The :first-child
CSS pseudo-class represents the first element among a group of sibling elements.
/* Selects any <p> element that is the first child of its parent element */ p:first-child { color: lime; background-color: black; }
Note: As originally defined, the selected element had to have a parent. Beginning with Selectors Level 4, this is no longer required.
Syntax
:first-child
Examples
Example 1
HTML
<div> <p>This p is styled, as it is a p AND the first child of its parent.</p> <p>This p is not styled; it is not the first child!</p> </div> <div> <h2>This h2 is not styled; it is not a p!</h2> <p>This p is not styled; it is not the first child!</p> </div>
CSS
p:first-child { color: lime; background-color: black; padding: 5px; }
Result
Example 2 - Using a list
HTML
<ul> <li>List 1</li> <li>List 2</li> <li>List 3</li> </ul>
CSS
li{ color: blue; } li:first-child { color: green; }
Result
Specifications
Specification | Status | Comment |
---|---|---|
Selectors Level 4 The definition of ':first-child' in that specification. |
Working Draft | Matching elements are not required to have a parent. |
Selectors Level 3 The definition of ':first-child' in that specification. |
Recommendation | No change. |
CSS Level 2 (Revision 1) The definition of ':first-child' in that specification. |
Recommendation | Initial definition. |
Browser compatibility
Feature | Chrome | Edge | Firefox (Gecko) | Internet Explorer | Opera | Safari |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic support | 4.0 | (Yes) | 3.0 (1.9) | 7[1] | 9.5 | 4 |
No parent required | 57 | ? | 51 (51)[2] | ? | 44 | ? |
Feature | Android Webview | Chrome for Android | Edge | Firefox Mobile (Gecko) | IE Mobile | Opera Mobile | Safari Mobile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic support | (Yes) | (Yes) | (Yes) | 1.0 (1.9.1) | 7[1] | 10 | 3.1 |
No parent required | 57 | 57 | 51.0 (51)[2] | ? | ? | 44 | ? |
[1] Internet Explorer 7 doesn't update the styles when elements are added dynamically. In Internet Explorer 8, if an element is inserted dynamically by clicking on a link the first-child style isn't applied until the link loses focus.
[2] See bug 1300374.
See also
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