:scope

This is an experimental technology
Because this technology's specification has not stabilized, check the compatibility table for usage in various browsers. Also note that the syntax and behavior of an experimental technology is subject to change in future versions of browsers as the specification changes.

The :scope CSS pseudo-class matches the elements that are a reference point for selectors to match against. In HTML, a new reference point can be defined using the scoped attribute of the <style>. If no such attribute is used on an HTML page, the reference point is the <html> element.

/* Selects a scoped element */
:scope {
  background-color: lime;
}

Syntax

:scope

Example

<article>
  The element selected by :scope has a lime background if your browser supports scoped stylesheet.
  <section> 
    <p>Outside scope.</p>
  </section>
  <section>
    <style scoped>
      :scope { background-color: lime; }
    </style>
    <p>Inside scope.</p>
  </section>
  <section> 
    <p>Outside scope.</p>
  </section>
</article>

Live result

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
Selectors Level 4
The definition of ':scope' in that specification.		 Working Draft Initial definition

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support (static profile - stylesheets) (Yes)[1] (Yes)[2] No support 15[1] 7.0[1]
In .querySelector/.querySelectorAll (Yes) 32 No support 15[1] 7.0
Feature Android Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support (static profile - stylesheets) ? (Yes)[2] No support No support 7.0
In .querySelector/.querySelectorAll ? 32 No support No support 7.0

[1] Although Chrome and Safari register a match of the pseudo-class, and therefore apply the CSS rule, they do not yet support style scoping itself, with the consequence that the applied CSS rule floods beyond the intended portion of the document. It, thus, effectively and functionally equals to :root.

[2] Gecko 20 (Firefox 20) and later implement :scope pseudo-classes, but the preference layout.css.scope-pseudo.enabled must be set to true. It is only enabled by default in Nightly and Aurora test versions and since Gecko 32 (Firefox 32).

See also

Document Tags and Contributors

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 Contributors to this page: mfluehr, aristath, chrisdavidmills, RyanNerd, phistuck, Sebastianz, Ugoku, torbasow, mikemcg, claudepache, jcappell, HTMLValidator, rogerhc, avetisk, yisi, kscarfone, velvel53, teoli
 Last updated by: mfluehr,