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:first-child

The :first-child CSS pseudo-class represents the first element among a group of sibling elements.

/* Selects any <p> that is the first element
   among its siblings */
p:first-child {
  color: lime;
}

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

Basic example

HTML

<div>
  <p>This text is selected!</p>
  <p>This text isn't selected.</p>
</div>

<div>
  <h2>This text isn't selected: it's not a `p`.</h2>
  <p>This text isn't selected.</p>
</div>

CSS

p:first-child {
  color: lime;
  background-color: black;
  padding: 5px;
}

Result

Styling a list

HTML

<ul>
  <li>Item 1</li>
  <li>Item 2</li>
  <li>Item 3
    <ul>
      <li>Item 3.1</li>
      <li>Item 3.2</li>
      <li>Item 3.3</li>
    </ul>
  </li>
</ul>

CSS

ul li {
  color: blue;
}

ul li:first-child {
  color: red;
  font-weight: bold;
}

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 Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support 4 Yes 3 71 2 9.5 3.1
Matches elements with no parent 57 ? 52 ? 44 ?
Feature Android webview Chrome for Android Edge mobile Firefox for Android Opera Android iOS Safari Samsung Internet
Basic support Yes Yes Yes 4 9.5 4 ?
Matches elements with no parent 57 57 ? 52 44 ? ?

1. Internet Explorer 7 doesn't update :first-child styles when elements are added dynamically.

2. In Internet Explorer 8, if an element is inserted dynamically by clicking on a link, then the :first-child style isn't applied until the link loses focus.

See also

© 2005–2018 Mozilla Developer Network and individual contributors.
Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License v2.5 or later.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/:first-child