Node.parentElement

The Node.parentElement read-only property returns the DOM node's parent Element, or null if the node either has no parent, or its parent isn't a DOM Element.

Syntax

parentElement = node.parentElement

parentElement is the parent element of the current node. This is always a DOM Element object, or null.

Example

if (node.parentElement) {
    node.parentElement.style.color = "red";
}

Browser compatibility

On some browsers, the parentElement property is only defined on nodes that are themselves an Element. In particular, it is not defined on text nodes.

Specification

• DOM Level 4: Node.parentElementWD

See also

• Node.parentNode