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CSS :nth-child() Selector

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The :nth-child() CSS pseudo-class selector is used to match the elements based on their position in a group of siblings. It matches every element that is the nth-child, regardless of the type, of its parent.

Syntax:

:nth-child(number) {
    // CSS Property
}

Where number is the single argument that represents the pattern for matching elements. It can be odd, even, or in a functional notation.

  • odd: It represents elements whose position is odd in a series: 1, 3, 5, etc.
  • even: It represents the elements whose position is even in a series: 2, 4, 6, etc.
  • functional notation (<An+B>): It represents elements whose position of siblings matches the pattern An+B, for every positive integer or zero value of n. Here, A represents the integer step size, and B represents the integer offset.

Example 1: In this example, every odd paragraph is selected. The formula used is 2n+1 i.e 1, 3, 5, etc paragraphs are selected.

HTML




<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
 
<head>
    <title>CSS :nth-child Selector</title>
    <style>
        p:nth-child(2n+1) {
            background: green;
            color: white;
        }
    </style>
</head>
 
<body style="text-align:center">
    <h1 style="color:green;">
        GeeksforGeeks
    </h1>
    <h2>
        CSS :nth-child Selector
    </h2>
 
    <p>
        A computer science portal for geeks.
    </p>
 
    <p>
        Geeks classes an extensive classroom programme.
    </p>
 
</body>
 
</html>


Output:

nthchild

Example 2: In this example, every even <li> is selected i.e. 2, 4, 6, etc.

HTML




<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
 
<head>
    <title>CSS :nth-child Selector</title>
    <style>
        li {
            width: 30%;
        }
 
        li:nth-child(even) {
            background: green;
            color: white;
        }
    </style>
</head>
 
<body style="text-align:center">
    <h2>
        CSS :nth-child Selector
    </h2>
    <p>Sorting Algorithms</p>
    <ul>
        <li>Quick sort.</li>
        <li>Merge sort.</li>
        <li>Insertion sort.</li>
        <li>Selection sort.</li>
    </ul>
</body>
 
</html>


Output:

nthchild

Supported Browsers: The browser supported by :nth-child() selector are listed below:

  • Google Chrome 1.0
  • Microsoft Edge 12.0
  • Firefox 3.5
  • Opera 9.5
  • Apple Safari 3.1


Last Updated : 05 Jul, 2023
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