A pseudo-element is a keyword added to a selector that lets you style specific parts of an element. For example, you can style the first line of a paragraph, add content before or after an element, or create complex effects with minimal code. Pseudo-elements are denoted by a double colon (::) (or : in legacy CSS).
Syntax
selector::pseudo-element{
property: value
}::(the double colon is a syntax for pseudo-elements)
Commonly Used CSS Pseudo-Elements
1. ::before
The ::before pseudo-element allows you to insert content before the actual content of an element.
HTML <!--Driver Code Starts{--> <html> <head> <!--Driver Code Ends }--> <style> p::before { content: "✨ "; color: gold; } </style> <!--Driver Code Starts{--> </head> <body> <p>This is a paragraph.</p> </body> </html> <!--Driver Code Ends }--> 2. ::after
Similar to ::before, the ::after pseudo-element inserts content after the element’s content. It is often used to add icons, styling cues, or additional details.
HTML <!--Driver Code Starts{--> <html> <head> <!--Driver Code Ends }--> <style> p::after { content: " 🔥"; color: red; } </style> <!--Driver Code Starts{--> </head> <body> <p>This is a paragraph.</p> </body> </html> <!--Driver Code Ends }--> 3. ::first-letter
The ::first-letter pseudo-element targets the first letter of a block of text, generally used for decorative initials in paragraphs.
HTML <!--Driver Code Starts{--> <html> <head> <!--Driver Code Ends }--> <style> p::first-letter { font-size: 2em; color: blue; } </style> <!--Driver Code Starts{--> </head> <body> <p>This is a paragraph.</p> </body> </html> <!--Driver Code Ends }--> 4. ::first-line
The ::first-line pseudo-element is used to style the first line of a block of text. It is particularly useful for emphasizing the introduction of paragraphs.
HTML <!--Driver Code Starts{--> <html> <head> <!--Driver Code Ends }--> <style> p::first-line { font-weight: bold; color: green; } </style> <!--Driver Code Starts{--> </head> <body> <p>This is a longer paragraph to demonstrate the <br> first-line styling in action.</p> </body> </html> <!--Driver Code Ends }--> 5. ::placeholder
The ::placeholder pseudo-element styles placeholder text inside input fields.
HTML <!--Driver Code Starts{--> <html> <head> <style> <!--Driver Code Ends }--> input::placeholder { color: gray; font-style: italic; } </style> </head> <!--Driver Code Starts{--> <body> <input type="text" placeholder="Enter your name"> </body> </html> <!--Driver Code Ends }--> 6. ::marker
Styles the marker of list items.
HTML <!--Driver Code Starts{--> <html> <head> <!--Driver Code Ends }--> <style> li::marker { color: purple; font-size: 1.5em; } </style> <!--Driver Code Starts{--> </head> <body> <ul> <li>First item</li> <li>Second item</li> <li>Third item</li> </ul> </body> </html> <!--Driver Code Ends }--> 7. ::selection
Styles the selected text.
HTML <!--Driver Code Starts{--> <html> <head> <!--Driver Code Ends }--> <style> ::selection { background: yellow; color:green; } </style> <!--Driver Code Starts{--> </head> <body> <p>Select some text in this paragraph to see the effect.</p> </body> </html> <!--Driver Code Ends }--> 8. ::backdrop
Styles the backdrop of modal elements like <dialog>. It helps to style the background of the dialog box opened as a modal on the screen of the user.
HTML <!--Driver Code Starts{--> <html> <head> <style> <!--Driver Code Ends }--> dialog::backdrop { background: rgba(232, 233, 0, 0.5); } <!--Driver Code Starts{--> dialog { border: none; padding: 20px; background: white; } </style> </head> <body> <dialog id="myDialog">This is a dialog box.</dialog> <script> const dialog = document.getElementById("myDialog"); if (dialog) { dialog.showModal(); } </script> </body> </html> <!--Driver Code Ends }--> Pseudo-elements for Specific Contexts
::file-selector-button for Media and Interactivity
This pseudo-element selector helps to style the button of a input type file.
HTML <!--Driver Code Starts{--> <html> <head> <!--Driver Code Ends }--> <style> ::file-selector-button { background-color: #4CAF50; color: white; padding: 10px 20px; border: none; border-radius: 5px; cursor: pointer; font-size: 16px; } ::file-selector-button:hover { background-color: #45a049; } </style> </head> <body> <!--Driver Code Starts{--> <h2>Custom File Selector Button</h2> <input type="file"> </body> </html> <!--Driver Code Ends }--> ::spelling-error for Error Handling
The ::spelling-error pseudo-element styles text that has been flagged as a spelling error by the browser’s spell-check functionality.
HTML <!--Driver Code Starts{--> <html> <head> <!--Driver Code Ends }--> <style> ::spelling-error { background-color: #ffdddd; text-decoration: underline solid red; } </style> <!--Driver Code Starts{--> </head> <body> <h2>Spelling Error Detection</h2> <input type="text" value="Ths is a splling eror" spellcheck="true"> </body> </html> <!--Driver Code Ends }--> Similar Reads
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