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Cover image for What are :nth-child & :nth-of-type Selectors.
Youssef Zidan
Youssef Zidan

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What are :nth-child & :nth-of-type Selectors.

:nth-child Selector.

The :nth-child(n) selector matches every element that is the nth child, regardless of type, of its parent.

where n can be a number, a keyword, or a formula.

selector:nth-child(integer)

Select a specific child.

:nth-child(integer)

:nth-child(integer)

selector:nth-child(n).

Selects all children.

:nth-child(n)

selector:nth-child(2n).

Selects every second child.

:nth-child(2n)

selector:nth-child(3n).

Selects every third child.

:nth-child(3n)

selector:nth-child(n+3).

Selects the third child, as well as all subsequent children.

:nth-child(n+3)

selector:nth-child(-n+3).

Selects the first three children.

:nth-child(-n+3)

selector:nth-child(2n+5).

Starting from child number 5, Select every second child.

:nth-child(2n+5)

selector:nth-child(-2n+5).

Select every second child until child number 5.

:nth-child(2n+5)

selector:nth-child(odd).

Selects odd children.

:nth-child(odd)

selector:nth-child(even).

Selects even children.

:nth-child(even)

:nth-of-type Selector.

The :nth-of-type(n) selector works the same but of a particular type.

Example

html

<div class="container">
    <div class="parent">
      <div class="child"></div>
      <div class="child"></div>
      <div class="child"></div>
      <div class="child"></div>
      <div class="child"></div>
      <span class="child"></span>
      <span class="child"></span>
      <span class="child"></span>
      <span class="child"></span>
      <span class="child"></span>
    </div>
</div>
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css

.container{
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    height: 20%;
}
.parent {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: space-around;
    width: 100%;
}
.child, span {
    height: 50px;
    width: 50px;
    background-color: lightgray;
}

.child:nth-of-type(1){
    background-color: darkblue;
}
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Output

Select the first element of each type div and span.
:nth-of-type(1)


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manoharreddyporeddy profile image
Manohar Reddy Poreddy

Detailed information & Excellent presentation.
Great post.