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css pseudo class

`:focus` CSS pseudo-class

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The :focus CSS pseudo-class represents an element (such as a form input) that has received focus. It is generally triggered when the user clicks or taps on an element or selects it with the keyboard’s Tab key.

Interactive exampleOpen the canonical MDN source to run this embedded demo.
label {
  display: block;
  margin-top: 1em;
}

input:focus {
  background-color: lightblue;
}

select:focus {
  background-color: ivory;
}
<form>
  <p>Which flavor would you like to order?</p>
  <label>Full Name: <input name="firstName" type="text" /></label>
  <label
    >Flavor:
    <select name="flavor">
      <option>Cherry</option>
      <option>Green Tea</option>
      <option>Moose Tracks</option>
      <option>Mint Chip</option>
    </select>
  </label>
</form>

[!NOTE] This pseudo-class applies only to the focused element itself. Use :focus-within if you want to select an element that contains a focused element.

Syntax

:focus {
  /* ... */
}

Accessibility

Make sure the visual focus indicator can be seen by people with low vision. This will also benefit anyone use a screen in a brightly lit space (like outside in the sun). WCAG 2.1 SC 1.4.11 Non-Text Contrast requires that the visual focus indicator be at least 3 to 1.

:focus { outline: none; }

Never just remove the focus outline (visible focus indicator) without replacing it with a focus outline that will pass WCAG 2.1 SC 1.4.11 Non-Text Contrast.

Examples

HTML

<div><input class="red-input" value="I'll be red when focused." /></div>
<div><input class="blue-input" value="I'll be blue when focused." /></div>

CSS

.red-input:focus {
  background: yellow;
  color: red;
}

.blue-input:focus {
  background: yellow;
  color: blue;
}

Result

Interactive exampleOpen the canonical MDN source to run this embedded demo.

Specifications

SpecificationsStandards references are available on the canonical MDN page.

Browser compatibility

Browser compatibilityCompatibility data is available on the canonical MDN page.

See also