Is it possible to target the HTML element or root node using the nth-child selector?

Question

Is it possible to target the HTML element or root node using the nth-child selector?

During one of my teaching sessions, I was discussing the nth-child() pseudo-selector with a student. I posed the question: Can you use the nth-child selector to target any HTML element? The response I received was negative, as it is not possible to select the root node or the html element itself.

This realization came as a surprise to me, as I had previously believed that it was indeed possible to target the html element using nth-child(). Could it actually be done? If yes, what would be the correct method?

I am now eager to uncover the truth so that I can confidently provide accurate information to my students without overlooking any potential edge cases.

Your insights would be greatly appreciated.

html css

Answer 1

Answer №1

http://www.example.com/css3-selectors:

“The :nth-child(an+b) pseudo-class notation defines an element with an + b - 1 siblings preceding it in the hierarchical structure, for any non-negative integer value of n, and is a direct descendant of its parent element.”

Answer 2

http://www.example.com/css3-selectors:

“The :nth-child(an+b) pseudo-class notation defines an element with an + b - 1 siblings preceding it in the hierarchical structure, for any non-negative integer value of n, and is a direct descendant of its parent element.”

Answer 3

Answer №2

nth-child(n) will target all elements, with the exception of the html element, which is logical as it acts as the root element and does not have a parent element. This requirement of having a parent element was highlighted by CBroe.

body {
    border: 5px solid black;
    margin: 10px;
}
html {
    border: 5px dashed red;
}
:nth-child(n) {
    border: 5px dotted blue;
}

<body>
    <ul>
        <li>first</li>
        <li>second</li>
        <li>kevin</li>
    </ul>
</body>

Answer 4

nth-child(n) will target all elements, with the exception of the html element, which is logical as it acts as the root element and does not have a parent element. This requirement of having a parent element was highlighted by CBroe.

body {
    border: 5px solid black;
    margin: 10px;
}
html {
    border: 5px dashed red;
}
:nth-child(n) {
    border: 5px dotted blue;
}

<body>
    <ul>
        <li>first</li>
        <li>second</li>
        <li>kevin</li>
    </ul>
</body>

Is it possible to target the HTML element or root node using the nth-child selector?

Answer №1

Answer №2

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