Css :first-of-type Example

The :first-of-type CSS pseudo-class represents the first element of its type among a group of sibling elements.

/* Selects any <p> that is the first element
   of its type among its siblings */
p:first-of-type {
  color: red;
}

Note: As originally defined, the selected element had to have a parent. Beginning with Selectors Level 4, this is no longer required.

Syntax

:first-of-type

Examples

Styling the first paragraph

HTML

<h2>Heading</h2>
<p>Paragraph 1</p>
<p>Paragraph 2</p>

CSS

p:first-of-type {
  color: red;
  font-style: italic;
}

Result

Nested elements

This example shows how nested elements can also be targeted. Note that the universal selector (*) is implied when no simple selector is written.

HTML

<article>
  <div>This `div` is first!</div>
  <div>This <span>nested `span` is first</span>!</div>
  <div>This <em>nested `em` is first</em>, but this <em>nested `em` is last</em>!</div>
  <div>This <span>nested `span` gets styled</span>!</div>
  <b>This `b` qualifies!</b>
  <div>This is the final `div`.</div>
</article>

CSS

article :first-of-type {
  background-color: pink;
}

Result

Specifications

Specification	Status	Comment
Selectors Level 4 The definition of ':first-of-type' in that specification.	Working Draft	Matching elements are not required to have a parent.
Selectors Level 3 The definition of ':first-of-type' in that specification.	Recommendation	Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

	Desktop						Mobile
	Chrome	Edge	Firefox	Internet Explorer	Opera	Safari	WebView Android	Chrome Android	Firefox for Android	Opera Android	Safari on IOS	Samsung Internet
:first-of-type	1	12 Before Edge 16, Microsoft Edge treats all unknown elements (such as custom elements) as the same element type.	3.5	9 Internet Explorer treats all unknown elements (such as custom elements) as the same element type.	9.5	3.2	2	18	4	10.1	3.2	1.0

See also

• 
  :first-child, :last-of-type, :nth-of-type