:focus-within

The :focus-within CSS pseudo-class matches an element if the element or any of its descendants are focused. In other words, it represents an element that is itself matched by the :focus pseudo-class or has a descendant that is matched by :focus. (This includes descendants in shadow trees.)

/* Selects a <div> when one of its descendants is focused */
div:focus-within {
  background: cyan;
}

This selector is useful, to take a common example, for highlighting an entire <form> container when the user focuses on one of its <input> fields.

Syntax

:focus-within

Examples

In this example, the form will receive special coloring styles when either text input receives focus.

HTML

<p>Try typing into this form.</p>

<form>
  <label for="given_name">Given Name:</label>
  <input id="given_name" type="text">
  <br>
  <label for="family_name">Family Name:</label>
  <input id="family_name" type="text">
</form>

CSS

form {
  border: 1px solid;
  color: gray;
  padding: 4px;
}

form:focus-within {
  background: #ff8;
  color: black;
}

input {
  margin: 4px;
}

Result

Specifications

Browser compatibility

See also

• :focus
• :focus-visible
• Grab your user's attention with the focus-within selector