CSS element+element Selector

Posted in CSS Tutorial

Updated on Oct 27, 2024

By Mari Selvan

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4 mins

3 Comments

Photo Credit to CodeToFun

Introduction

The element+element selector in CSS, also known as the adjacent sibling selector, is used to select an element that is directly preceded by a specified element.

This selector is useful for styling elements that are positioned next to each other in the document structure, allowing for targeted styling without affecting other similar elements.

Syntax

The signature of the element+element Selector is as follows:

Syntax

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element1 + element2 {
    /* CSS properties */
}

In this syntax, element1 is the first element, and element2 is the adjacent element that will be styled if it immediately follows element1.

Example

Here is an example of how to use the element+element selector in CSS:

HTML

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<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
    <title>CSS element+element Selector Example</title>
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">
</head>
<body>
    <h2>Section Title</h2>
    <p>This paragraph is adjacent to the heading.</p>
    <p>This paragraph is not adjacent to the heading.</p>
</body>
</html>

CSS

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h2 + p {
    color: blue;
    font-weight: bold;
    margin-top: 0;
}

In this example:

The paragraph immediately following the <h2> heading will be styled with blue text and bold font weight.
Any other paragraphs that do not directly follow an <h2> will not be affected.

Usage Tips

The adjacent sibling selector only targets the first sibling that follows the specified element. If you need to select all following siblings, consider using the general sibling selector (element ~ element).
Combine element+element with other selectors for more specific targeting, such as classes or IDs (e.g., .class1 + h2).

Common Pitfalls

Ensure that there is no whitespace or other elements between the two elements for the selector to work. The selector will not match if there are intervening elements.
Be mindful of browser compatibility, though most modern browsers support this selector without issues.

Conclusion

The element+element selector is a powerful and efficient way to style elements based on their adjacent relationship in the DOM.

By utilizing this selector, you can create more dynamic and visually appealing layouts while maintaining a clean and organized CSS structure. This selector is an essential tool for web developers looking to enhance their styling techniques.