.even()?.even() (since jQuery 3.5) reduces the matched set to elements at even zero-based indexes — 0, 2, 4, …. It takes no arguments. Returns a new jQuery object; does not change the DOM.
$("li").even(); // indexes 0, 2, 4 → items 1, 3, 5
$("ul li").even(); // official highlight demo
$("tr").even(); // zebra table rows (1st, 3rd, …)
// Indexes: 0 1 2 3 4
// Items: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
// .even() → ✓ ✓ ✓
// .odd() → ✓ ✓| Need | Use |
|---|---|
| Even indexes (0, 2, 4…) | $set.even() |
| Odd indexes (1, 3, 5…) | .odd() |
| Older jQuery | $("li:even") or .filter(":even") |
| One index | .eq(0) |
| Custom keep/drop | .filter() |
.even()Select a set, call .even(), then style or process the result.
$("ul li"))..even() — no arguments..append(), .addClass(), or .css() on the result.| Piece | Required? | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Matched set | Yes | Collection to reduce |
| Arguments | None | Method takes no parameters |
| Index base | — | Zero-based position in the set |
| Return value | — | New jQuery set (0 or more) |
call $(set).even()
result = empty set
for each element in set with index i (starting at 0):
if i % 2 === 0: // even index
add element to result
return result as a new jQuery object
// 5 items → keeps indexes 0, 2, 4 (1st, 3rd & 5th)Keep even/odd methods side by side.
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Syntax | .even() |
| Since | jQuery 3.5 |
| Keeps | Indexes 0, 2, 4, … |
vs .odd() | Odd indexes 1, 3, 5, … |
vs :even | Same idea; method needs 3.5+ |
vs CSS :nth-child(even) | CSS is 1-based; .even() is 0-based |
| DOM change? | No — query only |
From five list items, compare .even(), .odd(), and :even.
Short, copy-ready snippets. Open DevTools, or use Try It Yourself for a live editor.
$("li").even()Mark the 1st, 3rd, and 5th list items (jQuery API demo).
$("li").even().append(" [even]");li.$("ul li").even()Highlight even-indexed items inside a list (jQuery API example).
$("ul li").even().append(" [highlight]");$("ul li") limits the set to list items in the ul..even() keeps even indexes only.li is index 0 (even) — included..even() vs .odd()Split one list into two non-overlapping groups.
$("#demo li").even().append(" [even]");
$("#demo li").odd().append(" [odd]");.even() vs :evenSame zero-based idea — method (3.5+) vs selector.
var a = $("li").even().length;
var b = $("li:even").length;
$("#out").text(".even()=" + a + " · :even=" + b);.even() filters an existing set (needs 3.5+).:even works in older jQuery builds..even() when you already have a collection to chain.Mark every other data row using even indexes.
$("tbody tr").even().append(" ★");tbody tr so the header is ignored..odd() for the other stripe color.Why “even” can feel backwards at first.
.even() includes the first element. Everyday “2nd and 4th” thinking maps to .odd(), not .even().
On older builds use $("li:even") or .filter(":even").
:nth-child(even)CSS child counting is 1-based. jQuery .even() is 0-based on the matched set.
Order depends on your selector. Reordering the DOM can change which nodes are “even.”
.even() was added in jQuery 3.5. It works in every browser that runs jQuery 3.5+. For older jQuery, use the :even selector or .filter(":even").
Supported in jQuery 3.5 and later (including 3.7.x). Zero-based even indexes on the current matched set.
Bottom line: Safe on modern jQuery. Remember: counting starts at zero — the first item is even.
| Approach | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
.even() | Cheap | jQuery 3.5+ even indexes |
.filter(":even") | OK | Legacy jQuery before 3.5 |
$("li:even") | OK | Selector at query time |
| Narrower start set | Faster | Prefer $("ul li") over $("*") |
Prefer a scoped selection, then .even(). Cost is dominated by how large the starting set is, not by the even filter itself.
.even()..odd() for the other half.:even.One line: .even() keeps indexes 0, 2, 4… — the 1st, 3rd, and 5th items in everyday counting.
Keep matching elements from the current set with a selector or function.
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