.odd()?.odd() (since jQuery 3.5) reduces the matched set to elements at odd zero-based indexes — 1, 3, 5, …. It takes no arguments. Returns a new jQuery object; does not change the DOM.
$("li").odd(); // indexes 1, 3 → items 2 & 4
$("ul li").odd(); // official highlight demo
$("tr").odd(); // zebra table rows (2nd, 4th, …)
// Indexes: 0 1 2 3 4
// Items: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
// .odd() → ✓ ✓
// .even() → ✓ ✓ ✓| Need | Use |
|---|---|
| Odd indexes (1, 3, 5…) | $set.odd() |
| Even indexes (0, 2, 4…) | .even() |
| Older jQuery | $("li:odd") or .filter(":odd") |
| One index | .eq(1) |
| Custom keep/drop | .filter() / .not() |
.odd()Select a set, call .odd(), then style or process the result.
$("ul li"))..odd() — no arguments..odd()..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).odd()
result = empty set
for each element in set with index i (starting at 0):
if i % 2 === 1: // odd index
add element to result
return result as a new jQuery object
// 5 items → keeps indexes 1 and 3 (2nd & 4th)Keep odd/even methods side by side.
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Syntax | .odd() |
| Since | jQuery 3.5 |
| Keeps | Indexes 1, 3, 5, … |
vs .even() | Even indexes 0, 2, 4, … |
vs :odd | Same idea; method needs 3.5+ |
vs CSS :nth-child(odd) | CSS is 1-based; .odd() is 0-based |
| DOM change? | No — query only |
From five list items, compare .odd(), .even(), and :odd.
Short, copy-ready snippets. Open DevTools, or use Try It Yourself for a live editor.
$("li").odd()Mark the 2nd and 4th list items (jQuery API demo).
$("li").odd().append(" [odd]");li.$("ul li").odd()Highlight odd-indexed items inside a list (jQuery API example).
$("ul li").odd().append(" [highlight]");$("ul li") limits the set to list items in the ul..odd() keeps odd indexes only.li is index 0 (even) — skipped..odd() vs .even()Split one list into two non-overlapping groups.
$("#demo li").odd().append(" [odd]");
$("#demo li").even().append(" [even]");.odd() vs :oddSame zero-based idea — method (3.5+) vs selector.
var a = $("li").odd().length;
var b = $("li:odd").length;
$("#out").text(".odd()=" + a + " · :odd=" + b);.odd() filters an existing set (needs 3.5+).:odd works in older jQuery builds..odd() when you already have a collection to chain.Mark every other data row using odd indexes.
$("tbody tr").odd().append(" ★");tbody tr so the header is ignored..even() for the other stripe color.Why “odd” can feel backwards at first.
.odd() skips the first element. The 2nd visual item is the first “odd” index.
On older builds use $("li:odd") or .filter(":odd").
:nth-child(odd)CSS child counting is 1-based. jQuery .odd() is 0-based on the matched set.
Order depends on your selector. Reordering the DOM can change which nodes are “odd.”
.odd() was added in jQuery 3.5. It works in every browser that runs jQuery 3.5+. For older jQuery, use the :odd selector or .filter(":odd").
Supported in jQuery 3.5 and later (including 3.7.x). Zero-based odd 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 |
|---|---|---|
.odd() | Linear in set size | Alternating items in a known collection |
$("li:odd") | Similar | Older jQuery / one-shot select |
| Narrower start set | Faster | $("ul li") over $("*") |
Prefer a tight selector first, then .odd(). The method only walks the current matched set.
.even() for the other half.:odd on older jQuery builds.One line: .odd() keeps indexes 1, 3, 5… — the 2nd, 4th, 6th elements in your set.
Get the closest positioned ancestor for offset calculations.
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