:only-child

The :only-child CSS pseudo-class represents any element which is the only child of its parent. This is the same as :first-child:last-child or :nth-child(1):nth-last-child(1), but with a lower specificity.

Syntax

:only-child { style properties }

Examples

Basic example

span:only-child {
  color: red;
}

<div>
  <span>This span is the only child of its father</span>
</div>

<div>
  <span>This span is one of the two children of its father</span>
  <span>This span is one of the two children of its father</span>
</div> 

Result

A list example

li li {
  list-style-type: disc;
}
li:only-child {
  color: #6699ff;
  font-style: italic;
  list-style-type: square;
}

<ol>
  <li>First
    <ul>
      <li>This is only child element
    </ul>
  </li>
  <li>Second
    <ul>
      <li>This list has two elements
      <li>This list has two elements
    </ul>
  </li>
  <li>Third
    <ul>
      <li>This list has three elements
      <li>This list has three elements
      <li>This list has three elements
    </ul>
  </li>
<ol>

Result

Specifications

Specification	Status	Comment
Selectors Level 4 The definition of ':only-child' in that specification.	Working Draft	No change
Selectors Level 3 The definition of ':only-child' in that specification.	Recommendation	Initial definition

Browser compatibility