W3cubDocs

/CSS

: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

Feature Chrome Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support 2 1.5 (1.8) 9 9.5 3.1
Feature Android Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support 2.1 1.0 (1.8) 9 10.0 3.1

© 2005–2017 Mozilla Developer Network and individual contributors.
Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License v2.5 or later.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/:only-child