Internet Stack.
CSS Stylesheets

CSS pseudo-elements allow for styling of specific parts of an element, such as the first letter or line.

CSS Pseudo-Elements: A Guide

CSS pseudo-elements are a powerful tool for styling webpages. They allow you to add extra elements to your page without having to write any extra HTML. In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of pseudo-elements, how to use them, best practices, and some examples.

Getting Started

To use pseudo-elements, you’ll need to add a few lines of code to your CSS stylesheet. The syntax for pseudo-elements is as follows:

selector::pseudo-element {
  property: value;
}

The selector is the HTML element you want to target, and the pseudo-element is the extra element you want to add. You can then add any CSS properties and values you want to style the pseudo-element.

How To

To use pseudo-elements, you’ll need to know the different types available. Here are the most common pseudo-elements:

  • ::before
  • ::after
  • ::first-letter
  • ::first-line
  • ::selection

The ::before and ::after pseudo-elements are the most commonly used. They allow you to add content before or after an element. For example, you could add a quote symbol before a blockquote element:

blockquote::before {
  content: '201C';
}

The ::first-letter and ::first-line pseudo-elements allow you to style the first letter or line of an element. For example, you could make the first letter of a paragraph larger than the rest:

p::first-letter {
  font-size: 2em;
}

Finally, the ::selection pseudo-element allows you to style the text that is selected by the user. For example, you could make the selected text bold:

::selection {
  font-weight: bold;
}

Best Practices

When using pseudo-elements, there are a few best practices to keep in mind. First, make sure to use the correct syntax. The pseudo-element must be preceded by two colons (::) and followed by a space. Second, make sure to use the correct selector. The selector should be the element you want to target, not the pseudo-element. Finally, make sure to use the correct property and value. For example, the content property should be used with a string value, not a number.

Popular website platforms

  • GoDaddy Website Builder — GoDaddy Website Builder is a powerful and easy-to-use website building platform that allows users to create a professional website in minutes.
  • WordPress.com — Create a free website or build a blog with ease on WordPress.com. Dozens of free, customizable, mobile-ready designs and themes. Free hosting and support.
  • Jimdo — Try Jimdo, the all-in-one small business solution. Websites, online stores, bookings, logos, SEO, analytics, domains, and hosting.
  • Webnode — Easily build your website with Webnode online editor. Domain names and hosting are included.
  • Weebly — Weebly’s free website builder makes it easy to build a website, blog, or online store. Find customizable designs, domains, and eCommerce tools for any type of business using our website builder.
  • Duda — Build and sell high-converting websites at scale with the Duda Professional Website Builder. Start your free trial today.
  • Squarespace — Squarespace is a website building platform that allows users to create beautiful, professional websites without any coding knowledge.
  • 10Web — Explore 10Web’s Automated Website Builder, Hosting, and PageSpeed Booster that automatically speeds up your websites and improves the Core Web Vitals.
  • WordPress.org — Open source software which you can use to easily create a beautiful website, blog, or app.
  • Bluehost — Bluehost is a leading web hosting provider, offering reliable, secure hosting for businesses of all sizes. With 24/7 support, a 99.9% uptime guarantee, and free domain and site builders, Bluehost is the perfect choice for your website.
  • SITE123 — Create a free website with SITE123. No design or coding skills required. SITE123 is by far the easiest free website builder. Create your website now!
  • Phonesites — Build High Converting Landing Pages on Your Phone in Minutes
  • VisualCV — VisualCV has everything you need to create an online resume and make your next career move.
  • Landingi — The fastest, easiest way to build high-converting landing pages
  • Volusion — Our ecommerce web design solutions will help you create your online store w/ a FREE 14-day trial of our shopping cart software. Grow your business today!
  • Pagecloud — The most intuitive platform to design, build, and launch your next website.
  • 3dcart — 3DCart is an ecommerce platform to help businesses create and manage an online store.
  • Shopify — Try Shopify free and start a business or grow an existing one. Get more than ecommerce software with tools to manage every part of your business.
  • Namecheap — Register domain names at Namecheap. Buy cheap domain names and enjoy 24/7 support. With over 16 million domains under management, you know you’re in good hands.
Upload file