Element.matches()

The matches() method checks to see if the Element would be selected by the provided selectorString -- in other words -- checks if the element "is" the selector.

Syntax

var result = element.matches(selectorString);

Parameters

selectorString is a string representing the selector to test.

Return value

result is a Boolean.

Exceptions

SYNTAX_ERR
The specified selector string is invalid.

Example

<ul id="birds">
  <li>Orange-winged parrot</li>
  <li class="endangered">Philippine eagle</li>
  <li>Great white pelican</li>
</ul>

<script type="text/javascript">
  var birds = document.getElementsByTagName('li');

  for (var i = 0; i < birds.length; i++) {
    if (birds[i].matches('.endangered')) {
      console.log('The ' + birds[i].textContent + ' is endangered!');
    }
  }
</script>

This will log "The Philippine eagle is endangered!" to the console, since the element has indeed a class attribute with value endangered.

Polyfill

For browsers that do not support Element.matches() or Element.matchesSelector(), but include support for document.querySelectorAll(), a polyfill exists:

if (!Element.prototype.matches) {
  Element.prototype.matches =
      Element.prototype.matchesSelector ||
      Element.prototype.mozMatchesSelector ||
      Element.prototype.msMatchesSelector ||
      Element.prototype.oMatchesSelector ||
      Element.prototype.webkitMatchesSelector ||
      function(s) {
        var matches = (this.document || this.ownerDocument).querySelectorAll(s),
            i = matches.length;
        while (--i >= 0 && matches.item(i) !== this) {}
        return i > -1;
      };
}

However, given the practicality of supporting older browsers, the following should suffice for most (if not all) practical cases (i.e. IE9+ support).

if (!Element.prototype.matches) {
  Element.prototype.matches = Element.prototype.msMatchesSelector ||
                              Element.prototype.webkitMatchesSelector;
}

Specification

Specification Status Comment
DOM
The definition of 'Element.prototype.matches' in that specification.
Living Standard Initial definition

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
matchesChrome Full support 33
Full support 33
Full support 4
Alternate Name
Alternate Name Uses the non-standard name: webkitMatchesSelector
Edge Full support ≤18
Full support ≤18
Full support ≤18
Alternate Name
Alternate Name Uses the non-standard name: webkitMatchesSelector
Full support 12
Alternate Name
Alternate Name Uses the non-standard name: msMatchesSelector
Firefox Full support 34
Full support 34
Full support 44
Alternate Name
Alternate Name Uses the non-standard name: webkitMatchesSelector
Full support 3.6
Notes Alternate Name
Notes Prior to Firefox 4, invalid selector strings caused false to be returned instead of throwing an exception.
Notes See bug 1119718 for removal.
Alternate Name Uses the non-standard name: mozMatchesSelector
IE Full support 9
Alternate Name
Full support 9
Alternate Name
Alternate Name Uses the non-standard name: msMatchesSelector
Opera Full support 21
Full support 21
Full support 15
Alternate Name
Alternate Name Uses the non-standard name: webkitMatchesSelector
No support 11.5 — 15
Alternate Name
Alternate Name Uses the non-standard name: oMatchesSelector
Safari Full support 7
Full support 7
Full support 5
Alternate Name
Alternate Name Uses the non-standard name: webkitMatchesSelector
WebView Android Full support 4.4
Full support 4.4
Full support ≤37
Alternate Name
Alternate Name Uses the non-standard name: webkitMatchesSelector
Chrome Android Full support 33
Full support 33
Full support 18
Alternate Name
Alternate Name Uses the non-standard name: webkitMatchesSelector
Firefox Android Full support 34
Full support 34
Full support 44
Alternate Name
Alternate Name Uses the non-standard name: webkitMatchesSelector
Full support 4
Notes Alternate Name
Notes See bug 1119718 for removal.
Alternate Name Uses the non-standard name: mozMatchesSelector
Opera Android Full support 21
Full support 21
Full support 14
Alternate Name
Alternate Name Uses the non-standard name: webkitMatchesSelector
No support 11.5 — 14
Alternate Name
Alternate Name Uses the non-standard name: oMatchesSelector
Safari iOS Full support 8
Full support 8
Full support 4.2
Alternate Name
Alternate Name Uses the non-standard name: webkitMatchesSelector
Samsung Internet Android Full support 2.0
Full support 2.0
Full support 1.0
Alternate Name
Alternate Name Uses the non-standard name: webkitMatchesSelector

Legend

Full support
Full support
See implementation notes.
See implementation notes.
Uses a non-standard name.
Uses a non-standard name.

See also