Node.parentNode

The Node.parentNode read-only property returns the parent of the specified node in the DOM tree.

Syntax

parentNode = node.parentNode

parentNode is the parent of the current node. The parent of an element is an Element node, a Document node, or a DocumentFragment node.

Example

if (node.parentNode) {
  // remove a node from the tree, unless
  // it's not in the tree already
  node.parentNode.removeChild(node);
}

Notes

Document and DocumentFragment nodes can never have a parent, so parentNode will always return null.

It also returns null if the node has just been created and is not yet attached to the tree.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
DOM
The definition of 'Node: parentNode' in that specification.
Living Standard

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
parentNodeChrome Full support 1Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 1IE Full support 5.5Opera Full support 7Safari Full support 1.1WebView Android Full support 1Chrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 4Opera Android Full support 10.1Safari iOS Full support 1Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0

Legend

Full support
Full support

See also