Universal selectors

The CSS universal selector (*) matches elements of any type.

/* Selects all elements */
* {
  color: green;
}

Beginning with CSS3, the asterisk may be used in combination with namespaces:

  • ns|* - matches all elements in namespace ns
  • *|* - matches all elements
  • |* - matches all elements without any declared namespace

Syntax

* { style properties }

The asterisk is optional with simple selectors. For instance, *.warning and .warning are equivalent.

Examples

CSS

* [lang^=en] {
  color: green;
}

*.warning {
  color: red;
}

*#maincontent {
  border: 1px solid blue;
}

.floating {
  float: left
}

/* automatically clear the next sibling after a floating element */
.floating + * {
  clear: left;
}

HTML

<p class="warning">
  <span lang="en-us">A green span</span> in a red paragraph.
</p>
<p id="maincontent" lang="en-gb">
  <span class="warning">A red span</span> in a green paragraph.
</p>

Result

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
Selectors Level 4
The definition of 'universal selector' in that specification.
Working Draft No changes
Selectors Level 3
The definition of 'universal selector' in that specification.
Recommendation Defines behavior regarding namespaces and adds hint that omitting the selector is allowed within pseudo-elements
CSS Level 2 (Revision 1)
The definition of 'universal selector' in that specification.
Recommendation Initial definition

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
Universal selector (*)Chrome Full support 1Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 1IE Full support 7Opera Full support 3.5Safari Full support 1WebView Android Full support ≤37Chrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 4Opera Android Full support 10.1Safari iOS Full support 1Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0
Namespaces (*|*)Chrome Full support 1Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 1IE Full support 9Opera Full support 8Safari Full support 1.3WebView Android Full support ≤37Chrome 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