The ::first-line
CSS pseudo-element applies styles to the first line of a block-level element. Note that the length of the first line depends on many factors, including the width of the element, the width of the document, and the font size of the text.
/* Selects the first line of a <p> */ p::first-line { color: red; }
CSS3 introduced the ::first-line
notation (with two colons) to distinguish pseudo-classes from pseudo-elements. Browsers also accept :first-line
, introduced in CSS2.
Allowable properties
Only a small subset of CSS properties can be used with the ::first-line
pseudo-element:
- All font-related properties:
font
,font-kerning
,font-style
,font-variant
,font-variant-numeric
,font-variant-position
,font-variant-east-asian
,font-variant-caps
,font-variant-alternates
,font-variant-ligatures
,font-synthesis
,font-feature-settings
,font-language-override
,font-weight
,font-size
,font-size-adjust
,font-stretch
, andfont-family
- All background-related properties:
background-color
,background-clip
,background-image
,background-origin
,background-position
,background-repeat
,background-size
,background-attachment
, andbackground-blend-mode
- The
color
property word-spacing
,letter-spacing
,text-decoration
,text-transform
, andline-height
text-shadow
,text-decoration
,text-decoration-color
,text-decoration-line
,text-decoration-style
, andvertical-align
.
Syntax
/* CSS3 syntax */ ::first-line /* CSS2 syntax */ :first-line
Examples
HTML
<p>Styles will only be applied to the first line of this paragraph. After that, all text will be styled like normal. See what I mean?</p> <span>The first line of this text will not receive special styling because it is not a block-level element.</span>
CSS
::first-line { color: blue; text-transform: uppercase; /* WARNING: DO NOT USE THESE */ /* Many properties are invalid in ::first-line pseudo-elements */ margin-left: 20px; text-indent: 20px; }
Result
Specifications
Specification | Status | Comment |
---|---|---|
CSS Pseudo-Elements Level 4 The definition of '::first-line' in that specification. |
Working Draft | Defines more strictly where ::first-letter can occur.Generalizes allowed properties to typesetting, text decoration, and inline layout properties and opacity .Defines the inheritance of ::first-letter . |
CSS Text Decoration Module Level 3 The definition of 'text-shadow with ::first-line' in that specification. |
Candidate Recommendation | Allows the use of text-shadow with ::first-letter . |
Selectors Level 3 The definition of '::first-line' in that specification. |
Recommendation | Introduction of the two-colon syntax. |
CSS Level 2 (Revision 1) The definition of '::first-line' in that specification. |
Recommendation | No change. |
CSS Level 1 The definition of '::first-line' in that specification. |
Recommendation | Initial definition, using the one-colon syntax. |
Browser compatibility
The compatibility table on this page is generated from structured data. If you'd like to contribute to the data, please check out https://github.com/mdn/browser-compat-data and send us a pull request.
Desktop | Mobile | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
::first-line | Chrome
Full support
1
| Edge
Full support
12
| Firefox
Full support
1
| IE
Full support
9
| Opera
Full support
7
| Safari
Full support
1
| WebView Android
Full support
≤37
| Chrome Android
Full support
18
| Firefox Android
Full support
4
| Opera Android
Full support
10.1
| Safari iOS
Full support
1
| Samsung Internet Android
Full support
1.0
|
Legend
- Full support
- Full support
- See implementation notes.
- See implementation notes.
- Uses a non-standard name.
- Uses a non-standard name.