CSS Pseudo-elements

A CSS pseudo-element is used to style specified parts of an element. For example, it can be used to:

• Style the first letter, or line, of an element.
• Insert content before, or after, the content of an element.

Syntax

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

The ::first-line Pseudo-element

Used to add a special style to the first line of a text.

p::first-line {
  color: #ff0000;
  font-variant: small-caps;
}

The ::first-letter Pseudo-element

Used to add a special style to the first letter of a text.

p::first-letter {
  color: #ff0000;
  font-size: xx-large;
}

The ::before Pseudo-element

Used to insert some content before the content of an element.

h1::before {
  content: url(smiley.gif);
}

The ::after Pseudo-element

Used to insert some content after the content of an element.

h1::after {
  content: url(smiley.gif);
}

The ::selection Pseudo-element

Matches the portion of an element that is selected by a user (highlighted text).

::selection {
  color: red;
  background: yellow;
}