CINXE.COM

<!doctype html><html lang="en-US" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#"><head><meta charSet="utf-8"/><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width,initial-scale=1"/><link rel="icon" href="https://developer.mozilla.org/favicon-48x48.bc390275e955dacb2e65.png"/><link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://developer.mozilla.org/apple-touch-icon.528534bba673c38049c2.png"/><meta name="theme-color" content="#ffffff"/><link rel="manifest" href="https://developer.mozilla.org/manifest.f42880861b394dd4dc9b.json"/><link rel="search" type="application/opensearchdescription+xml" href="/opensearch.xml" title="MDN Web Docs"/><title>Combinators - Learn web development | MDN</title><link rel="alternate" title="Kombinatoren" href="https://developer.mozilla.org/de/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators" hrefLang="de"/><link rel="alternate" title="Combinadores" href="https://developer.mozilla.org/es/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators" hrefLang="es"/><link rel="alternate" title="Combinateurs" href="https://developer.mozilla.org/fr/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators" hrefLang="fr"/><link rel="alternate" title="結合子" href="https://developer.mozilla.org/ja/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators" hrefLang="ja"/><link rel="alternate" title="결합자" href="https://developer.mozilla.org/ko/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators" hrefLang="ko"/><link rel="alternate" title="Комбинаторы" href="https://developer.mozilla.org/ru/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators" hrefLang="ru"/><link rel="alternate" title="关系选择器" href="https://developer.mozilla.org/zh-CN/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators" hrefLang="zh"/><link rel="alternate" title="Combinators" href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators" hrefLang="en"/><link rel="preload" as="font" type="font/woff2" href="/static/media/Inter.var.c2fe3cb2b7c746f7966a.woff2" crossorigin=""/><link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="MDN Blog RSS Feed" href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/blog/rss.xml" hrefLang="en"/><meta name="description" content="The final selectors we will look at are called combinators. Combinators are used to combine other selectors in a way that allows us to select elements based on their location in the DOM relative to other elements (for example, child or sibling)."/><meta property="og:url" content="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators"/><meta property="og:title" content="Combinators - Learn web development | MDN"/><meta property="og:type" content="website"/><meta property="og:locale" content="en_US"/><meta property="og:description" content="The final selectors we will look at are called combinators. Combinators are used to combine other selectors in a way that allows us to select elements based on their location in the DOM relative to other elements (for example, child or sibling)."/><meta property="og:image" content="https://developer.mozilla.org/mdn-social-share.d893525a4fb5fb1f67a2.png"/><meta property="og:image:type" content="image/png"/><meta property="og:image:height" content="1080"/><meta property="og:image:width" content="1920"/><meta property="og:image:alt" content="The MDN Web Docs logo, featuring a blue accent color, displayed on a solid black background."/><meta property="og:site_name" content="MDN Web Docs"/><meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/><meta name="twitter:creator" content="MozDevNet"/><link rel="canonical" href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators"/><style media="print">.article-actions-container,.document-toc-container,.language-menu,.main-menu-toggle,.on-github,.page-footer,.place,.sidebar,.top-banner,.top-navigation-main,ul.prev-next{display:none!important}.main-page-content,.main-page-content pre{padding:2px}.main-page-content pre{border-left-width:2px}</style><script src="/static/js/gtag.js" defer=""></script><script defer="" src="/static/js/main.a44547d8.js"></script><link href="/static/css/main.6ca4d473.css" rel="stylesheet"/></head><body><script>if(document.body.addEventListener("load",(t=>{t.target.classList.contains("interactive")&&t.target.setAttribute("data-readystate","complete")}),{capture:!0}),window&&document.documentElement){const t={light:"#ffffff",dark:"#1b1b1b"};try{const e=window.localStorage.getItem("theme");e&&(document.documentElement.className=e,document.documentElement.style.backgroundColor=t[e]);const o=window.localStorage.getItem("nop");o&&(document.documentElement.dataset.nop=o)}catch(t){console.warn("Unable to read theme from localStorage",t)}}</script><div id="root"><ul id="nav-access" class="a11y-nav"><li><a id="skip-main" href="#content">Skip to main content</a></li><li><a id="skip-search" href="#top-nav-search-input">Skip to search</a></li><li><a id="skip-select-language" href="#languages-switcher-button">Skip to select language</a></li></ul><div class="page-wrapper category-css document-page"><div class="top-banner loading"><section class="place top container"></section></div><div class="sticky-header-container"><header class="top-navigation "><div class="container "><div class="top-navigation-wrap"><a href="/en-US/" class="logo" aria-label="MDN homepage"><svg id="mdn-docs-logo" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" x="0" y="0" viewBox="0 0 694.9 104.4" style="enable-background:new 0 0 694.9 104.4" xml:space="preserve" role="img"><title>MDN Web Docs</title><path d="M40.3 0 11.7 92.1H0L28.5 0h11.8zm10.4 0v92.1H40.3V0h10.4zM91 0 62.5 92.1H50.8L79.3 0H91zm10.4 0v92.1H91V0h10.4z" class="logo-m"></path><path d="M627.9 95.6h67v8.8h-67v-8.8z" class="logo-_"></path><path d="M367 42h-4l-10.7 30.8h-5.5l-10.8-26h-.4l-10.5 26h-5.2L308.7 42h-3.8v-5.6H323V42h-6.5l6.8 20.4h.4l10.3-26h4.7l11.2 26h.5l5.7-20.3h-6.2v-5.6H367V42zm34.9 20c-.4 3.2-2 5.9-4.7 8.2-2.8 2.3-6.5 3.4-11.3 3.4-5.4 0-9.7-1.6-13.1-4.7-3.3-3.2-5-7.7-5-13.7 0-5.7 1.6-10.3 4.7-14s7.4-5.5 12.9-5.5c5.1 0 9.1 1.6 11.9 4.7s4.3 6.9 4.3 11.3c0 1.5-.2 3-.5 4.7h-25.6c.3 7.7 4 11.6 10.9 11.6 2.9 0 5.1-.7 6.5-2 1.5-1.4 2.5-3 3-4.9l6 .9zM394 51.3c.2-2.4-.4-4.7-1.8-6.9s-3.8-3.3-7-3.3c-3.1 0-5.3 1-6.9 3-1.5 2-2.5 4.4-2.8 7.2H394zm51 2.4c0 5-1.3 9.5-4 13.7s-6.9 6.2-12.7 6.2c-6 0-10.3-2.2-12.7-6.7-.1.4-.2 1.4-.4 2.9s-.3 2.5-.4 2.9h-7.3c.3-1.7.6-3.5.8-5.3.3-1.8.4-3.7.4-5.5V22.3h-6v-5.6H416v27c1.1-2.2 2.7-4.1 4.7-5.7 2-1.6 4.8-2.4 8.4-2.4 4.6 0 8.4 1.6 11.4 4.7 3 3.2 4.5 7.6 4.5 13.4zm-7.7.6c0-4.2-1-7.4-3-9.5-2-2.2-4.4-3.3-7.4-3.3-3.4 0-6 1.2-8 3.7-1.9 2.4-2.9 5-3 7.7V57c0 3 1 5.6 3 7.7s4.5 3.1 7.6 3.1c3.6 0 6.3-1.3 8.1-3.9 1.8-2.7 2.7-5.9 2.7-9.6zm69.2 18.5h-13.2v-7.2c-1.2 2.2-2.8 4.1-4.9 5.6-2.1 1.6-4.8 2.4-8.3 2.4-4.8 0-8.7-1.6-11.6-4.9-2.9-3.2-4.3-7.7-4.3-13.3 0-5 1.3-9.6 4-13.7 2.6-4.1 6.9-6.2 12.8-6.2 5.7 0 9.8 2.2 12.3 6.5V22.3h-8.6v-5.6h15.8v50.6h6v5.5zM493.2 56v-4.4c-.1-3-1.2-5.5-3.2-7.3s-4.4-2.8-7.2-2.8c-3.6 0-6.3 1.3-8.2 3.9-1.9 2.6-2.8 5.8-2.8 9.6 0 4.1 1 7.3 3 9.5s4.5 3.3 7.4 3.3c3.2 0 5.8-1.3 7.8-3.8 2.1-2.6 3.1-5.3 3.2-8zm53.1-1.4c0 5.6-1.8 10.2-5.3 13.7s-8.2 5.3-13.9 5.3-10.1-1.7-13.4-5.1c-3.3-3.4-5-7.9-5-13.5 0-5.3 1.6-9.9 4.7-13.7 3.2-3.8 7.9-5.7 14.2-5.7s11 1.9 14.1 5.7c3 3.7 4.6 8.1 4.6 13.3zm-7.7-.2c0-4-1-7.2-3-9.5s-4.8-3.5-8.2-3.5c-3.6 0-6.4 1.2-8.3 3.7s-2.9 5.6-2.9 9.5c0 3.7.9 6.8 2.8 9.4 1.9 2.6 4.6 3.9 8.3 3.9 3.6 0 6.4-1.3 8.4-3.8 1.9-2.6 2.9-5.8 2.9-9.7zm45 5.8c-.4 3.2-1.9 6.3-4.4 9.1-2.5 2.9-6.4 4.3-11.8 4.3-5.2 0-9.4-1.6-12.6-4.8-3.2-3.2-4.8-7.7-4.8-13.7 0-5.5 1.6-10.1 4.7-13.9 3.2-3.8 7.6-5.7 13.2-5.7 2.3 0 4.6.3 6.7.8 2.2.5 4.2 1.5 6.2 2.9l1.5 9.5-5.9.7-1.3-6.1c-2.1-1.2-4.5-1.8-7.2-1.8-3.5 0-6.1 1.2-7.7 3.7-1.7 2.5-2.5 5.7-2.5 9.6 0 4.1.9 7.3 2.7 9.5 1.8 2.3 4.4 3.4 7.8 3.4 5.2 0 8.2-2.9 9.2-8.8l6.2 1.3zm34.7 1.9c0 3.6-1.5 6.5-4.6 8.5s-7 3-11.7 3c-5.7 0-10.6-1.2-14.6-3.6l1.2-8.8 5.7.6-.2 4.7c1.1.5 2.3.9 3.6 1.1s2.6.3 3.9.3c2.4 0 4.5-.4 6.5-1.3 1.9-.9 2.9-2.2 2.9-4.1 0-1.8-.8-3.1-2.3-3.8s-3.5-1.3-5.8-1.7-4.6-.9-6.9-1.4c-2.3-.6-4.2-1.6-5.7-2.9-1.6-1.4-2.3-3.5-2.3-6.3 0-4.1 1.5-6.9 4.6-8.5s6.4-2.4 9.9-2.4c2.6 0 5 .3 7.2.9 2.2.6 4.3 1.4 6.1 2.4l.8 8.8-5.8.7-.8-5.7c-2.3-1-4.7-1.6-7.2-1.6-2.1 0-3.7.4-5.1 1.1-1.3.8-2 2-2 3.8 0 1.7.8 2.9 2.3 3.6 1.5.7 3.4 1.2 5.7 1.6 2.2.4 4.5.8 6.7 1.4 2.2.6 4.1 1.6 5.7 3 1.4 1.6 2.2 3.7 2.2 6.6zM197.6 73.2h-17.1v-5.5h3.8V51.9c0-3.7-.7-6.3-2.1-7.9-1.4-1.6-3.3-2.3-5.7-2.3-3.2 0-5.6 1.1-7.2 3.4s-2.4 4.6-2.5 6.9v15.6h6v5.5h-17.1v-5.5h3.8V51.9c0-3.8-.7-6.4-2.1-7.9-1.4-1.5-3.3-2.3-5.6-2.3-3.2 0-5.5 1.1-7.2 3.3-1.6 2.2-2.4 4.5-2.5 6.9v15.8h6.9v5.5h-20.2v-5.5h6V42.4h-6.1v-5.6h13.4v6.4c1.2-2.1 2.7-3.8 4.7-5.2 2-1.3 4.4-2 7.3-2s5.3.7 7.5 2.1c2.2 1.4 3.7 3.5 4.5 6.4 1.1-2.5 2.7-4.5 4.9-6.1s4.8-2.4 7.9-2.4c3.5 0 6.5 1.1 8.9 3.3s3.7 5.6 3.7 10.2v18.2h6.1v5.5zm42.5 0h-13.2V66c-1.2 2.2-2.8 4.1-4.9 5.6-2.1 1.6-4.8 2.4-8.3 2.4-4.8 0-8.7-1.6-11.6-4.9-2.9-3.2-4.3-7.7-4.3-13.3 0-5 1.3-9.6 4-13.7 2.6-4.1 6.9-6.2 12.8-6.2s9.8 2.2 12.3 6.5V22.7h-8.6v-5.6h15.8v50.6h6v5.5zm-13.3-16.8V52c-.1-3-1.2-5.5-3.2-7.3s-4.4-2.8-7.2-2.8c-3.6 0-6.3 1.3-8.2 3.9-1.9 2.6-2.8 5.8-2.8 9.6 0 4.1 1 7.3 3 9.5s4.5 3.3 7.4 3.3c3.2 0 5.8-1.3 7.8-3.8 2.1-2.6 3.1-5.3 3.2-8zm61.5 16.8H269v-5.5h6V51.9c0-3.7-.7-6.3-2.2-7.9-1.4-1.6-3.4-2.3-5.7-2.3-3.1 0-5.6 1-7.4 3s-2.8 4.4-2.9 7v15.9h6v5.5h-19.3v-5.5h6V42.4h-6.2v-5.6h13.6V43c2.6-4.6 6.8-6.9 12.7-6.9 3.6 0 6.7 1.1 9.2 3.3s3.7 5.6 3.7 10.2v18.2h6v5.4h-.2z" class="logo-text"></path></svg></a><button title="Open main menu" type="button" class="button action has-icon main-menu-toggle" aria-haspopup="menu" aria-label="Open main menu" aria-expanded="false"><span class="button-wrap"><span class="icon icon-menu "></span><span class="visually-hidden">Open main menu</span></span></button></div><div class="top-navigation-main"><nav class="main-nav" aria-label="Main menu"><ul class="main-menu nojs"><li class="top-level-entry-container "><button type="button" id="references-button" class="top-level-entry menu-toggle" aria-controls="references-menu" aria-expanded="false">References</button><a href="/en-US/docs/Web" class="top-level-entry">References</a><ul id="references-menu" class="submenu references hidden inline-submenu-lg" aria-labelledby="references-button"><li class="apis-link-container mobile-only "><a href="/en-US/docs/Web" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">Overview / Web Technology</div><p class="submenu-item-description">Web technology reference for developers</p></div></a></li><li class="html-link-container "><a href="/en-US/docs/Web/HTML" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon html"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">HTML</div><p class="submenu-item-description">Structure of content on the web</p></div></a></li><li class="css-link-container "><a href="/en-US/docs/Web/CSS" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon css"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">CSS</div><p class="submenu-item-description">Code used to describe document style</p></div></a></li><li class="javascript-link-container "><a href="/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon javascript"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">JavaScript</div><p class="submenu-item-description">General-purpose scripting language</p></div></a></li><li class="http-link-container "><a href="/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon http"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">HTTP</div><p class="submenu-item-description">Protocol for transmitting web resources</p></div></a></li><li class="apis-link-container "><a href="/en-US/docs/Web/API" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon apis"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">Web APIs</div><p class="submenu-item-description">Interfaces for building web applications</p></div></a></li><li class="apis-link-container "><a href="/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">Web Extensions</div><p class="submenu-item-description">Developing extensions for web browsers</p></div></a></li><li class=" "><a href="/en-US/docs/Web/Accessibility" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">Accessibility</div><p class="submenu-item-description">Build web projects usable for all</p></div></a></li><li class="apis-link-container desktop-only "><a href="/en-US/docs/Web" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">Web Technology</div><p class="submenu-item-description">Web technology reference for developers</p></div></a></li></ul></li><li class="top-level-entry-container active"><button type="button" id="learn-button" class="top-level-entry menu-toggle" aria-controls="learn-menu" aria-expanded="false">Learn</button><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development" class="top-level-entry">Learn</a><ul id="learn-menu" class="submenu learn hidden inline-submenu-lg" aria-labelledby="learn-button"><li class="apis-link-container mobile-only "><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon learn"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">Overview / MDN Learning Area</div><p class="submenu-item-description">Learn web development</p></div></a></li><li class="apis-link-container desktop-only "><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon learn"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">MDN Learning Area</div><p class="submenu-item-description">Learn web development</p></div></a></li><li class="html-link-container "><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon html"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">HTML</div><p class="submenu-item-description">Learn to structure web content with HTML</p></div></a></li><li class="css-link-container "><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon css"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">CSS</div><p class="submenu-item-description">Learn to style content using CSS</p></div></a></li><li class="javascript-link-container "><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon javascript"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">JavaScript</div><p class="submenu-item-description">Learn to run scripts in the browser</p></div></a></li><li class=" "><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Accessibility" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">Accessibility</div><p class="submenu-item-description">Learn to make the web accessible to all</p></div></a></li></ul></li><li class="top-level-entry-container "><button type="button" id="mdn-plus-button" class="top-level-entry menu-toggle" aria-controls="mdn-plus-menu" aria-expanded="false">Plus</button><a href="/en-US/plus" class="top-level-entry">Plus</a><ul id="mdn-plus-menu" class="submenu mdn-plus hidden inline-submenu-lg" aria-labelledby="mdn-plus-button"><li class=" "><a href="/en-US/plus" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">Overview</div><p class="submenu-item-description">A customized MDN experience</p></div></a></li><li class=" "><a href="/en-US/plus/ai-help" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">AI Help</div><p class="submenu-item-description">Get real-time assistance and support</p></div></a></li><li class=" "><a href="/en-US/plus/updates" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">Updates</div><p class="submenu-item-description">All browser compatibility updates at a glance</p></div></a></li><li class=" "><a href="/en-US/plus/docs/features/overview" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">Documentation</div><p class="submenu-item-description">Learn how to use MDN Plus</p></div></a></li><li class=" "><a href="/en-US/plus/docs/faq" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">FAQ</div><p class="submenu-item-description">Frequently asked questions about MDN Plus</p></div></a></li></ul></li><li class="top-level-entry-container "><a class="top-level-entry menu-link" href="/en-US/curriculum/">Curriculum <sup class="new">New</sup></a></li><li class="top-level-entry-container "><a class="top-level-entry menu-link" href="/en-US/blog/">Blog</a></li><li class="top-level-entry-container "><button type="button" id="tools-button" class="top-level-entry menu-toggle" aria-controls="tools-menu" aria-expanded="false">Tools</button><ul id="tools-menu" class="submenu tools hidden inline-submenu-lg" aria-labelledby="tools-button"><li class=" "><a href="/en-US/play" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">Playground</div><p class="submenu-item-description">Write, test and share your code</p></div></a></li><li class=" "><a href="/en-US/observatory" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">HTTP Observatory</div><p class="submenu-item-description">Scan a website for free</p></div></a></li><li class=" "><a href="/en-US/plus/ai-help" class="submenu-item "><div class="submenu-icon"></div><div class="submenu-content-container"><div class="submenu-item-heading">AI Help</div><p class="submenu-item-description">Get real-time assistance and support</p></div></a></li></ul></li></ul></nav><div class="header-search"><form action="/en-US/search" class="search-form search-widget" id="top-nav-search-form" role="search"><label id="top-nav-search-label" for="top-nav-search-input" class="visually-hidden">Search MDN</label><input aria-activedescendant="" aria-autocomplete="list" aria-controls="top-nav-search-menu" aria-expanded="false" aria-labelledby="top-nav-search-label" autoComplete="off" id="top-nav-search-input" role="combobox" type="search" class="search-input-field" name="q" placeholder=" " required="" value=""/><button type="button" class="button action has-icon clear-search-button"><span class="button-wrap"><span class="icon icon-cancel "></span><span class="visually-hidden">Clear search input</span></span></button><button type="submit" class="button action has-icon search-button"><span class="button-wrap"><span class="icon icon-search "></span><span class="visually-hidden">Search</span></span></button><div id="top-nav-search-menu" role="listbox" aria-labelledby="top-nav-search-label"></div></form></div><div class="theme-switcher-menu"><button type="button" class="button action has-icon theme-switcher-menu small" aria-haspopup="menu"><span class="button-wrap"><span class="icon icon-theme-os-default "></span>Theme</span></button></div><ul class="auth-container"><li><a href="/users/fxa/login/authenticate/?next=%2Fen-US%2Fdocs%2FLearn_web_development%2FCore%2FStyling_basics%2FCombinators" class="login-link" rel="nofollow">Log in</a></li><li><a href="/users/fxa/login/authenticate/?next=%2Fen-US%2Fdocs%2FLearn_web_development%2FCore%2FStyling_basics%2FCombinators" target="_self" rel="nofollow" class="button primary mdn-plus-subscribe-link"><span class="button-wrap">Sign up for free</span></a></li></ul></div></div></header><div class="article-actions-container"><div class="container"><button type="button" class="button action has-icon sidebar-button" aria-label="Expand sidebar" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="sidebar-quicklinks"><span class="button-wrap"><span class="icon icon-sidebar "></span></span></button><nav class="breadcrumbs-container" aria-label="Breadcrumb"><ol typeof="BreadcrumbList" vocab="https://schema.org/" aria-label="breadcrumbs"><li property="itemListElement" typeof="ListItem"><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development" class="breadcrumb" property="item" typeof="WebPage"><span property="name">Learn</span></a><meta property="position" content="1"/></li><li property="itemListElement" typeof="ListItem"><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core" class="breadcrumb" property="item" typeof="WebPage"><span property="name">Core learning modules</span></a><meta property="position" content="2"/></li><li property="itemListElement" typeof="ListItem"><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics" class="breadcrumb" property="item" typeof="WebPage"><span property="name">CSS styling basics</span></a><meta property="position" content="3"/></li><li property="itemListElement" typeof="ListItem"><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators" class="breadcrumb-current-page" property="item" typeof="WebPage"><span property="name">Combinators</span></a><meta property="position" content="4"/></li></ol></nav><div class="article-actions"><button type="button" class="button action has-icon article-actions-toggle" aria-label="Article actions"><span class="button-wrap"><span class="icon icon-ellipses "></span><span class="article-actions-dialog-heading">Article Actions</span></span></button><ul class="article-actions-entries"><li class="article-actions-entry"><div class="languages-switcher-menu open-on-focus-within"><button id="languages-switcher-button" type="button" class="button action small has-icon languages-switcher-menu" aria-haspopup="menu"><span class="button-wrap"><span class="icon icon-language "></span>English (US)</span></button><div class="hidden"><ul class="submenu language-menu " aria-labelledby="language-menu-button"><li class=" "><form class="submenu-item locale-redirect-setting"><div class="group"><label class="switch"><input type="checkbox" name="locale-redirect"/><span class="slider"></span><span class="label">Remember language</span></label><a href="https://github.com/orgs/mdn/discussions/739" rel="external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Enable this setting to automatically switch to this language when it's available. (Click to learn more.)"><span class="icon icon-question-mark "></span></a></div></form></li><li class=" "><a data-locale="de" href="/de/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators" class="button submenu-item"><span>Deutsch</span><span title="Diese Übersetzung ist Teil eines Experiments."><span class="icon icon-experimental "></span></span></a></li><li class=" "><a data-locale="es" href="/es/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators" class="button submenu-item"><span>Español</span></a></li><li class=" "><a data-locale="fr" href="/fr/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators" class="button submenu-item"><span>Français</span></a></li><li class=" "><a data-locale="ja" href="/ja/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators" class="button submenu-item"><span>日本語</span></a></li><li class=" "><a data-locale="ko" href="/ko/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators" class="button submenu-item"><span>한국어</span></a></li><li class=" "><a data-locale="ru" href="/ru/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators" class="button submenu-item"><span>Русский</span></a></li><li class=" "><a data-locale="zh-CN" href="/zh-CN/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators" class="button submenu-item"><span>中文 (简体)</span></a></li></ul></div></div></li></ul></div></div></div></div><div class="main-wrapper"><div class="sidebar-container"><aside id="sidebar-quicklinks" class="sidebar"><button type="button" class="button action backdrop" aria-label="Collapse sidebar"><span class="button-wrap"></span></button><nav aria-label="Related Topics" class="sidebar-inner"><header class="sidebar-actions"><section class="sidebar-filter-container"><div class="sidebar-filter "><label id="sidebar-filter-label" class="sidebar-filter-label" for="sidebar-filter-input"><span class="icon icon-filter"></span><span class="visually-hidden">Filter sidebar</span></label><input id="sidebar-filter-input" autoComplete="off" class="sidebar-filter-input-field false" type="text" placeholder="Filter" value=""/><button type="button" class="button action has-icon clear-sidebar-filter-button"><span class="button-wrap"><span class="icon icon-cancel "></span><span class="visually-hidden">Clear filter input</span></span></button></div></section></header><div class="sidebar-inner-nav"><div class="in-nav-toc"><div class="document-toc-container"><section class="document-toc"><header><h2 class="document-toc-heading">In this article</h2></header><ul class="document-toc-list"><li class="document-toc-item "><a class="document-toc-link" href="#descendant_combinator">Descendant combinator</a></li><li class="document-toc-item "><a class="document-toc-link" href="#child_combinator">Child combinator</a></li><li class="document-toc-item "><a class="document-toc-link" href="#next-sibling_combinator">Next-sibling combinator</a></li><li class="document-toc-item "><a class="document-toc-link" href="#subsequent-sibling_combinator">Subsequent-sibling combinator</a></li><li class="document-toc-item "><a class="document-toc-link" href="#creating_complex_selectors_with_nesting">Creating complex selectors with nesting</a></li><li class="document-toc-item "><a class="document-toc-link" href="#combining_combinators_with_selectors">Combining combinators with selectors</a></li><li class="document-toc-item "><a class="document-toc-link" href="#test_your_skills!">Test your skills!</a></li><li class="document-toc-item "><a class="document-toc-link" href="#summary">Summary</a></li></ul></section></div></div><div class="sidebar-body"><ol><li class="section"><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started">Getting started modules</a></li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Environment_setup">Environment setup</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Environment_setup/Installing_software">Installing basic software</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Environment_setup/Browsing_the_web">Browsing the web</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Environment_setup/Code_editors">Code editors</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Environment_setup/Dealing_with_files">Dealing with files</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Environment_setup/Command_line">Command line crash course</a></li></ol></details></li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Your_first_website">Your first website</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Your_first_website/What_will_your_website_look_like">What will your website look like?</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Your_first_website/Creating_the_content">HTML: Creating the content</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Your_first_website/Styling_the_content">CSS: Styling the content</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Your_first_website/Adding_interactivity">JavaScript: Adding interactivity</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Your_first_website/Publishing_your_website">Publishing your website</a></li></ol></details></li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Web_standards">Web standards</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Web_standards/How_the_web_works">How the web works</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Web_standards/The_web_standards_model">The web standards model</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Web_standards/How_browsers_load_websites">How browsers load websites</a></li></ol></details></li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Soft_skills">Soft skills</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Soft_skills/Research_and_learning">Research and learning</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Soft_skills/Collaboration_and_teamwork">Collaboration and teamwork</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Soft_skills/Workflows_and_processes">Workflows and processes</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Soft_skills/Job_interviews">Succeeding in job interviews</a></li></ol></details></li><li class="section"><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core">Core modules</a></li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content">Structuring content with HTML</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Basic_HTML_syntax">Basic HTML syntax</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Webpage_metadata">What's in the head? Webpage metadata</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Headings_and_paragraphs">Headings and paragraphs in HTML</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Emphasis_and_importance">Emphasis and importance</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Lists">Lists</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Structuring_documents">Structuring documents</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Advanced_text_features">Advanced text features</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Creating_links">Creating links</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Marking_up_a_letter">Challenge: Marking up a letter</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Structuring_a_page_of_content">Challenge: Structuring a page of content</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/HTML_images">HTML images</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/HTML_video_and_audio">HTML video and audio</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Mozilla_splash_page">Challenge: Mozilla splash page</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/HTML_table_basics">HTML table basics</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Table_accessibility">HTML table accessibility</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Planet_data_table">Challenge: Structuring a planet data table</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/HTML_forms">Forms and buttons in HTML</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Debugging_HTML">Debugging HTML</a></li></ol></details></li><li class="toggle"><details open=""><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics">CSS styling basics</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/What_is_CSS">What is CSS?</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Getting_started">Getting started with CSS</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Styling_a_bio_page">Challenge: Styling a biography page</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Basic_selectors">Basic CSS selectors</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Attribute_selectors">Attribute selectors</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Pseudo_classes_and_elements">Pseudo-classes and pseudo-elements</a></li><li><em><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators" aria-current="page">Combinators</a></em></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Box_model">The box model</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Handling_conflicts">Handling conflicts</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Values_and_units">CSS values and units</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Sizing">Sizing items in CSS</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Backgrounds_and_borders">Backgrounds and borders</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Overflow">Overflowing content</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Images_media_forms">Images, media, and form elements</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Tables">Styling tables</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Debugging_CSS">Debugging CSS</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Fundamental_CSS_comprehension">Challenge: Fundamental CSS comprehension</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Fancy_letterheaded_paper">Challenge: Creating fancy letterheaded paper</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Cool-looking_box">Challenge: A cool-looking box</a></li></ol></details></li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Text_styling">CSS text styling</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Text_styling/Fundamentals">Fundamental text and font styling</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Text_styling/Styling_lists">Styling lists</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Text_styling/Styling_links">Styling links</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Text_styling/Web_fonts">Web fonts</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Text_styling/Typesetting_a_homepage">Challenge: Typesetting a community school homepage</a></li></ol></details></li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/CSS_layout">CSS layout</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/CSS_layout/Introduction">Introduction to CSS layout</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/CSS_layout/Floats">Floats</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/CSS_layout/Positioning">Positioning</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/CSS_layout/Flexbox">Flexbox</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/CSS_layout/Grids">CSS grid layout</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/CSS_layout/Responsive_Design">Responsive design</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/CSS_layout/Media_queries">Media query fundamentals</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/CSS_layout/Fundamental_Layout_Comprehension">Challenge: Fundamental layout comprehension</a></li></ol></details></li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting">Dynamic scripting with JavaScript</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/What_is_JavaScript">What is JavaScript?</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/A_first_splash">A first splash into JavaScript</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/What_went_wrong">What went wrong? Troubleshooting JavaScript</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Variables">Storing the information you need — Variables</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Math">Basic math in JavaScript — numbers and operators</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Strings">Handling text — strings in JavaScript</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Useful_string_methods">Useful string methods</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Arrays">Arrays</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Silly_story_generator">Challenge: Silly story generator</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Conditionals">Making decisions in your code — conditionals</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Loops">Looping code</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Functions">Functions — reusable blocks of code</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Build_your_own_function">Build your own function</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Return_values">Function return values</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Events">Introduction to events</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Event_bubbling">Event bubbling</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Image_gallery">Challenge: Image gallery</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Object_basics">JavaScript object basics</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/DOM_scripting">DOM scripting introduction</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Network_requests">Making network requests with JavaScript</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/JSON">Working with JSON</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Debugging_JavaScript">Debugging JavaScript and handling errors</a></li></ol></details></li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Frameworks_libraries">JavaScript frameworks and libraries</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Frameworks_libraries/Introduction">Introduction to client-side frameworks</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Frameworks_libraries/Main_features">Framework main features</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Frameworks_libraries/React_getting_started">Getting started with React</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Frameworks_libraries/React_todo_list_beginning">Beginning our React todo list</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Frameworks_libraries/React_components">Componentizing our React app</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Frameworks_libraries/React_interactivity_events_state">React interactivity: Events and state</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Frameworks_libraries/React_interactivity_filtering_conditional_rendering">React interactivity: Editing, filtering, conditional rendering</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Frameworks_libraries/React_accessibility">Accessibility in React</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Frameworks_libraries/React_resources">React resources</a></li></ol></details></li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Accessibility">Accessibility</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Accessibility/What_is_accessibility">What is accessibility?</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Accessibility/Tooling">Accessibility tooling and assistive technology</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Accessibility/HTML">HTML: A good basis for accessibility</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Accessibility/CSS_and_JavaScript">CSS and JavaScript accessibility best practices</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Accessibility/WAI-ARIA_basics">WAI-ARIA basics</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Accessibility/Multimedia">Accessible multimedia</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Accessibility/Mobile">Mobile accessibility</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Accessibility/Accessibility_troubleshooting">Challenge: Accessibility troubleshooting</a></li></ol></details></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Design_for_developers">Design for developers</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Version_control">Version control</a></li><li class="section"><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions">Extension modules</a></li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Advanced_JavaScript_objects">Advanced JavaScript objects</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Advanced_JavaScript_objects/Object_prototypes">Object prototypes</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Advanced_JavaScript_objects/Object-oriented_programming">Object-oriented programming</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Advanced_JavaScript_objects/Classes_in_JavaScript">Classes in JavaScript</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Advanced_JavaScript_objects/Object_building_practice">Object building practice</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Advanced_JavaScript_objects/Adding_bouncing_balls_features">Challenge: Adding features to our bouncing balls demo</a></li></ol></details></li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_APIs">Client-side web APIs</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_APIs/Introduction">Introduction to web APIs</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_APIs/Video_and_audio_APIs">Video and Audio APIs</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_APIs/Drawing_graphics">Drawing graphics</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_APIs/Client-side_storage">Client-side storage</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_APIs/Third_party_APIs">Third-party APIs</a></li></ol></details></li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Async_JS">Asynchronous JavaScript</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Async_JS/Introducing">Introducing asynchronous JavaScript</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Async_JS/Promises">How to use promises</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Async_JS/Implementing_a_promise-based_API">How to implement a promise-based API</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Async_JS/Introducing_workers">Introducing workers</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Async_JS/Sequencing_animations">Challenge: Sequencing animations</a></li></ol></details></li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms">Web forms</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms/Your_first_form">Your first form</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms/How_to_structure_a_web_form">How to structure a web form</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms/Basic_native_form_controls">Basic native form controls</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms/HTML5_input_types">The HTML5 input types</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms/Other_form_controls">Other form controls</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms/Styling_web_forms">Styling web forms</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms/Advanced_form_styling">Advanced form styling</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms/UI_pseudo-classes">UI pseudo-classes</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms/Form_validation">Client-side form validation</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms/Sending_and_retrieving_form_data">Sending form data</a></li></ol></details></li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_tools">Understanding client-side tools</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_tools/Overview">Client-side tooling overview</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_tools/Package_management">Package management basics</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_tools/Introducing_complete_toolchain">Introducing a complete toolchain</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_tools/Deployment">Deploying our app</a></li></ol></details></li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side">Server-side websites</a></summary><ol><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/First_steps">Server-side first steps</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/First_steps/Introduction">Introduction to the server side</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/First_steps/Client-Server_overview">Client-Server Overview</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/First_steps/Web_frameworks">Server-side web frameworks</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/First_steps/Website_security">Website security</a></li></ol></details></li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django">Django web framework (Python)</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Introduction">Django introduction</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/development_environment">Setting up a Django development environment</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Tutorial_local_library_website">Django Tutorial: The Local Library website</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/skeleton_website">Django Tutorial Part 2: Creating a skeleton website</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Models">Django Tutorial Part 3: Using models</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Admin_site">Django Tutorial Part 4: Django admin site</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Home_page">Django Tutorial Part 5: Creating our home page</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Generic_views">Django Tutorial Part 6: Generic list and detail views</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Sessions">Django Tutorial Part 7: Sessions framework</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Authentication">Django Tutorial Part 8: User authentication and permissions</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Forms">Django Tutorial Part 9: Working with forms</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Testing">Django Tutorial Part 10: Testing a Django web application</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Deployment">Django Tutorial Part 11: Deploying Django to production</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/web_application_security">Django web application security</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/django_assessment_blog">Assessment: DIY Django mini blog</a></li></ol></details></li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Express_Nodejs">Express web framework (Node.js)</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Express_Nodejs/Introduction">Express/Node introduction</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Express_Nodejs/development_environment">Setting up a Node development environment</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Express_Nodejs/Tutorial_local_library_website">Express Tutorial: The Local Library website</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Express_Nodejs/skeleton_website">Express Tutorial Part 2: Creating a skeleton website</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Express_Nodejs/mongoose">Express Tutorial Part 3: Using a Database (with Mongoose)</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Express_Nodejs/routes">Express Tutorial Part 4: Routes and controllers</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Express_Nodejs/Displaying_data">Express Tutorial Part 5: Displaying library data</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Express_Nodejs/forms">Express Tutorial Part 6: Working with forms</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Express_Nodejs/deployment">Express Tutorial Part 7: Deploying to production</a></li></ol></details></li></ol></details></li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance">Web performance</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance/why_web_performance">The "why" of web performance</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance/What_is_web_performance">What is web performance?</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance/Perceived_performance">Perceived performance</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance/Measuring_performance">Measuring performance</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance/Multimedia">Multimedia: Images</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance/video">Multimedia: video</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance/JavaScript">JavaScript performance optimization</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance/HTML">HTML performance optimization</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance/CSS">CSS performance optimization</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance/business_case_for_performance">The business case for web performance</a></li></ol></details></li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Testing">Testing</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Testing/Introduction">Introduction to cross-browser testing</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Testing/Testing_strategies">Strategies for carrying out testing</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Testing/HTML_and_CSS">Handling common HTML and CSS problems</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Testing/Feature_detection">Implementing feature detection</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Testing/Automated_testing">Introduction to automated testing</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Testing/Your_own_automation_environment">Setting up your own test automation environment</a></li></ol></details></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Transform_animate">Transform and animate CSS</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Security_privacy">Security and privacy</a></li><li class="section">Further resources</li><li class="toggle"><details><summary><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Howto">How to solve common problems</a></summary><ol><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Howto/Solve_HTML_problems">Solve common HTML problems</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Howto/Solve_CSS_problems">Solve common CSS problems</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Howto/Solve_JavaScript_problems">Solve common JavaScript problems</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Howto/Web_mechanics">Web mechanics</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Howto/Tools_and_setup">Tools and setup</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Howto/Design_and_accessibility">Design and accessibility</a></li></ol></details></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/About">About</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Educators">Resources for educators</a></li><li><a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Changelog">Changelog</a></li></ol></div></div><section class="place side"></section></nav></aside><div class="toc-container"><aside class="toc"><nav><div class="document-toc-container"><section class="document-toc"><header><h2 class="document-toc-heading">In this article</h2></header><ul class="document-toc-list"><li class="document-toc-item "><a class="document-toc-link" href="#descendant_combinator">Descendant combinator</a></li><li class="document-toc-item "><a class="document-toc-link" href="#child_combinator">Child combinator</a></li><li class="document-toc-item "><a class="document-toc-link" href="#next-sibling_combinator">Next-sibling combinator</a></li><li class="document-toc-item "><a class="document-toc-link" href="#subsequent-sibling_combinator">Subsequent-sibling combinator</a></li><li class="document-toc-item "><a class="document-toc-link" href="#creating_complex_selectors_with_nesting">Creating complex selectors with nesting</a></li><li class="document-toc-item "><a class="document-toc-link" href="#combining_combinators_with_selectors">Combining combinators with selectors</a></li><li class="document-toc-item "><a class="document-toc-link" href="#test_your_skills!">Test your skills!</a></li><li class="document-toc-item "><a class="document-toc-link" href="#summary">Summary</a></li></ul></section></div></nav></aside><section class="place side"></section></div></div><main id="content" class="main-content "><article class="main-page-content" lang="en-US"><header><h1>Combinators</h1></header><div class="section-content"><ul class="prev-next"><li><a class="button secondary" href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Pseudo_classes_and_elements"><span class="button-wrap"> Previous </span></a></li><li><a class="button secondary" href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics"><span class="button-wrap"> Overview: CSS styling basics</span></a></li><li><a class="button secondary" href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Box_model"><span class="button-wrap"> Next </span></a></li></ul> <p>The final selectors we will look at are called combinators. Combinators are used to combine other selectors in a way that allows us to select elements based on their location in the DOM relative to other elements (for example, child or sibling).</p> <figure class="table-container"><table> <tbody> <tr> <th scope="row">Prerequisites:</th> <td> HTML basics (study <a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Basic_HTML_syntax">Basic HTML syntax</a>), <a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Basic_selectors">Basic CSS selectors</a><a>. </a></td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row">Learning outcomes:</th> <td> <ul> <li>The basic concept of combinators.</li> <li>Descendant and child combinators.</li> <li>Next- and subsequent-sibling combinators.</li> <li>Nesting.</li> <li>Combining combinators with selectors.</li> <ul> </ul></ul></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></figure></div><section aria-labelledby="descendant_combinator"><h2 id="descendant_combinator"><a href="#descendant_combinator">Descendant combinator</a></h2><div class="section-content"><p>The <strong>descendant combinator</strong> — typically represented by a single space (<code> </code>) character — combines two selectors such that elements matched by the second selector are selected if they have an ancestor (parent, parent's parent, parent's parent's parent, etc.) element matching the first selector. Selectors that utilize a descendant combinator are called <em>descendant selectors</em>.</p> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"><span class="language-name">css</span></div><pre class="brush: css notranslate"><code>body article p { } </code></pre></div> <p>In the example below, we are matching only the <code><p></code> element which is inside an element with a class of <code>.box</code>.</p> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"><span class="language-name">html</span></div><pre class="brush: html live-sample___descendant notranslate"><code><div class="box"><p>Text in .box</p></div> <p>Text not in .box</p> </code></pre></div> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"><span class="language-name">css</span></div><pre class="brush: css live-sample___descendant notranslate"><code>.box p { color: red; } </code></pre></div> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"></div><iframe class="sample-code-frame" title="descendant sample" id="frame_descendant" src="about:blank" data-live-path="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators/" data-live-id="descendant" sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-scripts" loading="lazy"></iframe></div></div></section><section aria-labelledby="child_combinator"><h2 id="child_combinator"><a href="#child_combinator">Child combinator</a></h2><div class="section-content"><p>The <strong>child combinator</strong> (<code>></code>) is placed between two CSS selectors. It matches only those elements matched by the second selector that are the direct children of elements matched by the first. Descendant elements further down the hierarchy don't match. For example, to select only <code><p></code> elements that are direct children of <code><article></code> elements:</p> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"><span class="language-name">css</span></div><pre class="brush: css notranslate"><code>article > p </code></pre></div> <p>In this next example, we have an ordered list (<a href="/en-US/docs/Web/HTML/Element/ol"><code><ol></code></a>) nested inside an unordered list (<a href="/en-US/docs/Web/HTML/Element/ul"><code><ul></code></a>). The child combinator selects only those <code><li></code> elements which are direct children of a <code><ul></code>, and styles them with a top border.</p> <p>If you remove the <code>></code> that designates this as a child combinator, you end up with a descendant selector and all <code><li></code> elements will get a red border.</p> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"><span class="language-name">html</span></div><pre class="brush: html live-sample___child notranslate"><code><ul> <li>Unordered item</li> <li> Unordered item <ol> <li>Item 1</li> <li>Item 2</li> </ol> </li> </ul> </code></pre></div> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"><span class="language-name">css</span></div><pre class="brush: css live-sample___child notranslate"><code>ul > li { border-top: 5px solid red; } </code></pre></div> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"></div><iframe class="sample-code-frame" title="child sample" id="frame_child" src="about:blank" data-live-path="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators/" data-live-id="child" sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-scripts" loading="lazy"></iframe></div></div></section><section aria-labelledby="next-sibling_combinator"><h2 id="next-sibling_combinator"><a href="#next-sibling_combinator">Next-sibling combinator</a></h2><div class="section-content"><p>The <strong>next-sibling combinator</strong> (<code>+</code>) is placed between two CSS selectors. It matches only those elements matched by the second selector that come right after the element matched by the first selector. For example, to select all <code><img></code> elements that are immediately preceded by a <code><p></code> element:</p> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"><span class="language-name">css</span></div><pre class="brush: css notranslate"><code>p + img </code></pre></div> <p>A common use case is to do something with a paragraph that follows a heading, as in the example below. In that example, we are looking for any paragraph which shares a parent element with an <code><h1></code>, and immediately follows that <code><h1></code>.</p> <p>If you insert some other element such as a <code><h2></code> in between the <code><h1></code> and the <code><p></code>, you will find that the paragraph is no longer matched by the selector and so does not get the background and foreground color applied when the element is adjacent.</p> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"><span class="language-name">html</span></div><pre class="brush: html live-sample___adjacent notranslate"><code><article> <h1>A heading</h1> <p> Veggies es bonus vobis, proinde vos postulo essum magis kohlrabi welsh onion daikon amaranth tatsoi tomatillo melon azuki bean garlic. </p> <p> Gumbo beet greens corn soko endive gumbo gourd. Parsley shallot courgette tatsoi pea sprouts fava bean collard greens dandelion okra wakame tomato. Dandelion cucumber earthnut pea peanut soko zucchini. </p> </article> </code></pre></div> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"><span class="language-name">css</span></div><pre class="brush: css live-sample___adjacent notranslate"><code>body { font-family: sans-serif; } h1 + p { font-weight: bold; background-color: #333; color: #fff; padding: 0.5em; } </code></pre></div> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"></div><iframe class="sample-code-frame" title="adjacent sample" id="frame_adjacent" height="220px" src="about:blank" data-live-path="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators/" data-live-id="adjacent" sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-scripts" loading="lazy"></iframe></div></div></section><section aria-labelledby="subsequent-sibling_combinator"><h2 id="subsequent-sibling_combinator"><a href="#subsequent-sibling_combinator">Subsequent-sibling combinator</a></h2><div class="section-content"><p>If you want to select siblings of an element even if they are not directly adjacent, then you can use the <strong>subsequent-sibling combinator</strong> (<code>~</code>). To select all <code><img></code> elements that come <em>anywhere</em> after <code><p></code> elements, we'd do this:</p> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"><span class="language-name">css</span></div><pre class="brush: css notranslate"><code>p ~ img </code></pre></div> <p>In the example below we are selecting all <code><p></code> elements that come after the <code><h1></code>, and even though there is a <code><div></code> in the document as well, the <code><p></code> that comes after it is selected.</p> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"><span class="language-name">html</span></div><pre class="brush: html live-sample___general notranslate"><code><article> <h1>A heading</h1> <p>I am a paragraph.</p> <div>I am a div</div> <p>I am another paragraph.</p> </article> </code></pre></div> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"><span class="language-name">css</span></div><pre class="brush: css live-sample___general notranslate"><code>body { font-family: sans-serif; } h1 ~ p { font-weight: bold; background-color: #333; color: #fff; padding: 0.5em; } </code></pre></div> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"></div><iframe class="sample-code-frame" title="general sample" id="frame_general" height="220px" src="about:blank" data-live-path="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators/" data-live-id="general" sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-scripts" loading="lazy"></iframe></div></div></section><section aria-labelledby="creating_complex_selectors_with_nesting"><h2 id="creating_complex_selectors_with_nesting"><a href="#creating_complex_selectors_with_nesting">Creating complex selectors with nesting</a></h2><div class="section-content"><p>The <a href="/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/CSS_nesting/Using_CSS_nesting#combinators">CSS nesting module</a> allows you to write nested rules that use combinators to create <a href="/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/CSS_selectors/Selector_structure#complex_selector">complex selectors</a>.</p> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"><span class="language-name">css</span></div><pre class="brush: css notranslate"><code>p { ~ img { } } /* This is parsed by the browser as */ p ~ img { } </code></pre></div> <p>The <a href="/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Nesting_selector"><code>&</code> nesting selector</a> can also be used to create complex selectors:</p> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"><span class="language-name">css</span></div><pre class="brush: css notranslate"><code>p { & img { } } /* This is parsed by the browser as */ p img { } </code></pre></div> <p>Here's an example demonstrating complex selectors:</p> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"><span class="language-name">html</span></div><pre class="brush: html live-sample___nesting notranslate"><code><article> <h1>A heading</h1> <p>I am a paragraph.</p> <div>I am a div</div> <p>I am another paragraph.</p> </article> </code></pre></div> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"><span class="language-name">css</span></div><pre class="brush: css live-sample___nesting notranslate"><code>body { font-family: sans-serif; } h1 { & ~ p { /* this is parsed by the browser as h1 ~ p */ font-weight: bold; background-color: #333; color: #fff; padding: 0.5em; } } </code></pre></div> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"></div><iframe class="sample-code-frame" title="nesting sample" id="frame_nesting" height="220px" src="about:blank" data-live-path="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators/" data-live-id="nesting" sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-scripts" loading="lazy"></iframe></div> <div class="notecard note"> <p><strong>Note:</strong> In the example above, the <code>&</code> nesting selector is not required, but adding it helps to explicitly show that CSS nesting is being used.</p> </div></div></section><section aria-labelledby="combining_combinators_with_selectors"><h2 id="combining_combinators_with_selectors"><a href="#combining_combinators_with_selectors">Combining combinators with selectors</a></h2><div class="section-content"><p>You can combine any of the selectors that we discovered in previous lessons with combinators in order to select part of your document. For example, to select list items with a <code>class</code> of <code>a</code> which are direct children of a <code><ul></code>, try the following:</p> <div class="code-example"><div class="example-header"><span class="language-name">css</span></div><pre class="brush: css notranslate"><code>ul > li[class="a"] { } </code></pre></div> <p>Take care, however, when creating big lists of selectors that select very specific parts of your document. It will be hard to reuse the CSS rules since you have made the selector very specific to the location of that element in the markup.</p> <p>It is often better to create a simple class and apply that to the element in question. That said, your knowledge of combinators will be very useful if you need to style something in your document and are unable to access the HTML, perhaps due to it being generated by a <a href="/en-US/docs/Glossary/CMS">CMS</a>.</p></div></section><section aria-labelledby="test_your_skills!"><h2 id="test_your_skills!"><a href="#test_your_skills!">Test your skills!</a></h2><div class="section-content"><p>You've reached the end of our set of lessons about selectors, but can you remember the most important information? You can find some further tests to verify that you've retained this information before you move on — see <a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Basic_selectors/Selectors_Tasks">Test your skills: Selectors</a>.</p></div></section><section aria-labelledby="summary"><h2 id="summary"><a href="#summary">Summary</a></h2><div class="section-content"><p>That's it for selectors, for now. Next, we'll move on to another important part of CSS — the box model.</p> <ul class="prev-next"><li><a class="button secondary" href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Pseudo_classes_and_elements"><span class="button-wrap"> Previous </span></a></li><li><a class="button secondary" href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics"><span class="button-wrap"> Overview: CSS styling basics</span></a></li><li><a class="button secondary" href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Box_model"><span class="button-wrap"> Next </span></a></li></ul></div></section></article><aside class="article-footer"><div class="article-footer-inner"><div class="svg-container"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="162" height="162" viewBox="0 0 162 162" fill="none" role="none"><mask id="b" fill="#fff"><path d="M97.203 47.04c8.113-7.886 18.004-13.871 28.906-17.492a78 78 0 0 1 33.969-3.39c11.443 1.39 22.401 5.295 32.024 11.411s17.656 14.28 23.476 23.86c5.819 9.579 9.269 20.318 10.083 31.385a69.85 69.85 0 0 1-5.387 32.44c-4.358 10.272-11.115 19.443-19.747 26.801-8.632 7.359-18.908 12.709-30.034 15.637l-6.17-21.698c7.666-2.017 14.746-5.703 20.694-10.773 5.948-5.071 10.603-11.389 13.606-18.467a48.14 48.14 0 0 0 3.712-22.352c-.561-7.625-2.938-15.025-6.948-21.625s-9.544-12.226-16.175-16.44-14.181-6.904-22.065-7.863a53.75 53.75 0 0 0-23.405 2.336c-7.513 2.495-14.327 6.62-19.918 12.053z"></path></mask><path stroke="url(#a)" stroke-dasharray="6, 6" stroke-width="2" d="M97.203 47.04c8.113-7.886 18.004-13.871 28.906-17.492a78 78 0 0 1 33.969-3.39c11.443 1.39 22.401 5.295 32.024 11.411s17.656 14.28 23.476 23.86c5.819 9.579 9.269 20.318 10.083 31.385a69.85 69.85 0 0 1-5.387 32.44c-4.358 10.272-11.115 19.443-19.747 26.801-8.632 7.359-18.908 12.709-30.034 15.637l-6.17-21.698c7.666-2.017 14.746-5.703 20.694-10.773 5.948-5.071 10.603-11.389 13.606-18.467a48.14 48.14 0 0 0 3.712-22.352c-.561-7.625-2.938-15.025-6.948-21.625s-9.544-12.226-16.175-16.44-14.181-6.904-22.065-7.863a53.75 53.75 0 0 0-23.405 2.336c-7.513 2.495-14.327 6.62-19.918 12.053z" mask="url(#b)" style="stroke:url(#a)" transform="translate(-63.992 -25.587)"></path><ellipse cx="8.066" cy="111.597" fill="var(--background-tertiary)" rx="53.677" ry="53.699" transform="matrix(.71707 -.697 .7243 .6895 0 0)"></ellipse><g clip-path="url(#c)" transform="translate(-63.992 -25.587)"><path fill="#9abff5" d="m144.256 137.379 32.906 12.434a4.41 4.41 0 0 1 2.559 5.667l-9.326 24.679a4.41 4.41 0 0 1-5.667 2.559l-8.226-3.108-2.332 6.17c-.466 1.233-.375 1.883-1.609 1.417l-2.253-.527c-.411-.155-.95-.594-1.206-1.161l-4.734-10.484-12.545-4.741a4.41 4.41 0 0 1-2.559-5.667l9.325-24.679a4.41 4.41 0 0 1 5.667-2.559m9.961 29.617 8.227 3.108 3.264-8.638-.498-6.768-4.113-1.555.548 7.258-4.319-1.632zm-12.339-4.663 8.226 3.108 3.264-8.637-.498-6.769-4.113-1.554.548 7.257-4.319-1.632z"></path></g><g clip-path="url(#d)" transform="translate(-63.992 -25.587)"><path fill="#81b0f3" d="M135.35 60.136 86.67 41.654c-3.346-1.27-7.124.428-8.394 3.775L64.414 81.938c-1.27 3.347.428 7.125 3.774 8.395l12.17 4.62-3.465 9.128c-.693 1.826-1.432 2.457.394 3.15l3.014 1.625c.609.231 1.637.274 2.477-.104l15.53-6.983 18.56 7.047c3.346 1.27 7.124-.428 8.395-3.775l13.862-36.51c1.27-3.346-.428-7.124-3.775-8.395M95.261 83.207l-12.17-4.62 4.852-12.779 7.19-7.017 6.085 2.31-7.725 7.51 6.389 2.426zm18.255 6.93-12.17-4.62 4.852-12.778 7.189-7.017 6.085 2.31-7.725 7.51 6.39 2.426z"></path></g><defs><clipPath id="c"><path fill="#fff" d="m198.638 146.586-65.056-24.583-24.583 65.057 65.056 24.582z"></path></clipPath><clipPath id="d"><path fill="#fff" d="m66.438 14.055 96.242 36.54-36.54 96.243-96.243-36.54z"></path></clipPath><linearGradient id="a" x1="97.203" x2="199.995" y1="47.04" y2="152.793" gradientUnits="userSpaceOnUse"><stop stop-color="#086DFC"></stop><stop offset="0.246" stop-color="#2C81FA"></stop><stop offset="0.516" stop-color="#5497F8"></stop><stop offset="0.821" stop-color="#80B0F6"></stop><stop offset="1" stop-color="#9ABFF5"></stop></linearGradient></defs></svg></div><h2>Help improve MDN</h2><fieldset class="feedback"><label>Was this page helpful to you?</label><div class="button-container"><button type="button" class="button primary has-icon yes"><span class="button-wrap"><span class="icon icon-thumbs-up "></span>Yes</span></button><button type="button" class="button primary has-icon no"><span class="button-wrap"><span class="icon icon-thumbs-down "></span>No</span></button></div></fieldset><a class="contribute" href="https://github.com/mdn/content/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md" title="This will take you to our contribution guidelines on GitHub." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn how to contribute</a>.<p class="last-modified-date">This page was last modified on <time dateTime="2024-12-24T04:44:55.000Z">Dec 24, 2024</time> by <a href="/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators/contributors.txt" rel="nofollow">MDN contributors</a>.</p><div id="on-github" class="on-github"><a href="https://github.com/mdn/content/blob/main/files/en-us/learn_web_development/core/styling_basics/combinators/index.md?plain=1" title="Folder: en-us/learn_web_development/core/styling_basics/combinators (Opens in a new tab)" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View this page on GitHub</a> • <a href="https://github.com/mdn/content/issues/new?template=page-report.yml&mdn-url=https%3A%2F%2Fdeveloper.mozilla.org%2Fen-US%2Fdocs%2FLearn_web_development%2FCore%2FStyling_basics%2FCombinators&metadata=%3C%21--+Do+not+make+changes+below+this+line+--%3E%0A%3Cdetails%3E%0A%3Csummary%3EPage+report+details%3C%2Fsummary%3E%0A%0A*+Folder%3A+%60en-us%2Flearn_web_development%2Fcore%2Fstyling_basics%2Fcombinators%60%0A*+MDN+URL%3A+https%3A%2F%2Fdeveloper.mozilla.org%2Fen-US%2Fdocs%2FLearn_web_development%2FCore%2FStyling_basics%2FCombinators%0A*+GitHub+URL%3A+https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fmdn%2Fcontent%2Fblob%2Fmain%2Ffiles%2Fen-us%2Flearn_web_development%2Fcore%2Fstyling_basics%2Fcombinators%2Findex.md%0A*+Last+commit%3A+https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fmdn%2Fcontent%2Fcommit%2Fa92e10b293358bc796c43d5872a8981fd988a005%0A*+Document+last+modified%3A+2024-12-24T04%3A44%3A55.000Z%0A%0A%3C%2Fdetails%3E" title="This will take you to GitHub to file a new issue." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Report a problem with this content</a></div></div></aside></main></div></div><footer id="nav-footer" class="page-footer"><div class="page-footer-grid"><div class="page-footer-logo-col"><a href="/" class="mdn-footer-logo" aria-label="MDN homepage"><svg width="48" height="17" viewBox="0 0 48 17" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><title id="mdn-footer-logo-svg">MDN logo</title><path d="M20.04 16.512H15.504V10.416C15.504 9.488 15.344 8.824 15.024 8.424C14.72 8.024 14.264 7.824 13.656 7.824C12.92 7.824 12.384 8.064 12.048 8.544C11.728 9.024 11.568 9.64 11.568 10.392V14.184H13.008V16.512H8.472V10.416C8.472 9.488 8.312 8.824 7.992 8.424C7.688 8.024 7.232 7.824 6.624 7.824C5.872 7.824 5.336 8.064 5.016 8.544C4.696 9.024 4.536 9.64 4.536 10.392V14.184H6.6V16.512H0V14.184H1.44V8.04H0.024V5.688H4.536V7.32C5.224 6.088 6.32 5.472 7.824 5.472C8.608 5.472 9.328 5.664 9.984 6.048C10.64 6.432 11.096 7.016 11.352 7.8C11.992 6.248 13.168 5.472 14.88 5.472C15.856 5.472 16.72 5.776 17.472 6.384C18.224 6.992 18.6 7.936 18.6 9.216V14.184H20.04V16.512Z" fill="currentColor"></path><path d="M33.6714 16.512H29.1354V14.496C28.8314 15.12 28.3834 15.656 27.7914 16.104C27.1994 16.536 26.4154 16.752 25.4394 16.752C24.0154 16.752 22.8954 16.264 22.0794 15.288C21.2634 14.312 20.8554 12.984 20.8554 11.304C20.8554 9.688 21.2554 8.312 22.0554 7.176C22.8554 6.04 24.0634 5.472 25.6794 5.472C26.5594 5.472 27.2794 5.648 27.8394 6C28.3994 6.352 28.8314 6.8 29.1354 7.344V2.352H26.9754V0H32.2314V14.184H33.6714V16.512ZM29.1354 11.04V10.776C29.1354 9.88 28.8954 9.184 28.4154 8.688C27.9514 8.176 27.3674 7.92 26.6634 7.92C25.9754 7.92 25.3674 8.176 24.8394 8.688C24.3274 9.2 24.0714 10.008 24.0714 11.112C24.0714 12.152 24.3114 12.944 24.7914 13.488C25.2714 14.032 25.8394 14.304 26.4954 14.304C27.3114 14.304 27.9514 13.96 28.4154 13.272C28.8954 12.584 29.1354 11.84 29.1354 11.04Z" fill="currentColor"></path><path d="M47.9589 16.512H41.9829V14.184H43.4229V10.416C43.4229 9.488 43.2629 8.824 42.9429 8.424C42.6389 8.024 42.1829 7.824 41.5749 7.824C40.8389 7.824 40.2709 8.056 39.8709 8.52C39.4709 8.968 39.2629 9.56 39.2469 10.296V14.184H40.6869V16.512H34.7109V14.184H36.1509V8.04H34.5909V5.688H39.2469V7.344C39.9669 6.096 41.1269 5.472 42.7269 5.472C43.7509 5.472 44.6389 5.776 45.3909 6.384C46.1429 6.992 46.5189 7.936 46.5189 9.216V14.184H47.9589V16.512Z" fill="currentColor"></path></svg></a><p>Your blueprint for a better internet.</p><ul class="social-icons"><li><a href="https://mastodon.social/@mdn" target="_blank" rel="me noopener noreferrer"><span class="icon icon-mastodon"></span><span class="visually-hidden">MDN on Mastodon</span></a></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/mozdevnet" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span class="icon icon-twitter-x"></span><span class="visually-hidden">MDN on X (formerly Twitter)</span></a></li><li><a href="https://github.com/mdn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span class="icon icon-github-mark-small"></span><span class="visually-hidden">MDN on GitHub</span></a></li><li><a href="/en-US/blog/rss.xml" target="_blank"><span class="icon icon-feed"></span><span class="visually-hidden">MDN Blog RSS Feed</span></a></li></ul></div><div class="page-footer-nav-col-1"><h2 class="footer-nav-heading">MDN</h2><ul class="footer-nav-list"><li class="footer-nav-item"><a href="/en-US/about">About</a></li><li class="footer-nav-item"><a href="/en-US/blog/">Blog</a></li><li class="footer-nav-item"><a href="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/careers/listings/?team=ProdOps" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Careers</a></li><li class="footer-nav-item"><a href="/en-US/advertising">Advertise with us</a></li></ul></div><div class="page-footer-nav-col-2"><h2 class="footer-nav-heading">Support</h2><ul class="footer-nav-list"><li class="footer-nav-item"><a class="footer-nav-link" href="https://support.mozilla.org/products/mdn-plus">Product help</a></li><li class="footer-nav-item"><a class="footer-nav-link" href="/en-US/docs/MDN/Community/Issues">Report an issue</a></li></ul></div><div class="page-footer-nav-col-3"><h2 class="footer-nav-heading">Our communities</h2><ul class="footer-nav-list"><li class="footer-nav-item"><a class="footer-nav-link" href="/en-US/community">MDN Community</a></li><li class="footer-nav-item"><a class="footer-nav-link" href="https://discourse.mozilla.org/c/mdn/236" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MDN Forum</a></li><li class="footer-nav-item"><a class="footer-nav-link" href="/discord" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MDN Chat</a></li></ul></div><div class="page-footer-nav-col-4"><h2 class="footer-nav-heading">Developers</h2><ul class="footer-nav-list"><li class="footer-nav-item"><a class="footer-nav-link" href="/en-US/docs/Web">Web Technologies</a></li><li class="footer-nav-item"><a class="footer-nav-link" href="/en-US/docs/Learn">Learn Web Development</a></li><li class="footer-nav-item"><a class="footer-nav-link" href="/en-US/plus">MDN Plus</a></li><li class="footer-nav-item"><a href="https://hacks.mozilla.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hacks Blog</a></li></ul></div><div class="page-footer-moz"><a href="https://www.mozilla.org/" class="footer-moz-logo-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="137" height="32" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 267.431 62.607"><path fill="currentColor" d="m13.913 23.056 5.33 25.356h2.195l5.33-25.356h14.267v38.976h-7.578V29.694h-2.194l-7.264 32.337h-7.343L9.418 29.694H7.223v32.337H-.354V23.056Zm47.137 9.123c9.12 0 14.423 5.385 14.423 15.214s-5.33 15.214-14.423 15.214c-9.12 0-14.423-5.385-14.423-15.214 0-9.855 5.304-15.214 14.423-15.214m0 24.363c4.285 0 6.428-2.196 6.428-7.032v-4.287c0-4.836-2.143-7.032-6.428-7.032s-6.428 2.196-6.428 7.032v4.287c0 4.836 2.143 7.032 6.428 7.032m18.473-.157 15.47-18.01h-15.26v-5.647h24.352v5.646L88.616 56.385h15.704v5.646H79.523Zm29.318-23.657h11.183V62.03h-7.578V38.375h-3.632v-5.646zm3.605-9.672h7.578v5.646h-7.578zm13.17 0h11.21v38.976h-7.578v-33.33h-3.632zm16.801 0H153.6v38.976h-7.577v-33.33h-3.632v-5.646zm29.03 9.123c4.442 0 7.394 2.143 8.231 5.881h2.194v-5.332h9.276v5.646h-3.632v18.011h3.632v5.646h-4.442c-3.135 0-4.834-1.699-4.834-4.836V56.7h-2.194c-.81 3.738-3.789 5.881-8.23 5.881-6.978 0-11.916-5.829-11.916-15.214 0-9.384 4.938-15.187 11.915-15.187m2.3 24.363c4.284 0 6.192-2.196 6.192-7.032v-4.287c0-4.836-1.908-7.032-6.193-7.032-4.18 0-6.193 2.196-6.193 7.032v4.287c0 4.836 2.012 7.032 6.193 7.032m48.34 5.489h-7.577V0h7.577zm6.585-29.643h32.165v-2.196l-21.295-7.634v-6.143l21.295-7.633V6.588h-25.345V0h32.165v12.522l-17.35 5.881V20.6l17.35 5.882v12.521h-38.985zm0-25.801h6.794v6.796h-6.794z"></path></svg></a><ul class="footer-moz-list"><li class="footer-moz-item"><a href="https://www.mozilla.org/privacy/websites/" class="footer-moz-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Website Privacy Notice</a></li><li class="footer-moz-item"><a href="https://www.mozilla.org/privacy/websites/#cookies" class="footer-moz-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cookies</a></li><li class="footer-moz-item"><a href="https://www.mozilla.org/about/legal/terms/mozilla" class="footer-moz-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Legal</a></li><li class="footer-moz-item"><a href="https://www.mozilla.org/about/governance/policies/participation/" class="footer-moz-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Community Participation Guidelines</a></li></ul></div><div class="page-footer-legal"><p id="license" class="page-footer-legal-text">Visit <a href="https://www.mozilla.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mozilla Corporation’s</a> not-for-profit parent, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://foundation.mozilla.org/">Mozilla Foundation</a>.<br/>Portions of this content are ©1998–2025 by individual mozilla.org contributors. Content available under <a href="/en-US/docs/MDN/Writing_guidelines/Attrib_copyright_license">a Creative Commons license</a>.</p></div></div></footer></div><script type="application/json" id="hydration">{"url":"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators","doc":{"body":[{"type":"prose","value":{"id":null,"title":null,"isH3":false,"content":"<ul class=\"prev-next\"><li><a class=\"button secondary\" href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Pseudo_classes_and_elements\"><span class=\"button-wrap\"> Previous </span></a></li><li><a class=\"button secondary\" href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics\"><span class=\"button-wrap\"> Overview: CSS styling basics</span></a></li><li><a class=\"button secondary\" href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Box_model\"><span class=\"button-wrap\"> Next </span></a></li></ul>\n<p>The final selectors we will look at are called combinators. Combinators are used to combine other selectors in a way that allows us to select elements based on their location in the DOM relative to other elements (for example, child or sibling).</p>\n<figure class=\"table-container\"><table>\n <tbody>\n <tr>\n <th scope=\"row\">Prerequisites:</th>\n <td>\n HTML basics (study\n <a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Basic_HTML_syntax\">Basic HTML syntax</a>), <a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Basic_selectors\">Basic CSS selectors</a><a>.\n </a></td>\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <th scope=\"row\">Learning outcomes:</th>\n <td>\n <ul>\n <li>The basic concept of combinators.</li>\n <li>Descendant and child combinators.</li>\n <li>Next- and subsequent-sibling combinators.</li>\n <li>Nesting.</li>\n <li>Combining combinators with selectors.</li>\n <ul>\n </ul></ul></td>\n </tr>\n </tbody>\n</table></figure>"}},{"type":"prose","value":{"id":"descendant_combinator","title":"Descendant combinator","isH3":false,"content":"<p>The <strong>descendant combinator</strong> — typically represented by a single space (<code> </code>) character — combines two selectors such that elements matched by the second selector are selected if they have an ancestor (parent, parent's parent, parent's parent's parent, etc.) element matching the first selector. Selectors that utilize a descendant combinator are called <em>descendant selectors</em>.</p>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"><span class=\"language-name\">css</span></div><pre class=\"brush: css notranslate\"><code>body article p {\n}\n</code></pre></div>\n<p>In the example below, we are matching only the <code><p></code> element which is inside an element with a class of <code>.box</code>.</p>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"><span class=\"language-name\">html</span></div><pre class=\"brush: html live-sample___descendant notranslate\"><code><div class=\"box\"><p>Text in .box</p></div>\n<p>Text not in .box</p>\n</code></pre></div>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"><span class=\"language-name\">css</span></div><pre class=\"brush: css live-sample___descendant notranslate\"><code>.box p {\n color: red;\n}\n</code></pre></div>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"></div><iframe class=\"sample-code-frame\" title=\"descendant sample\" id=\"frame_descendant\" src=\"about:blank\" data-live-path=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators/\" data-live-id=\"descendant\" sandbox=\"allow-same-origin allow-scripts\" loading=\"lazy\"></iframe></div>"}},{"type":"prose","value":{"id":"child_combinator","title":"Child combinator","isH3":false,"content":"<p>The <strong>child combinator</strong> (<code>></code>) is placed between two CSS selectors. It matches only those elements matched by the second selector that are the direct children of elements matched by the first. Descendant elements further down the hierarchy don't match. For example, to select only <code><p></code> elements that are direct children of <code><article></code> elements:</p>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"><span class=\"language-name\">css</span></div><pre class=\"brush: css notranslate\"><code>article > p\n</code></pre></div>\n<p>In this next example, we have an ordered list (<a href=\"/en-US/docs/Web/HTML/Element/ol\"><code><ol></code></a>) nested inside an unordered list (<a href=\"/en-US/docs/Web/HTML/Element/ul\"><code><ul></code></a>). The child combinator selects only those <code><li></code> elements which are direct children of a <code><ul></code>, and styles them with a top border.</p>\n<p>If you remove the <code>></code> that designates this as a child combinator, you end up with a descendant selector and all <code><li></code> elements will get a red border.</p>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"><span class=\"language-name\">html</span></div><pre class=\"brush: html live-sample___child notranslate\"><code><ul>\n <li>Unordered item</li>\n <li>\n Unordered item\n <ol>\n <li>Item 1</li>\n <li>Item 2</li>\n </ol>\n </li>\n</ul>\n</code></pre></div>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"><span class=\"language-name\">css</span></div><pre class=\"brush: css live-sample___child notranslate\"><code>ul > li {\n border-top: 5px solid red;\n}\n</code></pre></div>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"></div><iframe class=\"sample-code-frame\" title=\"child sample\" id=\"frame_child\" src=\"about:blank\" data-live-path=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators/\" data-live-id=\"child\" sandbox=\"allow-same-origin allow-scripts\" loading=\"lazy\"></iframe></div>"}},{"type":"prose","value":{"id":"next-sibling_combinator","title":"Next-sibling combinator","isH3":false,"content":"<p>The <strong>next-sibling combinator</strong> (<code>+</code>) is placed between two CSS selectors. It matches only those elements matched by the second selector that come right after the element matched by the first selector. For example, to select all <code><img></code> elements that are immediately preceded by a <code><p></code> element:</p>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"><span class=\"language-name\">css</span></div><pre class=\"brush: css notranslate\"><code>p + img\n</code></pre></div>\n<p>A common use case is to do something with a paragraph that follows a heading, as in the example below. In that example, we are looking for any paragraph which shares a parent element with an <code><h1></code>, and immediately follows that <code><h1></code>.</p>\n<p>If you insert some other element such as a <code><h2></code> in between the <code><h1></code> and the <code><p></code>, you will find that the paragraph is no longer matched by the selector and so does not get the background and foreground color applied when the element is adjacent.</p>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"><span class=\"language-name\">html</span></div><pre class=\"brush: html live-sample___adjacent notranslate\"><code><article>\n <h1>A heading</h1>\n <p>\n Veggies es bonus vobis, proinde vos postulo essum magis kohlrabi welsh onion\n daikon amaranth tatsoi tomatillo melon azuki bean garlic.\n </p>\n\n <p>\n Gumbo beet greens corn soko endive gumbo gourd. Parsley shallot courgette\n tatsoi pea sprouts fava bean collard greens dandelion okra wakame tomato.\n Dandelion cucumber earthnut pea peanut soko zucchini.\n </p>\n</article>\n</code></pre></div>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"><span class=\"language-name\">css</span></div><pre class=\"brush: css live-sample___adjacent notranslate\"><code>body {\n font-family: sans-serif;\n}\n\nh1 + p {\n font-weight: bold;\n background-color: #333;\n color: #fff;\n padding: 0.5em;\n}\n</code></pre></div>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"></div><iframe class=\"sample-code-frame\" title=\"adjacent sample\" id=\"frame_adjacent\" height=\"220px\" src=\"about:blank\" data-live-path=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators/\" data-live-id=\"adjacent\" sandbox=\"allow-same-origin allow-scripts\" loading=\"lazy\"></iframe></div>"}},{"type":"prose","value":{"id":"subsequent-sibling_combinator","title":"Subsequent-sibling combinator","isH3":false,"content":"<p>If you want to select siblings of an element even if they are not directly adjacent, then you can use the <strong>subsequent-sibling combinator</strong> (<code>~</code>). To select all <code><img></code> elements that come <em>anywhere</em> after <code><p></code> elements, we'd do this:</p>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"><span class=\"language-name\">css</span></div><pre class=\"brush: css notranslate\"><code>p ~ img\n</code></pre></div>\n<p>In the example below we are selecting all <code><p></code> elements that come after the <code><h1></code>, and even though there is a <code><div></code> in the document as well, the <code><p></code> that comes after it is selected.</p>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"><span class=\"language-name\">html</span></div><pre class=\"brush: html live-sample___general notranslate\"><code><article>\n <h1>A heading</h1>\n <p>I am a paragraph.</p>\n <div>I am a div</div>\n <p>I am another paragraph.</p>\n</article>\n</code></pre></div>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"><span class=\"language-name\">css</span></div><pre class=\"brush: css live-sample___general notranslate\"><code>body {\n font-family: sans-serif;\n}\n\nh1 ~ p {\n font-weight: bold;\n background-color: #333;\n color: #fff;\n padding: 0.5em;\n}\n</code></pre></div>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"></div><iframe class=\"sample-code-frame\" title=\"general sample\" id=\"frame_general\" height=\"220px\" src=\"about:blank\" data-live-path=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators/\" data-live-id=\"general\" sandbox=\"allow-same-origin allow-scripts\" loading=\"lazy\"></iframe></div>"}},{"type":"prose","value":{"id":"creating_complex_selectors_with_nesting","title":"Creating complex selectors with nesting","isH3":false,"content":"<p>The <a href=\"/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/CSS_nesting/Using_CSS_nesting#combinators\">CSS nesting module</a> allows you to write nested rules that use combinators to create <a href=\"/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/CSS_selectors/Selector_structure#complex_selector\">complex selectors</a>.</p>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"><span class=\"language-name\">css</span></div><pre class=\"brush: css notranslate\"><code>p {\n ~ img {\n }\n}\n/* This is parsed by the browser as */\np ~ img {\n}\n</code></pre></div>\n<p>The <a href=\"/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Nesting_selector\"><code>&</code> nesting selector</a> can also be used to create complex selectors:</p>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"><span class=\"language-name\">css</span></div><pre class=\"brush: css notranslate\"><code>p {\n & img {\n }\n}\n/* This is parsed by the browser as */\np img {\n}\n</code></pre></div>\n<p>Here's an example demonstrating complex selectors:</p>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"><span class=\"language-name\">html</span></div><pre class=\"brush: html live-sample___nesting notranslate\"><code><article>\n <h1>A heading</h1>\n <p>I am a paragraph.</p>\n <div>I am a div</div>\n <p>I am another paragraph.</p>\n</article>\n</code></pre></div>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"><span class=\"language-name\">css</span></div><pre class=\"brush: css live-sample___nesting notranslate\"><code>body {\n font-family: sans-serif;\n}\n\nh1 {\n & ~ p {\n /* this is parsed by the browser as h1 ~ p */\n font-weight: bold;\n background-color: #333;\n color: #fff;\n padding: 0.5em;\n }\n}\n</code></pre></div>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"></div><iframe class=\"sample-code-frame\" title=\"nesting sample\" id=\"frame_nesting\" height=\"220px\" src=\"about:blank\" data-live-path=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators/\" data-live-id=\"nesting\" sandbox=\"allow-same-origin allow-scripts\" loading=\"lazy\"></iframe></div>\n<div class=\"notecard note\">\n<p><strong>Note:</strong>\nIn the example above, the <code>&</code> nesting selector is not required, but adding it helps to explicitly show that CSS nesting is being used.</p>\n</div>"}},{"type":"prose","value":{"id":"combining_combinators_with_selectors","title":"Combining combinators with selectors","isH3":false,"content":"<p>You can combine any of the selectors that we discovered in previous lessons with combinators in order to select part of your document. For example, to select list items with a <code>class</code> of <code>a</code> which are direct children of a <code><ul></code>, try the following:</p>\n<div class=\"code-example\"><div class=\"example-header\"><span class=\"language-name\">css</span></div><pre class=\"brush: css notranslate\"><code>ul > li[class=\"a\"] {\n}\n</code></pre></div>\n<p>Take care, however, when creating big lists of selectors that select very specific parts of your document. It will be hard to reuse the CSS rules since you have made the selector very specific to the location of that element in the markup.</p>\n<p>It is often better to create a simple class and apply that to the element in question. That said, your knowledge of combinators will be very useful if you need to style something in your document and are unable to access the HTML, perhaps due to it being generated by a <a href=\"/en-US/docs/Glossary/CMS\">CMS</a>.</p>"}},{"type":"prose","value":{"id":"test_your_skills!","title":"Test your skills!","isH3":false,"content":"<p>You've reached the end of our set of lessons about selectors, but can you remember the most important information? You can find some further tests to verify that you've retained this information before you move on — see <a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Basic_selectors/Selectors_Tasks\">Test your skills: Selectors</a>.</p>"}},{"type":"prose","value":{"id":"summary","title":"Summary","isH3":false,"content":"<p>That's it for selectors, for now. Next, we'll move on to another important part of CSS — the box model.</p>\n<ul class=\"prev-next\"><li><a class=\"button secondary\" href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Pseudo_classes_and_elements\"><span class=\"button-wrap\"> Previous </span></a></li><li><a class=\"button secondary\" href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics\"><span class=\"button-wrap\"> Overview: CSS styling basics</span></a></li><li><a class=\"button secondary\" href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Box_model\"><span class=\"button-wrap\"> Next </span></a></li></ul>"}}],"isActive":true,"isMarkdown":true,"isTranslated":false,"locale":"en-US","mdn_url":"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators","modified":"2024-12-24T04:44:55.000Z","native":"English (US)","noIndexing":false,"other_translations":[{"locale":"de","title":"Kombinatoren","native":"Deutsch"},{"locale":"es","title":"Combinadores","native":"Español"},{"locale":"fr","title":"Combinateurs","native":"Français"},{"locale":"ja","title":"結合子","native":"日本語"},{"locale":"ko","title":"결합자","native":"한국어"},{"locale":"ru","title":"Комбинаторы","native":"Русский"},{"locale":"zh-CN","title":"关系选择器","native":"中文 (简体)"}],"pageTitle":"Combinators - Learn web development | MDN","parents":[{"uri":"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development","title":"Learn"},{"uri":"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core","title":"Core learning modules"},{"uri":"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics","title":"CSS styling basics"},{"uri":"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators","title":"Combinators"}],"popularity":null,"short_title":"Combinators","sidebarHTML":"<ol><li class=\"section\"><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started\">Getting started modules</a></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Environment_setup\">Environment setup</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Environment_setup/Installing_software\">Installing basic software</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Environment_setup/Browsing_the_web\">Browsing the web</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Environment_setup/Code_editors\">Code editors</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Environment_setup/Dealing_with_files\">Dealing with files</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Environment_setup/Command_line\">Command line crash course</a></li></ol></details></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Your_first_website\">Your first website</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Your_first_website/What_will_your_website_look_like\">What will your website look like?</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Your_first_website/Creating_the_content\">HTML: Creating the content</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Your_first_website/Styling_the_content\">CSS: Styling the content</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Your_first_website/Adding_interactivity\">JavaScript: Adding interactivity</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Your_first_website/Publishing_your_website\">Publishing your website</a></li></ol></details></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Web_standards\">Web standards</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Web_standards/How_the_web_works\">How the web works</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Web_standards/The_web_standards_model\">The web standards model</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Web_standards/How_browsers_load_websites\">How browsers load websites</a></li></ol></details></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Soft_skills\">Soft skills</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Soft_skills/Research_and_learning\">Research and learning</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Soft_skills/Collaboration_and_teamwork\">Collaboration and teamwork</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Soft_skills/Workflows_and_processes\">Workflows and processes</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Getting_started/Soft_skills/Job_interviews\">Succeeding in job interviews</a></li></ol></details></li><li class=\"section\"><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core\">Core modules</a></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content\">Structuring content with HTML</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Basic_HTML_syntax\">Basic HTML syntax</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Webpage_metadata\">What's in the head? Webpage metadata</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Headings_and_paragraphs\">Headings and paragraphs in HTML</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Emphasis_and_importance\">Emphasis and importance</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Lists\">Lists</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Structuring_documents\">Structuring documents</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Advanced_text_features\">Advanced text features</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Creating_links\">Creating links</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Marking_up_a_letter\">Challenge: Marking up a letter</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Structuring_a_page_of_content\">Challenge: Structuring a page of content</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/HTML_images\">HTML images</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/HTML_video_and_audio\">HTML video and audio</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Mozilla_splash_page\">Challenge: Mozilla splash page</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/HTML_table_basics\">HTML table basics</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Table_accessibility\">HTML table accessibility</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Planet_data_table\">Challenge: Structuring a planet data table</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/HTML_forms\">Forms and buttons in HTML</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Structuring_content/Debugging_HTML\">Debugging HTML</a></li></ol></details></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details open=\"\"><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics\">CSS styling basics</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/What_is_CSS\">What is CSS?</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Getting_started\">Getting started with CSS</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Styling_a_bio_page\">Challenge: Styling a biography page</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Basic_selectors\">Basic CSS selectors</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Attribute_selectors\">Attribute selectors</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Pseudo_classes_and_elements\">Pseudo-classes and pseudo-elements</a></li><li><em><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Combinators\" aria-current=\"page\">Combinators</a></em></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Box_model\">The box model</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Handling_conflicts\">Handling conflicts</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Values_and_units\">CSS values and units</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Sizing\">Sizing items in CSS</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Backgrounds_and_borders\">Backgrounds and borders</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Overflow\">Overflowing content</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Images_media_forms\">Images, media, and form elements</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Tables\">Styling tables</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Debugging_CSS\">Debugging CSS</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Fundamental_CSS_comprehension\">Challenge: Fundamental CSS comprehension</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Fancy_letterheaded_paper\">Challenge: Creating fancy letterheaded paper</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Styling_basics/Cool-looking_box\">Challenge: A cool-looking box</a></li></ol></details></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Text_styling\">CSS text styling</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Text_styling/Fundamentals\">Fundamental text and font styling</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Text_styling/Styling_lists\">Styling lists</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Text_styling/Styling_links\">Styling links</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Text_styling/Web_fonts\">Web fonts</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Text_styling/Typesetting_a_homepage\">Challenge: Typesetting a community school homepage</a></li></ol></details></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/CSS_layout\">CSS layout</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/CSS_layout/Introduction\">Introduction to CSS layout</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/CSS_layout/Floats\">Floats</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/CSS_layout/Positioning\">Positioning</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/CSS_layout/Flexbox\">Flexbox</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/CSS_layout/Grids\">CSS grid layout</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/CSS_layout/Responsive_Design\">Responsive design</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/CSS_layout/Media_queries\">Media query fundamentals</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/CSS_layout/Fundamental_Layout_Comprehension\">Challenge: Fundamental layout comprehension</a></li></ol></details></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting\">Dynamic scripting with JavaScript</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/What_is_JavaScript\">What is JavaScript?</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/A_first_splash\">A first splash into JavaScript</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/What_went_wrong\">What went wrong? Troubleshooting JavaScript</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Variables\">Storing the information you need — Variables</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Math\">Basic math in JavaScript — numbers and operators</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Strings\">Handling text — strings in JavaScript</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Useful_string_methods\">Useful string methods</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Arrays\">Arrays</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Silly_story_generator\">Challenge: Silly story generator</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Conditionals\">Making decisions in your code — conditionals</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Loops\">Looping code</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Functions\">Functions — reusable blocks of code</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Build_your_own_function\">Build your own function</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Return_values\">Function return values</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Events\">Introduction to events</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Event_bubbling\">Event bubbling</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Image_gallery\">Challenge: Image gallery</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Object_basics\">JavaScript object basics</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/DOM_scripting\">DOM scripting introduction</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Network_requests\">Making network requests with JavaScript</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/JSON\">Working with JSON</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Scripting/Debugging_JavaScript\">Debugging JavaScript and handling errors</a></li></ol></details></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Frameworks_libraries\">JavaScript frameworks and libraries</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Frameworks_libraries/Introduction\">Introduction to client-side frameworks</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Frameworks_libraries/Main_features\">Framework main features</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Frameworks_libraries/React_getting_started\">Getting started with React</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Frameworks_libraries/React_todo_list_beginning\">Beginning our React todo list</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Frameworks_libraries/React_components\">Componentizing our React app</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Frameworks_libraries/React_interactivity_events_state\">React interactivity: Events and state</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Frameworks_libraries/React_interactivity_filtering_conditional_rendering\">React interactivity: Editing, filtering, conditional rendering</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Frameworks_libraries/React_accessibility\">Accessibility in React</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Frameworks_libraries/React_resources\">React resources</a></li></ol></details></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Accessibility\">Accessibility</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Accessibility/What_is_accessibility\">What is accessibility?</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Accessibility/Tooling\">Accessibility tooling and assistive technology</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Accessibility/HTML\">HTML: A good basis for accessibility</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Accessibility/CSS_and_JavaScript\">CSS and JavaScript accessibility best practices</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Accessibility/WAI-ARIA_basics\">WAI-ARIA basics</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Accessibility/Multimedia\">Accessible multimedia</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Accessibility/Mobile\">Mobile accessibility</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Accessibility/Accessibility_troubleshooting\">Challenge: Accessibility troubleshooting</a></li></ol></details></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Design_for_developers\">Design for developers</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Core/Version_control\">Version control</a></li><li class=\"section\"><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions\">Extension modules</a></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Advanced_JavaScript_objects\">Advanced JavaScript objects</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Advanced_JavaScript_objects/Object_prototypes\">Object prototypes</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Advanced_JavaScript_objects/Object-oriented_programming\">Object-oriented programming</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Advanced_JavaScript_objects/Classes_in_JavaScript\">Classes in JavaScript</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Advanced_JavaScript_objects/Object_building_practice\">Object building practice</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Advanced_JavaScript_objects/Adding_bouncing_balls_features\">Challenge: Adding features to our bouncing balls demo</a></li></ol></details></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_APIs\">Client-side web APIs</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_APIs/Introduction\">Introduction to web APIs</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_APIs/Video_and_audio_APIs\">Video and Audio APIs</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_APIs/Drawing_graphics\">Drawing graphics</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_APIs/Client-side_storage\">Client-side storage</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_APIs/Third_party_APIs\">Third-party APIs</a></li></ol></details></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Async_JS\">Asynchronous JavaScript</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Async_JS/Introducing\">Introducing asynchronous JavaScript</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Async_JS/Promises\">How to use promises</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Async_JS/Implementing_a_promise-based_API\">How to implement a promise-based API</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Async_JS/Introducing_workers\">Introducing workers</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Async_JS/Sequencing_animations\">Challenge: Sequencing animations</a></li></ol></details></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms\">Web forms</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms/Your_first_form\">Your first form</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms/How_to_structure_a_web_form\">How to structure a web form</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms/Basic_native_form_controls\">Basic native form controls</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms/HTML5_input_types\">The HTML5 input types</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms/Other_form_controls\">Other form controls</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms/Styling_web_forms\">Styling web forms</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms/Advanced_form_styling\">Advanced form styling</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms/UI_pseudo-classes\">UI pseudo-classes</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms/Form_validation\">Client-side form validation</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Forms/Sending_and_retrieving_form_data\">Sending form data</a></li></ol></details></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_tools\">Understanding client-side tools</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_tools/Overview\">Client-side tooling overview</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_tools/Package_management\">Package management basics</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_tools/Introducing_complete_toolchain\">Introducing a complete toolchain</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Client-side_tools/Deployment\">Deploying our app</a></li></ol></details></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side\">Server-side websites</a></summary><ol><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/First_steps\">Server-side first steps</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/First_steps/Introduction\">Introduction to the server side</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/First_steps/Client-Server_overview\">Client-Server Overview</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/First_steps/Web_frameworks\">Server-side web frameworks</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/First_steps/Website_security\">Website security</a></li></ol></details></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django\">Django web framework (Python)</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Introduction\">Django introduction</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/development_environment\">Setting up a Django development environment</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Tutorial_local_library_website\">Django Tutorial: The Local Library website</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/skeleton_website\">Django Tutorial Part 2: Creating a skeleton website</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Models\">Django Tutorial Part 3: Using models</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Admin_site\">Django Tutorial Part 4: Django admin site</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Home_page\">Django Tutorial Part 5: Creating our home page</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Generic_views\">Django Tutorial Part 6: Generic list and detail views</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Sessions\">Django Tutorial Part 7: Sessions framework</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Authentication\">Django Tutorial Part 8: User authentication and permissions</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Forms\">Django Tutorial Part 9: Working with forms</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Testing\">Django Tutorial Part 10: Testing a Django web application</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/Deployment\">Django Tutorial Part 11: Deploying Django to production</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/web_application_security\">Django web application security</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Django/django_assessment_blog\">Assessment: DIY Django mini blog</a></li></ol></details></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Express_Nodejs\">Express web framework (Node.js)</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Express_Nodejs/Introduction\">Express/Node introduction</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Express_Nodejs/development_environment\">Setting up a Node development environment</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Express_Nodejs/Tutorial_local_library_website\">Express Tutorial: The Local Library website</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Express_Nodejs/skeleton_website\">Express Tutorial Part 2: Creating a skeleton website</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Express_Nodejs/mongoose\">Express Tutorial Part 3: Using a Database (with Mongoose)</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Express_Nodejs/routes\">Express Tutorial Part 4: Routes and controllers</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Express_Nodejs/Displaying_data\">Express Tutorial Part 5: Displaying library data</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Express_Nodejs/forms\">Express Tutorial Part 6: Working with forms</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Server-side/Express_Nodejs/deployment\">Express Tutorial Part 7: Deploying to production</a></li></ol></details></li></ol></details></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance\">Web performance</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance/why_web_performance\">The \"why\" of web performance</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance/What_is_web_performance\">What is web performance?</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance/Perceived_performance\">Perceived performance</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance/Measuring_performance\">Measuring performance</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance/Multimedia\">Multimedia: Images</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance/video\">Multimedia: video</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance/JavaScript\">JavaScript performance optimization</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance/HTML\">HTML performance optimization</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance/CSS\">CSS performance optimization</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Performance/business_case_for_performance\">The business case for web performance</a></li></ol></details></li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Testing\">Testing</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Testing/Introduction\">Introduction to cross-browser testing</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Testing/Testing_strategies\">Strategies for carrying out testing</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Testing/HTML_and_CSS\">Handling common HTML and CSS problems</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Testing/Feature_detection\">Implementing feature detection</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Testing/Automated_testing\">Introduction to automated testing</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Testing/Your_own_automation_environment\">Setting up your own test automation environment</a></li></ol></details></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Transform_animate\">Transform and animate CSS</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Extensions/Security_privacy\">Security and privacy</a></li><li class=\"section\">Further resources</li><li class=\"toggle\"><details><summary><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Howto\">How to solve common problems</a></summary><ol><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Howto/Solve_HTML_problems\">Solve common HTML problems</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Howto/Solve_CSS_problems\">Solve common CSS problems</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Howto/Solve_JavaScript_problems\">Solve common JavaScript problems</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Howto/Web_mechanics\">Web mechanics</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Howto/Tools_and_setup\">Tools and setup</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Howto/Design_and_accessibility\">Design and accessibility</a></li></ol></details></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/About\">About</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Educators\">Resources for educators</a></li><li><a href=\"/en-US/docs/Learn_web_development/Changelog\">Changelog</a></li></ol>","source":{"folder":"en-us/learn_web_development/core/styling_basics/combinators","github_url":"https://github.com/mdn/content/blob/main/files/en-us/learn_web_development/core/styling_basics/combinators/index.md","last_commit_url":"https://github.com/mdn/content/commit/a92e10b293358bc796c43d5872a8981fd988a005","filename":"index.md"},"summary":"The final selectors we will look at are called combinators. Combinators are used to combine other selectors in a way that allows us to select elements based on their location in the DOM relative to other elements (for example, child or sibling).","title":"Combinators","toc":[{"text":"Descendant combinator","id":"descendant_combinator"},{"text":"Child combinator","id":"child_combinator"},{"text":"Next-sibling combinator","id":"next-sibling_combinator"},{"text":"Subsequent-sibling combinator","id":"subsequent-sibling_combinator"},{"text":"Creating complex selectors with nesting","id":"creating_complex_selectors_with_nesting"},{"text":"Combining combinators with selectors","id":"combining_combinators_with_selectors"},{"text":"Test your skills!","id":"test_your_skills!"},{"text":"Summary","id":"summary"}],"pageType":"learn-module-chapter"}}</script></body></html>