:focus CSS pseudo-class

The :focus CSS pseudo-class represents an element (such as a form input) that has received focus. It is generally triggered when the user clicks or taps on an element or selects it with the keyboard's Tab key.

Try it

label {
  display: block;
  margin-top: 1em;
}

input:focus {
  background-color: lightblue;
}

select:focus {
  background-color: ivory;
}
<form>
  <p>Which flavor would you like to order?</p>
  <label>Full Name: <input name="firstName" type="text" /></label>
  <label
    >Flavor:
    <select name="flavor">
      <option>Cherry</option>
      <option>Green Tea</option>
      <option>Moose Tracks</option>
      <option>Mint Chip</option>
    </select>
  </label>
</form>

Note: This pseudo-class applies only to the focused element itself. Use :focus-within if you want to select an element that contains a focused element.

Syntax

css
:focus {
  /* ... */
}

Accessibility

Make sure the visual focus indicator can be seen by people with low vision. This will also benefit anyone use a screen in a brightly lit space (like outside in the sun). WCAG 2.1 SC 1.4.11 Non-Text Contrast requires that the visual focus indicator be at least 3 to 1.

:focus { outline: none; }

Never just remove the focus outline (visible focus indicator) without replacing it with a focus outline that will pass WCAG 2.1 SC 1.4.11 Non-Text Contrast.

Examples

undefined

HTML

html
<div><input class="red-input" value="I'll be red when focused." /></div>
<div><input class="blue-input" value="I'll be blue when focused." /></div>

CSS

css
.red-input:focus {
  background: yellow;
  color: red;
}

.blue-input:focus {
  background: yellow;
  color: blue;
}

Result

Specifications

See also