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.

/* Selects any <input> when focused */ input:focus {   color: red; } 

:focus

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.

/* Selects any <input> when focused */ input:focus {   color: red; } 

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

:focus

Examples

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

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

Result

Accessibility concerns

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.

Accessible Visual Focus Indicators: Give Your Site Some Focus! Tips for Designing Useful and Usable Focus Indicators

: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.

Quick Tip: Never remove CSS outlines

Specifications

Specification
HTML Standard # selector-focus
Selectors Level 4 # focus-pseudo

See also

:focus-visible :focus-within Select your preferred language English (US)DeutschEspañolFrançais日本語한국어Português (do Brasil)Русский中文 (简体) Change language