The ::first-line CSS pseudo-element applies styles to the first line of a block-level element.

/* Selects the first line of a <p> */ p::first-line {   color: red; } 

::first-line (:first-line)

The ::first-line CSS pseudo-element applies styles to the first line of a block-level element.

/* Selects the first line of a <p> */ p::first-line {   color: red; } 

The effects of ::first-line are limited by the length and content of the first line of text in the element. The length of the first line depends on many factors, including the width of the element, the width of the document, and the font size of the text. ::first-line has no effect when the first child of the element, which would be the first part of the first line, is an inline block-level element, such as an inline table.

Note: CSS3 introduced the ::first-line notation (with two colons) to distinguish pseudo-classes from pseudo-elements. Browsers also accept :first-line, introduced in CSS2.

Allowable properties

Only a small subset of CSS properties can be used with the ::first-line pseudo-element:

All font-related properties: font, font-kerning, font-style, font-variant, font-variant-numeric, font-variant-position, font-variant-east-asian, font-variant-caps, font-variant-alternates, font-variant-ligatures, font-synthesis, font-feature-settings, font-language-override, font-weight, font-size, font-size-adjust, font-stretch, and font-family All background-related properties: background-color, background-clip, background-image, background-origin, background-position, background-repeat, background-size, background-attachment, and background-blend-mode The color property word-spacing, letter-spacing, text-decoration, text-transform, and line-height text-shadow, text-decoration, text-decoration-color, text-decoration-line, text-decoration-style, and vertical-align.

Syntax

/* CSS3 syntax */ ::first-line  /* CSS2 syntax */ :first-line

Examples

HTML

<p>Styles will only be applied to the first line of this paragraph. After that, all text will be styled like normal. See what I mean?</p>  <span>The first line of this text will not receive special styling because it is not a block-level element.</span> 

CSS

::first-line {   color: blue;   text-transform: uppercase;    /* WARNING: DO NOT USE THESE */   /* Many properties are invalid in ::first-line pseudo-elements */   margin-left: 20px;   text-indent: 20px; } 

Result

Specifications

Specification
CSS Pseudo-Elements Module Level 4 # first-line-pseudo

See also

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