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Css nth-child for greater than and less than

html
responsive-design
css-selectors
dom-structure
Anton ShumikhinbyAnton Shumikhin·Sep 13, 2024
TLDR

To apply styles to elements that appear after the 4th child, the formula is li:nth-child(n+5). For fewer than the 4th child, use li:nth-child(-n+3). Below is the breakdown:

Greater Than (4th):

li:nth-child(n+5) { /* The 5th child onwards tells the rest: "Excuse me, your style awaits!" */ }

Less Than (4th):

li:nth-child(-n+3) { /* For the first 3 childs, "Queue up, tiny ones! Styling spa is here!" */ }

Let's dive into a deeper understanding of how we can use both new and old syntax for a more flexible and comprehensive way of styling elements.

Deep dive into nth-child

Syntax Evolution & Cross-Browser Support

The novel :nth-child(n+3 of div.container) syntax hones in on an array of siblings within a specific container. But watch your steps! Only newer browsers support this syntax.

Classic Syntax

Without support for the novel syntax, we would be switching back to the classic .wrapper :nth-child(n+3). Be aware, though, that its performance is influenced by the DOM structure.

When CSS isn't enough...

To your rescue comes JavaScript when CSS selectors aren't powerful enough! JavaScript libraries such as TableColumnFreeze.js offer a higher level of control over styles.

The Catch with ":nth-child"

Beware when using classes with :nth-child as it selects siblings based on their order, NOT the class. This can result in a misaligned selector effect. Opt for sibling combinators like .container + .container ~ .container for a more targeted approach.

Learn by Doing

When in doubt, grab the JSFiddle baton! Test your theories in an interactive environment. Learn from community wisdom and practical examples on code repositories like GitHub.