CSS :not() Pseudo Class

CSS `:not()` Pseudo-Class

The :not() pseudo-class allows you to exclude elements that match a specific selector. It’s useful when you want to style everything except certain elements.

1. Syntax

selector:not(condition) {
  /* Styles for elements that DO NOT match the condition */
}

✅ The :not() function takes one simple selector (not a full selector chain).

2. Example – Exclude a Specific Element

<ul>
  <li>Item 1</li>
  <li class="exclude">Item 2 (excluded)</li>
  <li>Item 3</li>
  <li>Item 4</li>
</ul>

li:not(.exclude) {
  color: green;
}

✅ All <li> elements EXCEPT .exclude turn green.

3. Excluding Multiple Elements

p:not(.important, .highlight) {
  color: gray;
}

✅ All <p> elements except those with .important or .highlight turn gray.

4. Combining `:not()` with Other Selectors

Exclude the Last Child

li:not(:last-child) {
  border-bottom: 1px solid black;
}

✅ Adds a bottom border to all <li> except the last one.

Exclude Disabled Inputs

input:not(:disabled) {
  background-color: lightyellow;
}

✅ Only enabled inputs get a light yellow background.

Target Everything Except `div`

*:not(div) {
  margin: 10px;
}

✅ Every element except <div> gets margin: 10px.

5. `:not()` with Multiple Conditions

p:not(:first-child, .special) {
  font-style: italic;
}

✅ Styles all <p> elements except:
✔ The first child
✔ Elements with .special class

6. `:not()` vs. `:has()` (Upcoming Feature)

:not() excludes elements matching a condition.
:has() (not widely supported yet) selects elements that contain certain children.

7. Browser Support

✅ Fully supported in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Opera.

8. Best Practices

✔ Use :not() for exclusion instead of writing complex selectors.
✔ Combine it with pseudo-classes (:last-child, :nth-child(), etc.).
✔ Avoid overly complex :not() rules to maintain readability.

Souy Soeng

CSS :not() Pseudo Class