Can you combine the :not() pseudo-class with other CSS Selectors?
Jul 03, 2025 am 12:39 AM
<p> Yes, you absolutely can combine the :not() pseudo-class with other CSS selectors. In fact, doing so is a powerful way to target specific elements while excluding others based on multiple conditions.
How :not() Works on Its Own
<p> Before diving into combinations, let's briefly recap how :not() works. It allows you to select elements that do not match a certain selector. For example:
p:not(.special) {
color: blue;
}<p> This rule applies blue text only to <p> elements that don't have the class .special . Combining :not() with Other Selectors
<p> You can layer :not() with other selectors like classes, attributes, pseudo-classes, and more. This helps refine your targeting without needing extra HTML classes or JavaScript. 
1. Combine :not() with Classes
<p> If you want to style all links except those with a specific class: a:not(.btn) {
text-decoration: underline;
}<p> This targets all <a> tags that are not using the .btn class — useful for avoiding conflicts with button styles.<p> A common use case: You might have a global link style but don't want it applied to buttons or nav items.
2. Use :not() with Multiple Conditions
<p> You can even stack multiple exclusions inside one :not() by separating them with commas: input:not([type="text"], [type="email"]) {
background-color: #f0f0f0;
}<p> This selects any <input> element whose type is not text or email . So checkboxes, radios, and file inputs would match.<p> Just remember: The comma inside :not() acts like an OR condition — it excludes anything that matches either selector listed. 3. Combine :not() with Pseudo-classes
<p> You can also pair :not() with pseudo-classes like :hover , :first-child , or :nth-of-type() .<p> For example: li:not(:first-child) {
margin-top: 10px;
}<p> This gives top margin to all list items except the first one. Great for spacing lists without adding unecessary classes.<p> Or another practical case: button:not(:disabled) {
cursor: pointer;
}<p> Here, the cursor will only show as a pointer on enabled buttons.
Some Things to Keep in Mind
-
:not()doesn't increase specificity much, but what's inside it does. For example,.class:not(.other)has class-level specification. - You can't nest
:not()inside itself (like:not(:not(...))) — it just gets ignored. - Avoid overcomplicating selectors. Simpler rules are easier to read and maintain.
<p> In short, combining
:not() with other selectors is totally valid and often helpful when you need fine-grained control over styling. Just keep it readable and test across browsers if needed.
<p> Basically that's it.The above is the detailed content of Can you combine the :not() pseudo-class with other CSS Selectors?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!
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