Summary
The :active CSS pseudo-class matches when an element is being activated by the user. It allows the page to give a feedback that the activation has been detected by the browser. When interacting with a mouse, this is typically the time between the user presses the mouse button and releases it. The :active pseudo-class is also typically matched when using the keyboard tab key. It is frequently used on <a> and <button> HTML elements, but may not be limited to just those.
This style may be overridden by any other link-related pseudo-classes, that is :link, :hover, and :visited, appearing in subsequent rules. In order to style the appropriate links, you need to put the :active rule after all the other link-related rules, as defined by the LVHA-order: :link — :visited — :hover — :active.
:active pseudo-class must only apply to the primary button; on right-handed mice, this is typically the leftmost button.Example
HTML
<body>
<h1>:active CSS selector example</h1>
<p>The following link will turn lime during the time you click it and release the click: <a href="#">Mozilla Developer Network</a>.</p>
</body>
CSS
body { background-color: #ffffc9 }
a:link { color: blue } /* unvisited links */
a:visited { color: purple } /* visited links */
a:hover { font-weight: bold } /* user hovers */
a:active { color: lime } /* active links */
Specifications
| Specification | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| WHATWG HTML Living Standard The definition of ':active' in that specification. |
Living Standard | |
| Selectors Level 4 The definition of ':active' in that specification. |
Working Draft | No change. |
| Selectors Level 3 The definition of ':active' in that specification. |
Recommendation | No change. |
| CSS Level 2 (Revision 1) The definition of ':active' in that specification. |
Recommendation | No change. |
| CSS Level 1 The definition of ':active' in that specification. |
Recommendation | Initial definition. |
Browser compatibility
[1] By default, Safari Mobile does not use the :active state unless there is a touchstart event handler on the relevant element or on the <body>.