:active
Baseline Widely available
This feature is well established and works across many devices and browser versions. It’s been available across browsers since July 2015.
The :active CSS pseudo-class represents an element (such as a button) that is being activated by the user. When using a mouse, "activation" typically starts when the user presses down the primary mouse button.
Try it
.joinBtn {
width: 10em;
height: 5ex;
background-image: linear-gradient(135deg, #f34079 40%, #fc894d);
border: none;
border-radius: 5px;
font-weight: bold;
color: white;
cursor: pointer;
}
.joinBtn:active {
box-shadow: 2px 2px 5px #fc894d;
}
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The :active pseudo-class is commonly used on and elements. Other common targets of this pseudo-class include elements that are contained in an activated element, and form elements that are being activated through their associated .
Styles defined by the :active pseudo-class will be overridden by any subsequent link-related pseudo-class (:link, :hover, or :visited) that has at least equal specificity. To style links appropriately, put the :active rule after all other link-related rules, as defined by the LVHA-order: :link — :visited — :hover — :active.
Note:
On systems with multi-button mice, CSS specifies that the :active pseudo-class must only apply to the primary button; on right-handed mice, this is typically the leftmost button.
Syntax
:active {
/* ... */
}
Examples
Active links
HTML
This paragraph contains a link:
This link will turn red while you click on it.
The paragraph will get a gray background while you click on it or the link.
CSS
/* Unvisited links */
a:link {
color: blue;
}
/* Visited links */
a:visited {
color: purple;
}
/* Hovered links */
a:hover {
background: yellow;
}
/* Active links */
a:active {
color: red;
}
/* Active paragraphs */
p:active {
background: #eee;
}
Result
Active form elements
HTML
CSS
form :active {
color: red;
}
form button {
background: white;
}
Result
Specifications
| Specification |
|---|
| HTML # selector-active |
| Selectors Level 4 # active-pseudo |