Web/CSS/ dir

The :dir() CSS pseudo-class matches elements based on the directionality of the text contained in them.

/* Selects any element with right-to-left text */
:dir(rtl) {
  background-color: red;
}

The :dir() pseudo-class uses only the semantic value of the directionality, i.e., the one defined in the document itself. It doesn't account for styling directionality, i.e., the directionality set by CSS properties such as direction.

Note: Be aware that the behavior of the :dir() pseudo-class is not equivalent to the [dir=…] attribute selectors. The latter match the HTML dir attribute, and ignore elements that lack it — even if they inherit a direction from their parent. (Similarly, [dir=rtl] and [dir=ltr] won't match the auto value.) In contrast, :dir() will match the value calculated by the user agent, even if inherited.

Note: In HTML, the direction is determined by the dir attribute. Other document types may have different methods.

Syntax

The :dir() pseudo-class requires one parameter, representing the text directionality you want to target.

Parameters

ltr: Target left-to-right elements.
rtl: Target right-to-left elements.

Formal syntax

:dir( ltr | rtl )

Examples

HTML

<div dir="rtl">
  <span>test1</span>
  <div dir="ltr">test2
    <div dir="auto">עִבְרִית</div>
  </div>
</div>

CSS

:dir(ltr) {
  background-color: yellow;
}

:dir(rtl) {
  background-color: powderblue;
}

Result

Specifications

Specification	Status	Comment
HTML Living StandardThe definition of ':dir(ltr)' in that specification.	Living Standard	No changes.
Selectors Level 4The definition of ':dir()' in that specification.	Working Draft	Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

Update compatibility data on GitHub

	Desktop						Mobile
	Chrome	Edge	Firefox	Internet Explorer	Opera	Safari	Android webview	Chrome for Android	Firefox for Android	Opera for Android	Safari on iOS	Samsung Internet
`:dir()`	Chrome No support No	Edge No support No	Firefox Full support 49 Full support 49 No support 17 — 53 Prefixed' Prefixed' Implemented with the vendor prefix: -moz-	IE No support No	Opera No support No	Safari No support No	WebView Android No support No	Chrome Android No support No	Firefox Android Full support 49 Full support 49 No support 17 — 53 Prefixed' Prefixed' Implemented with the vendor prefix: -moz-	Opera Android No support No	Safari iOS No support No	Samsung Internet Android No support No

Legend

Full support: Full support
No support: No support
Requires a vendor prefix or different name for use.': Requires a vendor prefix or different name for use.