Definition and Usage
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 appropriately 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.
Note: On systems with multi-button mice, CSS 3 specifies that the :active pseudo-class must only apply to the primary button; on right-handed mice, this is typically the leftmost button.
Examples
HTML
2 | <h1>:active CSS selector example</h1> |
3 | <p>The following link will turn lime during the time you click it and release the click: <a href="#">Mozilla Developer Network</a>.</p> |
CSS
1 | body { background-color: #ffffc9 } |
3 | a:visited { color: purple } |
4 | a:hover { font-weight: bold } |
5 | a:active { color: lime } |
Compatibility
Desktop browsers
| Feature | Chrome | Firefox (Gecko) | Internet Explorer | Opera | Safari |
Support on the <a> element | 1.0 | 1.0 (1.7 or earlier) | 4.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 |
| Support on any element | 1.0 | 1.0 (1.7 or earlier) | 8.0 | 7.0 | NA |
Mobile browsers
| Feature | Android | Firefox Mobile (Gecko) | IE Mobile | Opera Mobile | Safari Mobile |
Support on the <a> element | 1.0 | 1.0 (1.0) | 6.0 | 6.0 | 1.0 |
| Support on any element | 1.0 | 1.0 (1.0) | NA | NA | NA |
