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:dir

This is an experimental technology
Check the Browser compatibility table carefully before using this in production.

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 )

Example

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

Browser compatibilityUpdate compatibility data on GitHub

	Desktop
	Chrome	Edge	Firefox	Internet Explorer	Opera	Safari
Basic support	No	No	49 49 17 — 53 Prefixed Prefixed Requires the vendor prefix: -moz-	No	No	No

	Mobile
	Android webview	Chrome for Android	Edge Mobile	Firefox for Android	Opera for Android	iOS Safari	Samsung Internet
Basic support	No	No	No	49 49 17 — 53 Prefixed Prefixed Requires the vendor prefix: -moz-	No	No	No