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Specificity

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May 1, 2024 3 minute read

How Specificity Works

The specificity of a CSS rule is calculated based on the number and type of selectors it uses.

Inline styles have the highest specificity, followed by ID selectors, class selectors, and element selectors.

For example, the following inline style will have higher specificity than the following element style:

  • <p style="color: red;">This is some text</p>
  • <p>This is some text</p>

If two rules have the same specificity, the rule that appears later in the CSS code will take precedence.

Specificity and CSS Inheritance

Specificity also affects how CSS inheritance works.

When an element inherits a property from its parent, the inherited property will have the same specificity as the property in the parent's style rule.

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Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Specificity.
Comprehensive guide to CSS, covering everything from the basics to advanced techniques. It includes a detailed discussion of specificity and how it can be used to control the appearance of web pages.
Collection of tips and tricks for writing better CSS code. It includes a section on specificity and how to use it to your advantage.
More advanced guide to CSS specificity. It covers topics such as using specificity to troubleshoot CSS problems and creating complex CSS layouts.
More advanced guide to CSS, covering topics such as using CSS preprocessors, creating responsive designs, and debugging CSS code. It includes a section on specificity and how to use it to troubleshoot CSS problems.
Collection of CSS recipes that can be used to solve common web design problems. It includes a section on specificity and how to use it to achieve the desired results.
Comprehensive guide to HTML5. It includes a section on CSS specificity and how it interacts with HTML5.
Comprehensive guide to CSS. It includes a section on specificity and how to use it to control the appearance of web pages.
Beginner's guide to CSS. It includes a section on specificity and how to use it to style web pages.
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Guide to CSS3. It includes a section on specificity and how it interacts with CSS3.
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