How to use the CSS :target pseudo-class with HTML anchors?
Jul 09, 2025 am 12:12 AMThe CSS :target pseudo-class allows styling of a specific webpage section when it is targeted via a URL fragment. When a user clicks a link like , the browser scrolls to the element with the matching id, and :target applies styles only to that active element. For example, clicking "Jump to Box" highlights a div with #box:target { background-color: yellow; }. Common uses include tabbed content without JavaScript, form error highlighting, and in-page navigation effects. To simulate tabs: use .tab { display: none; } .tab:target { display: block; }. Tips: only one element can be targeted at a time, support is broad but not persistence-dependent, and styling or animating other elements is possible. 1. It works with HTML anchors. 2. Styles apply only when the anchor is active. 3. Ideal for lightweight interactivity. 4. Not suitable for persistent or complex behavior.
When you want to style or highlight a specific part of a webpage after someone clicks a link pointing to it, the CSS :target
pseudo-class is your go-to tool. It works hand in hand with HTML anchors (#
) to apply styles only when that anchor is active in the URL.

How :target
and Anchors Work Together
Every time a user clicks a link like <a href="#section1"></a>
, the browser scrolls to the element with the matching id="section1"
. The :target
selector lets you apply special styles to that element once it's targeted.
For example:

<a href="#box">Jump to Box</a> <div id="box">This box gets styled when targeted</div>
And in CSS:
#box:target { background-color: yellow; }
So when someone clicks "Jump to Box", that div will get a yellow background — until they click another link or reload the page.

Common Use Cases for :target
You don’t always want to just highlight text. Here are some practical uses:
- Tabbed content without JavaScript: You can show different sections based on which anchor is active.
- Highlighting form errors: If a user submits a form with an error in a field further down the page, you can scroll them there and highlight it.
- Simple in-page navigation effects: Add fade-ins, borders, or even subtle animations when a section becomes the target.
Here’s a basic way to simulate tabs using only HTML and CSS:
<a href="#tab1">Tab 1</a> <a href="#tab2">Tab 2</a> <div id="tab1" class="tab">Content for Tab 1</div> <div id="tab2" class="tab">Content for Tab 2</div>
.tab { display: none; } .tab:target { display: block; }
Tips and Gotchas When Using :target
-
Only one element is targeted at a time — if you have multiple
#
fragments in the URL (which isn't standard), only the last one counts. - Older browsers support it well, but don’t rely on it for critical functionality unless you're sure about your audience.
- It doesn’t persist after page reload — if you need something to stay open or highlighted, use JavaScript or server-side logic instead.
Also, remember that:
- You can style more than just the targeted element by combining selectors.
- You can animate the appearance using transitions, though browser support may vary slightly.
Wrapping Up
Using :target
with anchors is a clean way to add interactivity without JavaScript. It works best for simple interactions like showing content panels or highlighting sections. Just keep in mind its limitations — especially around persistence and complex behavior.
Once you get the hang of it, it's a handy trick for lightweight, accessible UI patterns.
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