Learning outcomes
- Explain how to target elements without excessive specificity.
- Complete the guided practice safely.
- Check that you can apply styles predictably.
CSS Foundations
CSS Selectors
Learn to target elements without excessive specificity and apply styles predictably in this beginner-friendly website development lesson.
Before you begin
Work on a practice copy, keep filenames lowercase and hyphenated, and create a backup before changing a live website.
Step-by-step instructions
- Open the relevant project page, file or WordPress screen and confirm you are working on a safe practice copy.
- Write type, class and state selectors.
- Inspect the result using browser tools or WordPress Preview; do not publish yet.
- Check keyboard use, mobile layout, content accuracy, links, images and privacy where applicable.
- Confirm that you can apply styles predictably, then save a clearly named version or backup.
Ian's practical tip: Preview first, test at desktop and mobile sizes, and keep a recoverable copy before publishing.
Practical activity
Write type, class and state selectors. The expected result is to apply styles predictably.