HTML DOM Element closest() method

Definition and usage

closest() The method searches for elements in the DOM tree that match the specified CSS selector.

closest() The method starts from the element itself and then goes up the ancestor (parent, grandparent element, ...) until a match is found.

If no match is found closest() The method returns null.

See also:

Complete CSS selector reference manual

Element matches() method

Instance

Example 1

Find the closest element that matches the CSS selector ".container":

const element = document.getElementById("myElement");
const closest = element.closest(".container");

Try it yourself

Example 2

Find the closest element that matches ".container" or ".wrapper":

const element = document.getElementById(".container, .wrapper");
const closest = element.closest(".container");

Try it yourself

Syntax

element.closest(selectors)

Parameter

Parameter Description
selectors

Required. One or more (comma-separated) CSS selectors to match.

Please refer to our complete CSS Selector Reference Manual.

Return value

Type Description
Object

The closest ancestor element or the element itself that matches the specified CSS selector.

Returns null if no match is found.

A SYNTAX_ERR exception is thrown if the selector is invalid.

browser support

fully supports closest() Browser version of the method:

Chrome Edge Firefox Safari Opera
Chrome
41		 Edge
15		 Firefox
35		 Safari
9		 Opera
28
March 2015 April 2017 January 2015 October 2015 March 2015