CSS basics · Lesson 11 of 12 · 7 minutes

CSS basics: Focus-visible states

Keyboard focus needs a visible indicator. focus-visible can provide one without relying on hover.

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Your objectives

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1
Build focus-visible states
Build this first target: button:focus-visible with outline: 3px solid #164e45. Keep the selector relationships intact and inspect the preview.
Hint & worked example
Keyboard focus needs a visible indicator. focus-visible can provide one without relying on hover.
The requested selectors and declarations exist outside comments.
```
button:focus-visible { outline: 3px solid #164e45; }
```
Common mistake to avoid: If the page fits one desktop viewport, no narrower viewport needs checking.
2
Extend the focus-visible states example
Extend your file to include: button:focus-visible with outline: 3px solid #164e45; button:focus-visible with outline-offset: 3px. Keep the selector relationships intact and inspect the preview.
Hint & worked example
Keyboard focus needs a visible indicator. focus-visible can provide one without relying on hover.
The requested selectors and declarations exist outside comments.
```
button:focus-visible { outline: 3px solid #164e45; }
button:focus-visible { outline-offset: 3px; }
```
Common mistake to avoid: Hiding all overflow always makes content accessible.
3
Verify the complete focus-visible states pattern
Finish the pattern with: button:focus-visible with outline: 3px solid #164e45; button:focus-visible with outline-offset: 3px; button with padding: 0.75rem 1rem. Keep the selector relationships intact and inspect the preview.
Hint & worked example
Keyboard focus needs a visible indicator. focus-visible can provide one without relying on hover.
The requested selectors and declarations exist outside comments.
```
button:focus-visible { outline: 3px solid #164e45; }
button:focus-visible { outline-offset: 3px; }
button { padding: 0.75rem 1rem; }
```
Common mistake to avoid: If the page fits one desktop viewport, no narrower viewport needs checking.

Understand the pattern

Keyboard focus needs a visible indicator. focus-visible can provide one without relying on hover.

Misconceptions to reject

If the page fits one desktop viewport, no narrower viewport needs checking.
Hiding all overflow always makes content accessible.

The preview is a sanitized subset, not a full browser compatibility test.

Worked example and expected result

button:focus-visible { outline: 3px solid #164e45; }
button:focus-visible { outline-offset: 3px; }
button { padding: 0.75rem 1rem; }

Keyboard focus needs a visible indicator. focus-visible can provide one without relying on hover.

Try a variation

Adapt the final example to a different project name while retaining its structure and relationships. A different context still needs a real browser and accessibility check.

Explain it

Which statement correctly explains focus-visible states?Keyboard focus needs a visible indicator. focus-visible can provide one without relying on hover.If the page fits one desktop viewport, no narrower viewport needs checking.Hiding all overflow always makes content accessible.

Apply it elsewhere

You reuse focus-visible states in a different project. What must still be verified?Nothing; passing a single exercise guarantees every future use.Only whether the source code has the same number of lines.The resulting layout, focus behavior, and readability at the target viewport sizes.

Keep the momentum.

Complete the lab, then explain and apply the pattern.

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