How can I select an element with multiple classes in jQuery?

jQuery lets you combine class selectors by simply placing them in sequence, separated by periods. If you have an element with two (or more) classes, here’s the simplest way to target it:

$('.classOne.classTwo').css('background-color', 'lightblue');

This selector targets only elements that have both classOne and classTwo simultaneously.

Why It Works

In CSS (and by extension jQuery selectors), chaining classes like .classOne.classTwo means you’re selecting elements that must contain all of those classes in their class attribute. This approach narrows down your selection to exactly the elements you need.

More Examples

• Target three classes:

  $('.btn.primary.rounded').fadeOut();

• Filter out siblings:
  Perhaps you only want the .highlight class that also has a .warning class:

  $('.highlight.warning').text('This is important!');

Best Practices

• Keep class naming consistent so you can rely on straightforward selectors.
• Combine with other attributes if needed. For instance, $('.classOne.classTwo[data-type="custom"]').hide() to be more specific.

Sharpen Your Skills Further

To solidify your expertise in JavaScript and DOM manipulation, here are some standout resources:

1. Grokking JavaScript Fundamentals – Build a strong base in JavaScript that covers everything from ES6+ features to async programming, ensuring you’re well-versed in modern front-end development.

2. Grokking the Coding Interview: Patterns for Coding Questions – Ideal if you’re prepping for technical interviews, focusing on pattern-based problem-solving strategies frequently tested in FAANG and other top-tier companies.

For hands-on guidance, consider scheduling a Coding Mock Interview with DesignGurus.io. You’ll get personalized feedback from ex-FAANG engineers to refine your approach and boost your confidence in solving real-world coding problems.

Bottom Line
When you need to target elements that match multiple classes simultaneously, you can simply concatenate them in a single jQuery selector. This approach keeps your code organized and prevents selecting unintended elements in the DOM.