counter-set

Baseline 2023

Newly available

Since December 2023, this feature works across the latest devices and browser versions. This feature might not work in older devices or browsers.

The counter-set CSS property sets CSS counters on the element to the given values.

If the counters don't exist the counter-set property creates a new counter for each named counter in the list of space-separated counter and value pairs. However, to create a new counter it is recommended to use the counter-reset CSS property.

If a named counter in the list is missing a value, the value of the counter will be set to 0.

Try it

Note: The counter's value can be incremented or decremented using the counter-increment CSS property.

Syntax

css
/* Set "my-counter" to 0 */
counter-set: my-counter;

/* Set "my-counter" to -1 */
counter-set: my-counter -1;

/* Set "counter1" to 1, and "counter2" to 4 */
counter-set: counter1 1 counter2 4;

/* Cancel any counter that could have been set in less specific rules */
counter-set: none;

/* Global values */
counter-set: inherit;
counter-set: initial;
counter-set: revert;
counter-set: revert-layer;
counter-set: unset;

The counter-set property is specified as either one of the following:

  • A <custom-ident> naming the counter, followed optionally by an <integer>. You may specify as many counters to reset as you want, with each name or name-number pair separated by a space.
  • The keyword value none.

Values

<custom-ident>

The name of the counter to set.

<integer>

The value to set the counter to on each occurrence of the element. Defaults to 0 if not specified. If there isn't currently a counter of the given name on the element, the element will create a new counter of the given name with a starting value of 0 (though it may then immediately set or increment that value to something different).

none

No counter set is to be performed. This can be used to override a counter-set defined in a less specific rule.

Formal definition

Initial valuenone
Applies toall elements
Inheritedno
Computed valueas specified
Animation typeby computed value type

Formal syntax

counter-set = 
  [ <counter-name> <integer>? ]+  |
  none

Examples

Setting named counters

css
h1 {
  counter-set: chapter section 1 page;
  /* Sets the chapter and page counters to 0,
     and the section counter to 1 */
}

Specifications

Specification
CSS Lists and Counters Module Level 3
# propdef-counter-set

Browser compatibility

BCD tables only load in the browser

See also