Node.parentElement

The Node.parentElement read-only property returns the DOM node's parent Element, or null if the node either has no parent, or its parent isn't a DOM Element.

Syntax

parentElement = node.parentElement

parentElement is the parent element of the current node. This is always a DOM Element object, or null.

Example

if (node.parentElement) {
    node.parentElement.style.color = "red";
}

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
DOM
The definition of 'parentElement' in that specification.		 Living Standard Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

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On some browsers, the parentElement property is only defined on nodes that are themselves an Element. In particular, it is not defined on text nodes.

See also