# .eq()

Categories: Traversing > Filtering

## .eq( index ) Returns: jQuery

Description: Reduce the set of matched elements to the one at the specified index.

- #### version added: 1.1.2.eq( index )

  indexAn integer indicating the 0-based position of the element.

- #### version added: 1.4.eq( -index )

  -indexAn integer indicating the position of the element, counting backwards from the last element in the set.

Given a jQuery object that represents a set of DOM elements, the `.eq()` method constructs a new jQuery object from one element within that set. The supplied index identifies the position of this element in the set.

Consider a page with a simple list on it:

      <ul>
        <li>list item 1</li>
        <li>list item 2</li>
        <li>list item 3</li>
        <li>list item 4</li>
        <li>list item 5</li>
      </ul>

We can apply this method to the set of list items:

      $('li').eq(2).css('background-color', 'red');

The result of this call is a red background for item 3. Note that the supplied index is zero-based, and refers to the position of the element within the jQuery object, not within the DOM tree.

Providing a negative number indicates a position starting from the end of the set, rather than the beginning. For example:

      $('li').eq(-2).css('background-color', 'red');

This time list item 4 is turned red, since it is two from the end of the set.

If an element cannot be found at the specified zero-based index, the method constructs a new jQuery object with an empty set and a `length` property of 0.

      $('li').eq(5).css('background-color', 'red');

Here, none of the list items is turned red, since `.eq(5)` indicates the sixth of five list items.

### Example:

#### Turn the div with index 2 blue by adding an appropriate class.

    <!DOCTYPE html>
    <html>
    <head>
      <style>
      div { width:60px; height:60px; margin:10px; float:left;
            border:2px solid blue; }
      .blue { background:blue; }
      </style>
      <script src="http://code.jquery.com/jquery-1.7rc2.js"></script>
    </head>
    <body>
      <div></div>
      <div></div>
      <div></div>

      <div></div>
      <div></div>
      <div></div>
    <script>

        $("body").find("div").eq(2).addClass("blue");
    </script>

    </body>
    </html>

#### Demo: