# .eq()

## eq ( index ) Returns: jQuery version added: 1.1.2

- index
  Type: Integer
  An integer indicating the 0-based position of the element.

## eq ( -index ) Returns: jQuery version added: 1.4

- -index
  Type: Integer
  An integer indicating the position of the element, counting backwards from the last element in the set.

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

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.

## Examples:

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

    <!doctype html>
    <html lang="en">
    <head>
      <meta charset="utf-8">
      <title>css demo</title>

      <style>

      div {
        width: 60px;
        height: 60px;
        margin: 10px;
        float: left;
        border: 2px solid blue;
      }
      .blue {
        background: blue;
      }

      </style>

      <script src="//code.jquery.com/jquery-1.10.2.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: