CSS counter-reset Property
Creates or resets CSS counters to a given value
Syntax
counter-reset: none | <counter-name> <integer>?;Values
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| none | No counter reset |
| <name> | Resets the named counter to 0 |
| <name> 5 | Resets to 5 |
Example
.chapter {
counter-reset: section;
}
h2 {
counter-increment: section;
}
h2::before {
content: counter(section) ". ";
}Understanding CSS counter-reset
The CSS counter-reset property creates or resets CSS counters to a given value. As part of the Misc module in CSS, it is one of the most commonly used properties for controlling the visual presentation of web pages.
You can set counter-reset to values such as none, <name>, <name> 5, among others. Each value changes how the browser renders the affected element, giving you fine-grained control over your page layout and design. Choosing the right value depends on the specific design requirements of your project.
Common use cases for the counter-reset property include responsive web design, component-based layouts, and creating visually consistent interfaces across devices. It works closely with related properties like counter-increment, content, list-style to achieve complex styling effects. Understanding how these properties interact helps you write cleaner, more maintainable stylesheets.
Browser support for counter-reset is excellent across all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. For older browsers, consider using fallback values or progressive enhancement strategies. The property can also be set dynamically via JavaScript using element.style.counterReset or the CSS custom properties (variables) approach for theming.
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