How to place background image using ::before pseudo selectors in CSS ?

Last Updated : 11 Oct, 2024

The ::before pseudo-element to place a background image in CSS means adding an image behind content by creating a virtual element before the main content. The ::before element is styled with background-image, content, and positioned with CSS, enhancing design flexibility.

The ::before pseudo selector is used to place something before the content of the selected items.

Syntax

.container::before{
    content: '';
    background: url(image file);
    position:absolute;
    top:0px;
    left:0px;
}

Approach: Using ::before pseudo selectors

The ::before pseudo-selector adds a background image before the selected element. If the element has a background color, use the z-index property to position the image behind the content, making it visible.

Example: In this example we are using the ::before pseudo-element to add a background image behind the content in the .container. It positions the image with absolute, sets opacity, and uses z-index to layer it.

HTML

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">

<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">

    <title>
        How to place the background image
        using ::before pseudo selectors ?
    </title>

    <style>
        * {
            margin: 0px;
            padding: 0px;
        }

        body {
            text-align: center;
        }

        h1 {
            color: green;
        }

        .container {
            width: 100vw;
            height: 100vh;
            display: flex;
            justify-content: center;
            align-items: center;
            color: black;
            font-weight: bold;
            font-size: 2rem;
        }

        .container::before {
            content: '';
            background: url(
'https://media.geeksforgeeks.org/wp-content/cdn-uploads/20200212230557/
How-To-Become-A-Web-Developer-in-2020-A-Complete-Guide.png') no-repeat center center/cover;
            position: absolute;
            opacity: 0.3;
            top: 0px;
            left: 0px;
            width: 100vw;
            height: 100vh;
            z-index: -1;
        }

        span {
            font-size: 2em;
        }
    </style>
</head>

<body>
    <div class="container">
        GeeksforGeeks<br><br>
        How to place background image using
        ::before pseudo selectors ?
    </div>
</body>

</html>