---
title: Locators | Browser Mode
outline: [2, 3]
---

# Locators

A locator is a representation of an element or a number of elements. Every locator is defined by a string called a selector. Vitest abstracts this selector by providing convenient methods that generate them behind the scenes.

The locator API uses a fork of [Playwright's locators](https://playwright.dev/docs/api/class-locator) called [Ivya](https://npmx.dev/ivya). However, Vitest provides this API to every [provider](/config/browser/provider), not just playwright.

::: tip
This page covers API usage. To better understand locators and their usage, read [Playwright's "Locators" documentation](https://playwright.dev/docs/locators).
:::

::: tip Difference from `testing-library`
Vitest's `page.getBy*` methods return a locator object, not a DOM element. This makes locator queries composable and allows Vitest to retry interactions and assertions when needed.

Compared to testing-library queries:

- Use locator chaining (`.getBy*`, `.filter`, `.nth`) instead of `within(...)`.
- Keep locators around and interact with them later (`await locator.click()`), instead of resolving elements up front.
- Single-element escape hatches like `.element()` and `.query()` are strict and throw if multiple elements match.

```ts
import { expect } from 'vitest'
import { page } from 'vitest/browser'

const deleteButton = page
  .getByRole('row')
  .filter({ hasText: 'Vitest' })
  .getByRole('button', { name: /delete/i })

await deleteButton.click()
await expect.element(deleteButton).toBeEnabled()
```
:::

## getByRole

```ts
function getByRole(
  role: ARIARole | string,
  options?: LocatorByRoleOptions,
): Locator
```

Creates a way to locate an element by its [ARIA role](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Accessibility/ARIA/Roles), [ARIA attributes](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Accessibility/ARIA/Attributes) and [accessible name](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/Accessible_name).

::: tip
If you only query for a single element with `getByText('The name')` it's oftentimes better to use `getByRole(expectedRole, { name: 'The name' })`. The accessible name query does not replace other queries such as `*ByAltText` or `*ByTitle`. While the accessible name can be equal to these attributes, it does not replace the functionality of these attributes.
:::

Consider the following DOM structure.

```html
<h3>Sign up</h3>
<label>
  Login
  <input type="text" />
</label>
<label>
  Password
  <input type="password" />
</label>
<br/>
<button>Submit</button>
```

You can locate each element by its implicit role:

```ts
await expect.element(
  page.getByRole('heading', { name: 'Sign up' })
).toBeVisible()

await page.getByRole('textbox', { name: 'Login' }).fill('admin')
await page.getByRole('textbox', { name: 'Password' }).fill('admin')

await page.getByRole('button', { name: /submit/i }).click()
```

::: warning
Roles are matched by string equality, without inheriting from the ARIA role hierarchy. As a result, querying a superclass role like `checkbox` will not include elements with a subclass role like `switch`.

By default, many semantic elements in HTML have a role; for example, `<input type="radio">` has the "radio" role. Non-semantic elements in HTML do not have a role; `<div>` and `<span>` without added semantics return `null`. The `role` attribute can provide semantics.

Providing roles via `role` or `aria-*` attributes to built-in elements that already have an implicit role is **highly discouraged** by ARIA guidelines.
:::

**Options**

- `exact: boolean`

  Whether the `name` is matched exactly: case-sensitive and whole-string. Disabled by default. This option is ignored if `name` is a regular expression. Note that exact match still trims whitespace.

  ```tsx
  <button>Hello World</button>

  page.getByRole('button', { name: 'hello world' }) // ✅
  page.getByRole('button', { name: 'hello world', exact: true }) // ❌
  page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Hello World', exact: true }) // ✅
  ```

- `checked: boolean`

  Should checked elements (set by `aria-checked` or `<input type="checkbox"/>`) be included or not. By default, the filter is not applied.

  See [`aria-checked`](https://www.w3.org/TR/wai-aria-1.2/#aria-checked) for more information

  ```tsx
  <>
    <button role="checkbox" aria-checked="true" />
    <input type="checkbox" checked />
  </>

  page.getByRole('checkbox', { checked: true }) // ✅
  page.getByRole('checkbox', { checked: false }) // ❌
  ```

- `disabled: boolean`

  Should disabled elements be included or not. By default, the filter is not applied. Note that unlike other attributes, `disable` state is inherited.

  See [`aria-disabled`](https://www.w3.org/TR/wai-aria-1.2/#aria-disabled) for more information

  ```tsx
  <input type="text" disabled />

  page.getByRole('textbox', { disabled: true }) // ✅
  page.getByRole('textbox', { disabled: false }) // ❌
  ```

- `expanded: boolean`

  Should expanded elements be included or not. By default, the filter is not applied.

  See [`aria-expanded`](https://www.w3.org/TR/wai-aria-1.2/#aria-expanded) for more information

  ```tsx
  <a aria-expanded="true" href="example.com">Link</a>

  page.getByRole('link', { expanded: true }) // ✅
  page.getByRole('link', { expanded: false }) // ❌
  ```

- `includeHidden: boolean`

  Should elements that are [normally excluded](https://www.w3.org/TR/wai-aria-1.2/#tree_exclusion) from the accessibility tree be queried. By default, only non-hidden elements are matched by role selector.

  Note that roles `none` and `presentation` are always included.

  ```tsx
  <button style="display: none" />

  page.getByRole('button') // ❌
  page.getByRole('button', { includeHidden: false }) // ❌
  page.getByRole('button', { includeHidden: true }) // ✅
  ```

- `level: number`

  A number attribute that is usually present for `heading`, `listitem`, `row`, `treeitem` roles with default values for `<h1>-<h6>` elements. By default, the filter is not applied.

  See [`aria-level`](https://www.w3.org/TR/wai-aria-1.2/#aria-level) for more information

  ```tsx
  <>
    <h1>Heading Level One</h1>
    <div role="heading" aria-level="1">Second Heading Level One</div>
  </>

  page.getByRole('heading', { level: 1 }) // ✅
  page.getByRole('heading', { level: 2 }) // ❌
  ```

- `name: string | RegExp`

  [An accessible name](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/Accessible_name). By default, matching is case-insensitive and searches for a substring. Use `exact` option to control this behavior.

  ```tsx
  <button>Click Me!</button>

  page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Click Me!' }) // ✅
  page.getByRole('button', { name: 'click me!' }) // ✅
  page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Click Me?' }) // ❌
  ```

- `pressed: boolean`

  Should pressed elements be included or not. By default, the filter is not applied.

  See [`aria-pressed`](https://www.w3.org/TR/wai-aria-1.2/#aria-pressed) for more information

  ```tsx
  <button aria-pressed="true">👍</button>

  page.getByRole('button', { pressed: true }) // ✅
  page.getByRole('button', { pressed: false }) // ❌
  ```

- `selected: boolean`

  Should selected elements be included or not. By default, the filter is not applied.

  See [`aria-selected`](https://www.w3.org/TR/wai-aria-1.2/#aria-selected) for more information

  ```tsx
  <button role="tab" aria-selected="true">Vue</button>

  page.getByRole('button', { selected: true }) // ✅
  page.getByRole('button', { selected: false }) // ❌
  ```

**See also**

- [List of ARIA roles at MDN](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Accessibility/ARIA/Roles)
- [List of ARIA roles at w3.org](https://www.w3.org/TR/wai-aria-1.2/#role_definitions)
- [testing-library's `ByRole`](https://testing-library.com/docs/queries/byrole/)

## getByAltText

```ts
function getByAltText(
  text: string | RegExp,
  options?: LocatorOptions,
): Locator
```

Creates a locator capable of finding an element with an `alt` attribute that matches the text. Unlike testing-library's implementation, Vitest will match any element that has a matching `alt` attribute.

```tsx
<img alt="Incredibles 2 Poster" src="/incredibles-2.png" />

page.getByAltText(/incredibles.*? poster/i) // ✅
page.getByAltText('non existing alt text') // ❌
```

**Options**

- `exact: boolean`

  Whether the `text` is matched exactly: case-sensitive and whole-string. Disabled by default. This option is ignored if `text` is a regular expression. Note that exact match still trims whitespace.

**See also**

- [testing-library's `ByAltText`](https://testing-library.com/docs/queries/byalttext/)

## getByLabelText

```ts
function getByLabelText(
  text: string | RegExp,
  options?: LocatorOptions,
): Locator
```

Creates a locator capable of finding an element that has an associated label.

The `page.getByLabelText('Username')` locator will find every input in the example below:

```html
// for/htmlFor relationship between label and form element id
<label for="username-input">Username</label>
<input id="username-input" />

// The aria-labelledby attribute with form elements
<label id="username-label">Username</label>
<input aria-labelledby="username-label" />

// Wrapper labels
<label>Username <input /></label>

// Wrapper labels where the label text is in another child element
<label>
  <span>Username</span>
  <input />
</label>

// aria-label attributes
// Take care because this is not a label that users can see on the page,
// so the purpose of your input must be obvious to visual users.
<input aria-label="Username" />
```

**Options**

- `exact: boolean`

  Whether the `text` is matched exactly: case-sensitive and whole-string. Disabled by default. This option is ignored if `text` is a regular expression. Note that exact match still trims whitespace.

**See also**

- [testing-library's `ByLabelText`](https://testing-library.com/docs/queries/bylabeltext/)

## getByPlaceholder

```ts
function getByPlaceholder(
  text: string | RegExp,
  options?: LocatorOptions,
): Locator
```

Creates a locator capable of finding an element that has the specified `placeholder` attribute. Vitest will match any element that has a matching `placeholder` attribute, not just `input`.

```tsx
<input placeholder="Username" />

page.getByPlaceholder('Username') // ✅
page.getByPlaceholder('not found') // ❌
```

::: warning
It is generally better to rely on a label using [`getByLabelText`](#getbylabeltext) than a placeholder.
:::

**Options**

- `exact: boolean`

  Whether the `text` is matched exactly: case-sensitive and whole-string. Disabled by default. This option is ignored if `text` is a regular expression. Note that exact match still trims whitespace.

**See also**

- [testing-library's `ByPlaceholderText`](https://testing-library.com/docs/queries/byplaceholdertext/)

## getByText

```ts
function getByText(
  text: string | RegExp,
  options?: LocatorOptions,
): Locator
```

Creates a locator capable of finding an element that contains the specified text. The text will be matched against TextNode's [`nodeValue`](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Node/nodeValue) or input's value if the type is `button` or `reset`. Matching by text always normalizes whitespace, even with exact match. For example, it turns multiple spaces into one, turns line breaks into spaces and ignores leading and trailing whitespace.

```tsx
<a href="/about">About ℹ️</a>

page.getByText(/about/i) // ✅
page.getByText('about', { exact: true }) // ❌
```

::: tip
This locator is useful for locating non-interactive elements. If you need to locate an interactive element, like a button or an input, prefer [`getByRole`](#getbyrole).
:::

**Options**

- `exact: boolean`

  Whether the `text` is matched exactly: case-sensitive and whole-string. Disabled by default. This option is ignored if `text` is a regular expression. Note that exact match still trims whitespace.

**See also**

- [testing-library's `ByText`](https://testing-library.com/docs/queries/bytext/)

## getByTitle

```ts
function getByTitle(
  text: string | RegExp,
  options?: LocatorOptions,
): Locator
```

Creates a locator capable of finding an element that has the specified `title` attribute. Unlike testing-library's `getByTitle`, Vitest cannot find `title` elements within an SVG.

```tsx
<span title="Delete" id="2"></span>

page.getByTitle('Delete') // ✅
page.getByTitle('Create') // ❌
```

**Options**

- `exact: boolean`

  Whether the `text` is matched exactly: case-sensitive and whole-string. Disabled by default. This option is ignored if `text` is a regular expression. Note that exact match still trims whitespace.

**See also**

- [testing-library's `ByTitle`](https://testing-library.com/docs/queries/bytitle/)

## getByTestId

```ts
function getByTestId(text: string | RegExp): Locator
```

Creates a locator capable of finding an element that matches the specified test id attribute. You can configure the attribute name with [`browser.locators.testIdAttribute`](/config/browser/locators#testidattribute).

```tsx
<div data-testid="custom-element" />

page.getByTestId('custom-element') // ✅
page.getByTestId('non-existing-element') // ❌
```

::: warning
It is recommended to use this only after the other locators don't work for your use case. Using `data-testid` attributes does not resemble how your software is used and should be avoided if possible.
:::

**Options**

- `exact: boolean`

  Whether the `text` is matched exactly: case-sensitive and whole-string. Disabled by default. This option is ignored if `text` is a regular expression. Note that exact match still trims whitespace.

**See also**

- [testing-library's `ByTestId`](https://testing-library.com/docs/queries/bytestid/)

## nth

```ts
function nth(index: number): Locator
```

This method returns a new locator that matches only a specific index within a multi-element query result. It's zero based, `nth(0)` selects the first element. Unlike `elements()[n]`, the `nth` locator will be retried until the element is present.

```html
<div aria-label="one"><input/><input/><input/></div>
<div aria-label="two"><input/></div>
```

```tsx
page.getByRole('textbox').nth(0) // ✅
page.getByRole('textbox').nth(4) // ❌
```

::: tip
Before resorting to `nth`, you may find it useful to use chained locators to narrow down your search.
Sometimes there is no better way to distinguish than by element position; although this can lead to flake, it's better than nothing.
:::

```tsx
page.getByLabel('two').getByRole('input') // ✅ better alternative to page.getByRole('textbox').nth(3)
page.getByLabel('one').getByRole('input') // ❌ too ambiguous
page.getByLabel('one').getByRole('input').nth(1) // ✅ pragmatic compromise
```

## first

```ts
function first(): Locator
```

This method returns a new locator that matches only the first index of a multi-element query result.
It is sugar for `nth(0)`.

```html
<input/> <input/> <input/>
```

```tsx
page.getByRole('textbox').first() // ✅
```

## last

```ts
function last(): Locator
```

This method returns a new locator that matches only the last index of a multi-element query result.
It is sugar for `nth(-1)`.

```html
<input/> <input/> <input/>
```

```tsx
page.getByRole('textbox').last() // ✅
```

## and

```ts
function and(locator: Locator): Locator
```

This method creates a new locator that matches both the parent and provided locator. The following example finds a button with a specific title:

```ts
page.getByRole('button').and(page.getByTitle('Subscribe'))
```

## or

```ts
function or(locator: Locator): Locator
```

This method creates a new locator that matches either one or both locators.

::: warning
Note that if locator matches more than a single element, calling another method might throw an error if it expects a single element:

```tsx
<>
  <button>Click me</button>
  <a href="https://vitest.dev">Error happened!</a>
</>

page.getByRole('button')
  .or(page.getByRole('link'))
  .click() // ❌ matches multiple elements
```
:::

## filter

```ts
function filter(options: LocatorOptions): Locator
```

This methods narrows down the locator according to the options, such as filtering by text. It can be chained to apply multiple filters.

### has

- **Type:** `Locator`

This options narrows down the selector to match elements that contain other elements matching provided locator. For example, with this HTML:

```html{1,3}
<article>
  <div>Vitest</div>
</article>
<article>
  <div>Rolldown</div>
</article>
```

We can narrow down the locator to only find the `article` with `Vitest` text inside:

```ts
page.getByRole('article').filter({ has: page.getByText('Vitest') }) // ✅
```

::: warning
Provided locator (`page.getByText('Vitest')` in the example) must be relative to the parent locator (`page.getByRole('article')` in the example). It will be queried starting with the parent locator, not the document root.

Meaning, you cannot pass down a locator that queries the element outside of the parent locator:

```ts
page.getByText('Vitest').filter({ has: page.getByRole('article') }) // ❌
```

This example will fail because the `article` element is outside the element with `Vitest` text.
:::

::: tip
This method can be chained to narrow down the element even further:

```ts
page.getByRole('article')
  .filter({ has: page.getByRole('button', { name: 'delete row' }) })
  .filter({ has: page.getByText('Vitest') })
```
:::

### hasNot

- **Type:** `Locator`

This option narrows down the selector to match elements that do not contain other elements matching provided locator. For example, with this HTML:

```html{1,3}
<article>
  <div>Vitest</div>
</article>
<article>
  <div>Rolldown</div>
</article>
```

We can narrow down the locator to only find the `article` that doesn't have `Rolldown` inside.

```ts
page.getByRole('article')
  .filter({ hasNot: page.getByText('Rolldown') }) // ✅
page.getByRole('article')
  .filter({ hasNot: page.getByText('Vitest') }) // ❌
```

::: warning
Note that provided locator is queried against the parent, not the document root, just like [`has`](#has) option.
:::

### hasText

- **Type:** `string | RegExp`

This options narrows down the selector to only match elements that contain provided text somewhere inside. When the `string` is passed, matching is case-insensitive and searches for a substring.

```html{1,3}
<article>
  <div>Vitest</div>
</article>
<article>
  <div>Rolldown</div>
</article>
```

Both locators will find the same element because the search is case-insensitive:

```ts
page.getByRole('article').filter({ hasText: 'Vitest' }) // ✅
page.getByRole('article').filter({ hasText: 'Vite' }) // ✅
```

### hasNotText

- **Type:** `string | RegExp`

This options narrows down the selector to only match elements that do not contain provided text somewhere inside. When the `string` is passed, matching is case-insensitive and searches for a substring.

## Methods

All methods are asynchronous and must be awaited. Since Vitest 3, tests will fail if a method is not awaited.

### click

```ts
function click(options?: UserEventClickOptions): Promise<void>
```

Click on an element. You can use the options to set the cursor position.

```ts
import { page } from 'vitest/browser'

await page.getByRole('img', { name: 'Rose' }).click()
```

- [See more at `userEvent.click`](/api/browser/interactivity#userevent-click)

### dblClick

```ts
function dblClick(options?: UserEventDoubleClickOptions): Promise<void>
```

Triggers a double click event on an element. You can use the options to set the cursor position.

```ts
import { page } from 'vitest/browser'

await page.getByRole('img', { name: 'Rose' }).dblClick()
```

- [See more at `userEvent.dblClick`](/api/browser/interactivity#userevent-dblclick)

### tripleClick

```ts
function tripleClick(options?: UserEventTripleClickOptions): Promise<void>
```

Triggers a triple click event on an element. Since there is no `tripleclick` in browser api, this method will fire three click events in a row.

```ts
import { page } from 'vitest/browser'

await page.getByRole('img', { name: 'Rose' }).tripleClick()
```

- [See more at `userEvent.tripleClick`](/api/browser/interactivity#userevent-tripleclick)

### wheel <Version>4.1.0</Version> {#wheel}

```ts
function wheel(options: UserEventWheelOptions): Promise<void>
```

Triggers a [`wheel` event](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Element/wheel_event) on an element. You can use the options to choose a general scroll `direction` or a precise `delta` value.

```ts
import { page } from 'vitest/browser'

// Scroll right
await page.getByRole('tablist').wheel({ direction: 'right' })
```

- [See more at `userEvent.wheel`](/api/browser/interactivity#userevent-wheel)

### clear

```ts
function clear(options?: UserEventClearOptions): Promise<void>
```

Clears the input element content.

```ts
import { page } from 'vitest/browser'

await page.getByRole('textbox', { name: 'Full Name' }).clear()
```

- [See more at `userEvent.clear`](/api/browser/interactivity#userevent-clear)

### hover

```ts
function hover(options?: UserEventHoverOptions): Promise<void>
```

Moves the cursor position to the selected element.

```ts
import { page } from 'vitest/browser'

await page.getByRole('img', { name: 'Rose' }).hover()
```

- [See more at `userEvent.hover`](/api/browser/interactivity#userevent-hover)

### unhover

```ts
function unhover(options?: UserEventHoverOptions): Promise<void>
```

This works the same as [`locator.hover`](#hover), but moves the cursor to the `document.body` element instead.

```ts
import { page } from 'vitest/browser'

await page.getByRole('img', { name: 'Rose' }).unhover()
```

- [See more at `userEvent.unhover`](/api/browser/interactivity#userevent-unhover)

### fill

```ts
function fill(text: string, options?: UserEventFillOptions): Promise<void>
```

Sets the value of the current `input`, `textarea` or `contenteditable` element.

```ts
import { page } from 'vitest/browser'

await page.getByRole('input', { name: 'Full Name' }).fill('Mr. Bean')
```

- [See more at `userEvent.fill`](/api/browser/interactivity#userevent-fill)

### dropTo

```ts
function dropTo(
  target: Locator,
  options?: UserEventDragAndDropOptions,
): Promise<void>
```

Drags the current element to the target location.

```ts
import { page } from 'vitest/browser'

const paris = page.getByText('Paris')
const france = page.getByText('France')

await paris.dropTo(france)
```

- [See more at `userEvent.dragAndDrop`](/api/browser/interactivity#userevent-draganddrop)

### selectOptions

```ts
function selectOptions(
  values:
    | HTMLElement
    | HTMLElement[]
    | Locator
    | Locator[]
    | string
    | string[],
  options?: UserEventSelectOptions,
): Promise<void>
```

Choose one or more values from a `<select>` element.

```ts
import { page } from 'vitest/browser'

const languages = page.getByRole('select', { name: 'Languages' })

await languages.selectOptions('EN')
await languages.selectOptions(['ES', 'FR'])
await languages.selectOptions([
  languages.getByRole('option', { name: 'Spanish' }),
  languages.getByRole('option', { name: 'French' }),
])
```

- [See more at `userEvent.selectOptions`](/api/browser/interactivity#userevent-selectoptions)

### screenshot

```ts
function screenshot(options: LocatorScreenshotOptions & { save: false }): Promise<string>
function screenshot(options: LocatorScreenshotOptions & { base64: true }): Promise<{
  path: string
  base64: string
}>
function screenshot(options?: LocatorScreenshotOptions & { base64?: false }): Promise<string>
```

Creates a screenshot of the element matching the locator's selector.

You can specify the save location for the screenshot using the `path` option, which is relative to the current test file. If the `path` option is not set, Vitest will default to using [`browser.screenshotDirectory`](/config/browser/screenshotdirectory) (`__screenshot__` by default), along with the names of the file and the test to determine the screenshot's filepath.

If you also need the content of the screenshot, you can specify `base64: true` to return it alongside the filepath where the screenshot is saved.

```ts
import { page } from 'vitest/browser'

const button = page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Click Me!' })

const path = await button.screenshot()

const { path, base64 } = await button.screenshot({
  path: './button-click-me.png',
  base64: true, // also return base64 string
})
// path - fullpath to the screenshot
// bas64 - base64 encoded string of the screenshot
```

::: warning WARNING <Version>3.2.0</Version>
Note that `screenshot` will always return a base64 string if `save` is set to `false`.
The `path` is also ignored in that case.
:::

### mark

```ts
function mark(name: string, options?: { stack?: string; kind?: BrowserTraceEntryKind }): Promise<void>
```

Adds a named marker to the trace timeline and uses the current locator as marker context.

Pass `options.stack` to override the callsite location in trace metadata. This is useful for wrapper libraries that need to preserve the end-user source location.

Pass `options.kind` to categorize your marker as specific type, for example as `'action'`.

```ts
import { page } from 'vitest/browser'

const submitButton = page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Submit' })

await submitButton.mark('before submit')
await submitButton.click()
await submitButton.mark('after submit')
```

::: tip
This method is useful only when [`browser.trace`](/config/browser/trace) is enabled.
:::

### query

```ts
function query(): Element | null
```

This method returns a single element matching the locator's selector or `null` if no element is found.

If multiple elements match the selector, this method will throw an error.  Use [`.elements()`](#elements) when you need all matching DOM Elements or [`.all()`](#all) if you need an array of locators matching the selector.

::: danger
This is an escape hatch for external APIs that do not support locators. Prefer using locator methods instead.
:::

Consider the following DOM structure:

```html
<div>Hello <span>World</span></div>
<div>Hello</div>
```

These locators will not throw an error:

```ts
page.getByText('Hello World').query() // ✅ HTMLDivElement
page.getByText('Hello Germany').query() // ✅ null
page.getByText('World').query() // ✅ HTMLSpanElement
page.getByText('Hello', { exact: true }).query() // ✅ HTMLSpanElement
```

These locators will throw an error:

```ts
// returns multiple elements
page.getByText('Hello').query() // ❌
page.getByText(/^Hello/).query() // ❌
```

### element

```ts
function element(): Element
```

This method returns a single element matching the locator's selector.

If _no element_ matches the selector, an error is thrown. Consider using [`.query()`](#query) when you just need to check if the element exists.

If _multiple elements_ match the selector, an error is thrown. Use [`.elements()`](#elements) when you need all matching DOM Elements or [`.all()`](#all) if you need an array of locators matching the selector.

::: danger
This is an escape hatch for external APIs that do not support locators. Prefer using locator methods instead.

It is called automatically when locator is used with `expect.element` every time the assertion is [retried](/api/browser/assertions):

```ts
await expect.element(page.getByRole('button')).toBeDisabled()
```
:::

Consider the following DOM structure:

```html
<div>Hello <span>World</span></div>
<div>Hello Germany</div>
<div>Hello</div>
```

These locators will not throw an error:

```ts
page.getByText('Hello World').element() // ✅
page.getByText('Hello Germany').element() // ✅
page.getByText('World').element() // ✅
page.getByText('Hello', { exact: true }).element() // ✅
```

These locators will throw an error:

```ts
// returns multiple elements
page.getByText('Hello').element() // ❌
page.getByText(/^Hello/).element() // ❌

// returns no elements
page.getByText('Hello USA').element() // ❌
```

### elements

```ts
function elements(): Element[]
```

This method returns an array of elements matching the locator's selector.

This function never throws an error. If there are no elements matching the selector, this method will return an empty array.

Consider the following DOM structure:

```html
<div>Hello <span>World</span></div>
<div>Hello</div>
```

These locators will always succeed:

```ts
page.getByText('Hello World').elements() // ✅ [HTMLElement]
page.getByText('World').elements() // ✅ [HTMLElement]
page.getByText('Hello', { exact: true }).elements() // ✅ [HTMLElement]
page.getByText('Hello').elements() // ✅ [HTMLElement, HTMLElement]
page.getByText('Hello USA').elements() // ✅ []
```

### findElement <Version>4.1.0</Version> {#findelement}

```ts
function findElement(
  options?: SelectorOptions
): Promise<HTMLElement | SVGElement>
```

::: danger WARNING
This is an escape hatch for cases where you need the raw DOM element — for example, to pass it to a third-party library like FormKit that doesn't accept Vitest locators. If you are interacting with the element yourself, use other [builtin methods](#methods) instead.
:::

This method returns an element matching the locator. Unlike [`.element()`](#element), this method will wait and retry until a matching element appears in the DOM, using increasing intervals (0, 20, 50, 100, 100, 500ms).

If _no element_ is found before the timeout, an error is thrown. By default, the timeout matches the test timeout.

If _multiple elements_ match the selector and `strict` is `true` (the default), an error is thrown immediately without retrying. Set `strict` to `false` to return the first matching element instead.

It accepts options:

- `timeout: number` - How long to wait in milliseconds until at least one element is found. By default, this shares timeout with the test.
- `strict: boolean` - When `true` (default), throws an error if multiple elements match the locator. When `false`, returns the first matching element.

Consider the following DOM structure:

```html
<div>Hello <span>World</span></div>
<div>Hello Germany</div>
<div>Hello</div>
```

These locators will resolve successfully:

```ts
await page.getByText('Hello World').findElement() // ✅ HTMLDivElement
await page.getByText('World').findElement() // ✅ HTMLSpanElement
await page.getByText('Hello Germany').findElement() // ✅ HTMLDivElement
```

These locators will throw an error:

```ts
// multiple elements match, strict mode rejects
await page.getByText('Hello').findElement() // ❌
await page.getByText(/^Hello/).findElement() // ❌

// no matching element before timeout
await page.getByText('Hello USA').findElement() // ❌
```

Using `strict: false` to allow multiple matches:

```ts
// returns the first matching element instead of throwing
await page.getByText('Hello').findElement({ strict: false }) // ✅ HTMLDivElement
```

### all

```ts
function all(): Locator[]
```

This method returns an array of new locators that match the selector.

Internally, this method calls `.elements` and wraps every element using [`page.elementLocator`](/api/browser/context#page).

- [See `locator.elements()`](#elements)

### serialize

```ts
function serialize(): SerializedLocator
```

Returns a JSON-serializable representation of the locator. The returned object has two fields:

- [`selector`](#selector): the provider-specific selector string used to query the element at runtime.
- `locator`: a human-readable description of the locator (e.g. `getByRole('button')`), used for error messages and tracing. Equivalent to calling [`asLocator()`](#aslocator).

This is primarily intended for forwarding a locator to a [browser command](/api/browser/commands), which runs in Node and cannot receive a live `Locator` instance:

```ts
import { commands, page } from 'vitest/browser'

await commands.myCommand(page.getByRole('button').serialize())
```

::: tip
Vitest automatically serializes any `Locator` argument passed to a command, so calling `serialize()` explicitly is rarely necessary. You can also use `JSON.stringify(locator)` (it calls [`toJSON`](#tojson) internally), which produces the same result.
:::

### toJSON

```ts
function toJSON(): SerializedLocator
```

Alias of [`serialize`](#serialize). Defined so that `JSON.stringify(locator)` and structured-clone-based transports return a `SerializedLocator` object.

### asLocator

```ts
function asLocator(): string
```

Returns a human-readable description of the locator using the JavaScript locator syntax (e.g. `getByRole('button', { name: 'Submit' })`). This is the same string exposed as the `locator` field of [`serialize()`](#serialize) and is used in error messages and traces.

```ts
import { page } from 'vitest/browser'

const button = page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Submit' })
button.asLocator() // "getByRole('button', { name: 'Submit' })"
```

::: tip
Use [`selector`](#selector) when you need the provider-specific string to forward to a [browser command](/api/browser/commands). Use `asLocator()` only for diagnostic output. The returned string is not meant to be re-used to query elements.
:::

## Properties

### selector

The `selector` is a string that will be used to locate the element by the browser provider. Playwright will use a `playwright` locator syntax, and `preview` and `webdriverio` will use CSS.

::: danger
You should not use this string in your test code. The `selector` string should only be used when working with the Commands API:

```ts [commands.ts]
import type { BrowserCommand } from 'vitest/node'
import type { SerializedLocator } from '@vitest/browser'

const test: BrowserCommand<SerializedLocator> = function test(context, { selector }) {
  // playwright
  await context.iframe.locator(selector).click()
  // webdriverio
  await context.browser.$(selector).click()
}
```

```ts [example.test.ts]
import { test } from 'vitest'
import { commands, page } from 'vitest/browser'

test('works correctly', async () => {
  await commands.test(page.getByText('Hello').serialize()) // ✅
  // vitest will automatically unwrap it to a SerializedLocator
  await commands.test(page.getByText('Hello')) // ✅
})
```
:::

### length

This getter returns a number of elements that this locator is matching. It is equivalent to calling `locator.elements().length`.

Consider the following DOM structure:

```html
<button>Click Me!</button>
<button>Don't click me!</button>
```

This property will always succeed:

```ts
page.getByRole('button').length // ✅ 2
page.getByRole('button', { title: 'Click Me!' }).length // ✅ 1
page.getByRole('alert').length // ✅ 0
```

## Custom Locators <Version>3.2.0</Version> <Badge type="danger">advanced</Badge> {#custom-locators}

You can extend built-in locators API by defining an object of locator factories. These methods will exist as methods on the `page` object and any created locator.

These locators can be useful if built-in locators are not enough. For example, when you use a custom framework for your UI.

The locator factory needs to return a selector string or a locator itself.

::: tip
The selector syntax is identical to Playwright locators. Please, read [their guide](https://playwright.dev/docs/other-locators) to better understand how to work with them.
:::

```ts
import { locators } from 'vitest/browser'

locators.extend({
  getByArticleTitle(title) {
    return `[data-title="${title}"]`
  },
  getByArticleCommentsCount(count) {
    return `.comments :text("${count} comments")`
  },
  async previewComments() {
    // you have access to the current locator via "this"
    // beware that if the method was called on `page`, `this` will be `page`,
    // not the locator!
    if (this !== page) {
      await this.click()
    }
    // ...
  }
})

// if you are using typescript, you can extend LocatorSelectors interface
// to have the autocompletion in locators.extend, page.* and locator.* methods
declare module 'vitest/browser' {
  interface LocatorSelectors {
    // if the custom method returns a string, it will be converted into a locator
    // if it returns anything else, then it will be returned as usual
    getByArticleTitle(title: string): Locator
    getByArticleCommentsCount(count: number): Locator

    // Vitest will return a promise and won't try to convert it into a locator
    previewComments(this: Locator): Promise<void>
  }
}
```

If the method is called on the global `page` object, then selector will be applied to the whole page. In the example below, `getByArticleTitle` will find all elements with an attribute `data-title` with the value of `title`. However, if the method is called on the locator, then it will be scoped to that locator.

```html
<article data-title="Hello, World!">
  Hello, World!
  <button id="comments">2 comments</button>
</article>

<article data-title="Hello, Vitest!">
  Hello, Vitest!
  <button id="comments">0 comments</button>
</article>
```

```ts
const articles = page.getByRole('article')
const worldArticle = page.getByArticleTitle('Hello, World!') // ✅
const commentsElement = worldArticle.getByArticleCommentsCount(2) // ✅
const wrongCommentsElement = worldArticle.getByArticleCommentsCount(0) // ❌
const wrongElement = page.getByArticleTitle('No Article!') // ❌

await commentsElement.previewComments() // ✅
await wrongCommentsElement.previewComments() // ❌
```
