<html> <head> <script type="text/javascript" src="js/jquery-1.3.2.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function(){ $("input:not(:checked) + span").css("background-color", "yellow"); }); </script> </head> <body> <body> <div> <input type="checkbox" name="a" /> <span>A</span> </div> <div> <input type="checkbox" name="b" /> <span>B</span> </div> <div> <input type="checkbox" name="c" checked="checked" /> <span>C</span> </div> </body> </html>