HTML Input Attributes
This chapter describes the different attributes for the HTML `<input>` element.
This chapter describes the different attributes for the HTML <input> element.
The value Attribute
The input value attribute specifies an initial value for an input field:
Example
Example Code
htmlThe readonly Attribute
The input readonly attribute specifies that an input field is read-only.
A read-only input field cannot be modified (however, a user can tab to it, highlight it, and copy the text from it).
The value of a read-only input field will be sent when submitting the form!
Example
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htmlThe disabled Attribute
The input disabled attribute specifies that an input field should be disabled.
A disabled input field is unusable and un-clickable.
The value of a disabled input field will not be sent when submitting the form!
Example
Example Code
htmlThe size Attribute
The input size attribute specifies the
visible width, in characters, of an input field.
The default value for size is 20.
Note: The size attribute
works with the following input types: text, search, tel, url, email, and
password.
Example
Example Code
htmlThe maxlength Attribute
The input maxlength attribute specifies the maximum number of characters allowed in an input field.
Note: When a maxlength is set, the input field will not accept more than the
specified number of characters. However, this attribute does not provide any feedback.
So, if you want to alert the user,
you must write JavaScript code.
Example
Example Code
htmlThe min and max Attributes
The input min and max attributes specify the minimum and maximum values for an
input field.
The min and max attributes work with the following input types: number, range, date, datetime-local, month, time and week.
Tip: Use the max and min attributes together to create a range of legal values.
Example
Example Code
htmlThe multiple Attribute
The input multiple attribute specifies that the user is allowed to enter more than one value in
an input field.
The multiple attribute works with the following input types: email, and file.
Example
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htmlThe pattern Attribute
The input pattern attribute specifies a regular expression that the
input field's value is checked against, when the form is submitted.
The pattern attribute works with the following input types: text,
date, search, url, tel, email, and password.
Tip: Use the global title attribute to describe the pattern to help the user.
Tip: Learn more about regular expressions in our JavaScript tutorial.
Example
Example Code
htmlThe placeholder Attribute
The input placeholder attribute specifies
a short hint that describes the expected value of an input field (a sample value or a short description of the
expected format).
The short hint is displayed in the input field before the user enters a value.
The placeholder attribute works with the following input types: text, search, url,
number, tel, email, and password.
Example
Example Code
htmlThe required Attribute
The input required attribute specifies that an input field must be filled out before submitting the form.
The required attribute works with the following input types: text, search, url, tel, email, password, date pickers, number, checkbox, radio, and file.
Example
Example Code
htmlThe step Attribute
The input step attribute specifies the legal number intervals for an
input field.
Example: if step="3", legal numbers could be -3, 0, 3, 6, etc.
Tip: This attribute can be used together with the max and min attributes to create a range of legal values.
The step attribute works with the following input types: number, range, date, datetime-local, month, time and week.
Example
Example Code
htmlNote: Input restrictions are not foolproof, and JavaScript provides many ways to add illegal input. To safely restrict input, it must also be checked by the receiver (the server)!
The autofocus Attribute
The input autofocus attribute specifies that
an input field should automatically get focus when the page loads.
Example
Example Code
htmlThe height and width Attributes
The input height and width attributes specify the height and width of an <input
type="image"> element.
Tip: Always specify both the height and width attributes for images. If height and width are set, the space required for the image is reserved when the page is loaded. Without these attributes, the browser does not know the size of the image, and cannot reserve the appropriate space to it. The effect will be that the page layout will change during loading (while the images load).
Example
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htmlThe list Attribute
The input list attribute refers to a <datalist> element that contains pre-defined options for an <input> element.
Example
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htmlThe autocomplete Attribute
The input autocomplete attribute specifies whether a form or
an input field should have autocomplete on or off.
Autocomplete allows the browser to predict the value. When a user starts to type in a field, the browser should display options to fill in the field, based on earlier typed values.
The autocomplete attribute works with <form> and the
following <input> types: text, search, url, tel, email, password, datepickers, range, and color.
Example
Example Code
htmlTip: In some browsers you may need to activate an autocomplete function for this to work (Look under "Preferences" in the browser's menu).
HTML Form and Input Elements
For a complete list of all available HTML tags, visit our HTML Tag Reference.