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HTML <input> Tag


Example

An HTML form with three input fields; two text fields and one submit button:

<form action="/action_page.php">
  First name: <input type="text" name="fname"><br>
  Last name: <input type="text" name="lname"><br>
  <input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>
Try it Yourself »

Definition and Usage

The <input> tag specifies an input field where the user can enter data.

<input> elements are used within a <form> element to declare input controls that allow users to input data.

An input field can vary in many ways, depending on the type attribute.


Browser Support

Element
<input> Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Tips and Notes

Note: The <input> element is empty, it contains attributes only.

Tip: Use the <label> element to define labels for <input> elements.


Differences Between HTML 4.01 and HTML5

The "align" attribute is not supported in HTML5.

In HTML5, the <input> tag has several new attributes, and the type attribute has several new values.



Differences Between HTML and XHTML

In HTML, the <input> tag has no end tag.

In XHTML, the <input> tag must be properly closed, like this <input />.


Attributes

Attribute Value Description
accept file_extension
audio/*
video/*
image/*
media_type
Specifies a filter for what file types the user can pick from the file input dialog box (only for type="file")
align left
right
top
middle
bottom
Not supported in HTML5.
Specifies the alignment of an image input (only for type="image")
alt text Specifies an alternate text for images (only for type="image")
autocomplete on
off
Specifies whether an <input> element should have autocomplete enabled
autofocus autofocus Specifies that an <input> element should automatically get focus when the page loads
checked checked Specifies that an <input> element should be pre-selected when the page loads (for type="checkbox" or type="radio")
dirname inputname.dir Specifies that the text direction will be submitted
disabled disabled Specifies that an <input> element should be disabled
form form_id Specifies the form the <input> element belongs to
formaction URL Specifies the URL of the file that will process the input control when the form is submitted (for type="submit" and type="image")
formenctype application/x-www-form-urlencoded
multipart/form-data
text/plain
Specifies how the form-data should be encoded when submitting it to the server (for type="submit" and type="image")
formmethod get
post
Defines the HTTP method for sending data to the action URL (for type="submit" and type="image")
formnovalidate formnovalidate Defines that form elements should not be validated when submitted
formtarget _blank
_self
_parent
_top
framename
Specifies where to display the response that is received after submitting the form (for type="submit" and type="image")
height pixels Specifies the height of an <input> element (only for type="image")
list datalist_id Refers to a <datalist> element that contains pre-defined options for an <input> element
max number
date
Specifies the maximum value for an <input> element
maxlength number Specifies the maximum number of characters allowed in an <input> element
min number
date
Specifies a minimum value for an <input> element
multiple multiple Specifies that a user can enter more than one value in an <input> element
name text Specifies the name of an <input> element
pattern regexp Specifies a regular expression that an <input> element's value is checked against
placeholder text Specifies a short hint that describes the expected value of an <input> element
readonly readonly Specifies that an input field is read-only
required required Specifies that an input field must be filled out before submitting the form
size number Specifies the width, in characters, of an <input> element
src URL Specifies the URL of the image to use as a submit button (only for type="image")
step number
any
Specifies the interval between legal numbers in an input field
type button
checkbox
color
date
datetime-local
email
file
hidden
image
month
number
password
radio
range
reset
search
submit
tel
text
time
url
week
Specifies the type <input> element to display
value text Specifies the value of an <input> element
 
width pixels Specifies the width of an <input> element (only for type="image")

Global Attributes

The <input> tag also supports the Global Attributes in HTML.


Event Attributes

The <input> tag also supports the Event Attributes in HTML.


Related Pages

HTML tutorial: HTML Forms

HTML DOM reference:


Default CSS Settings

None.