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<h1> - <h6>
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HTML <input> tag


Example

A simple HTML form with two input fields and one submit button:

<form action="form_action.asp" method="get">
  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!  (more examples at the bottom of this page)


Definition and Usage

The <input> tag is used to select user information.

An input field can vary in many ways, depending on the type attribute. An input field can be a text field, a checkbox, a password field, a radio button, a button, and more.


Browser Support

Internet Explorer Firefox Opera Google Chrome Safari

The <input> tag is supported in all major browsers.


Differences Between HTML and XHTML

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

In XHTML the <input> tag must be properly closed.


Tips and Notes

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


Optional Attributes

DTD indicates in which DTD the attribute is allowed. S=Strict, T=Transitional, and F=Frameset.

Attribute Value Description DTD
accept list_of_mime_types A comma-separated list of MIME types that indicates the MIME type of the file transfer.

Note: Only used with type="file"

STF
align top
texttop
middle
absmiddle
baseline
bottom
absbottom
Deprecated. Use styles instead.
Defines the alignment of text following the image.

Note: Only used with type="image"

TF
alt text Defines an alternate text for the image.

Note: Only used with type="image"

STF
checked checked  Indicates that the input element should be checked when it first loads.

Note: Used with type="checkbox" and type="radio"

STF
disabled disabled Disables the input element when it first loads so that the user can not write text in it, or select it.

Note: Cannot be used with type="hidden"

STF
maxlength number Defines the maximum number of characters allowed in an input field.

Note: Only used with type="text" or type="password"

STF
name field_name Defines a unique name for the input element.

Note: This attribute is required with type="button", type="checkbox", type="file", type="hidden", type="image", type="password", type="text", and type="radio"

STF
readonly readonly Indicates that the value of this field cannot be modified.

Note: Only used with type="text" or type="password"

STF
size number_of_char Defines the size of the input element.

Note: Cannot be used with type="hidden"

STF
src URL Defines the URL of the image to display.

Note: Only used with type="image"

STF
type button
checkbox
file
hidden
image
password
radio
reset
submit
text

Indicates the type of the input element. The default value is "text"

Note: This is not a required attribute, but we think you should include it. If omitted, IE 5.5 will still display a text field, but Netscape 4.7 will not.

STF
value value For buttons, reset buttons and submit buttons: Defines the text on the button.

For image buttons: Defines the symbolic result of the field passed to a script.

For checkboxes and radio buttons: Defines the result of the input element when clicked. The result is sent to the form's action URL.

For hidden, password, and text fields: Defines the default value of the element.

Note: Cannot be used with type="file"

Note: This attribute is required with type="checkbox" and type="radio"

STF

Standard Attributes

id, class, title, style, dir, lang, xml:lang

For a full description, go to Standard Attributes.

Event Attributes

tabindex, accesskey, onfocus, onblur, onselect, onchange, onclick, ondblclick, onmousedown, onmouseup, onmouseover, onmousemove, onmouseout, onkeypress, onkeydown, onkeyup

For a full description, go to Event Attributes.


Try-It-Yourself Demos

Password fields
How to create a password field on an HTML page.

Create a button
How to create a button. On the button you can define your own text.

Form with checkboxes
This form contains two checkboxes, and a submit button.

Form with radiobuttons
This form contains two radio buttons, and a submit button.



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