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

= New in HTML5.
Attribute Value Description

accept file_extension

audio/*

video/*

image/*

media_type Specifies the types of files that the server accepts (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 one or more forms 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 Specifies the legal number intervals for 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.

HTML tutorial: HTML Forms

HTML DOM reference:

Input Button Object

Input Checkbox Object

Input Color Object

Input Date Object

Input Datetime Object

Input DatetimeLocal Object

Input Email Object

Input FileUpload Object

Input Hidden Object

Input Image Object

Input Month Object

Input Number Object

Input Password Object

Input Range Object

Input Radio Object

Input Reset Object

Input Search Object

Input Submit Object

Input Text Object

Input Time Object

Input URL Object

Input Week Object

Default CSS Settings

None.