Tag <input> HTML Reference



Example

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

<form action="form_action.php" method="get">
  First name: <input type="text" name="fname" /><br />
  Second name: <input type="text" name="lname" /><br />
  <input type="submit" value="Submit" />
</form>

Browser Support

Internet Explorer Firefox Opera Google Chrome Safari

1. Definition and Usage

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

<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.


2. Tips and Notes

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


3. 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 />.


4. Optional Attributes

DTD indicates in which HTML 4.01/XHTML 1.0 DTD the attribute is allowed. S=Strict, T=Transitional, and F=Frameset.

AttributeValueDescriptionDTD
acceptaudio/*
video/*
image/*
MIME_type
Specifies the types of files that the server accepts (only for type="file")STF
alignleft
right
top
middle
bottom
Deprecated. Use styles instead.
Specifies the alignment of an image input (only for type="image")
TF
alttextSpecifies an alternate text for an image (only for type="image")STF
checkedchecked Specifies that an <input> element should be preselected when the page loads (for type="checkbox" or type="radio")STF
disableddisabledSpecifies that an <input> element should be disabledSTF
maxlengthnumberSpecifies the maximum number of characters allowed in an <input> elementSTF
namenameSpecifies the name of an <input> elementSTF
readonlyreadonlySpecifies that an input field should be read-onlySTF
sizenumberSpecifies the width, in characters, of an <input> elementSTF
srcURLSpecifies the URL of the image to use as a submit button (only for type="image")STF
typebutton
checkbox
file
hidden
image
password
radio
reset
submit
text
Specifies the type of <input> elementSTF
valuetextSpecifies the value of an <input> elementSTF

5. Standard Attributes

The <input> tag supports the following standard attributes:

AttributeValueDescriptionDTD
accesskeycharacterSpecifies a keyboard shortcut to access an elementSTF
classclassnameSpecifies a classname for an elementSTF
dirrtl
ltr
Specifies the text direction for the content in an elementSTF
ididSpecifies a unique id for an elementSTF
langlanguage_codeSpecifies a language code for the content in an elementSTF
stylestyle_definitionSpecifies an inline style for an elementSTF
tabindexnumberSpecifies the tab order of an elementSTF
titletextSpecifies extra information about an elementSTF
xml:langlanguage_codeSpecifies a language code for the content in an element, in XHTML documentsSTF

6. Event Attributes

The <input> tag supports the following event attributes:

AttributeValueDescriptionDTD
onblurscriptScript to be run when an element loses focusSTF
onchangescriptScript to be run when an element changeSTF
onclickscriptScript to be run on a mouse clickSTF
ondblclickscriptScript to be run on a mouse double-clickSTF
onfocusscriptScript to be run when an element gets focusSTF
onmousedownscriptScript to be run when mouse button is pressedSTF
onmousemovescriptScript to be run when mouse pointer movesSTF
onmouseoutscriptScript to be run when mouse pointer moves out of an elementSTF
onmouseoverscriptScript to be run when mouse pointer moves over an elementSTF
onmouseupscriptScript to be run when mouse button is releasedSTF
onkeydownscriptScript to be run when a key is pressedSTF
onkeypressscriptScript to be run when a key is pressed and releasedSTF
onkeyupscriptScript to be run when a key is releasedSTF
onselectscriptScript to be run when an element is selectedSTF

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