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.

Attribute Value Description DTD
accept audio/*
video/*
image/*
MIME_type
Specifies the types of files that the server accepts (only for type="file") STF
align left
right
top
middle
bottom
Deprecated. Use styles instead.
Specifies the alignment of an image input (only for type="image")
TF
alt text Specifies an alternate text for an image (only for type="image") STF
checked checked  Specifies that an <input> element should be preselected when the page loads (for type="checkbox" or type="radio") STF
disabled disabled Specifies that an <input> element should be disabled STF
maxlength number Specifies the maximum number of characters allowed in an <input> element STF
name name Specifies the name of an <input> element STF
readonly readonly Specifies that an input field should be read-only STF
size number Specifies the width, in characters, of an <input> element STF
src URL Specifies the URL of the image to use as a submit button (only for type="image") STF
type button
checkbox
file
hidden
image
password
radio
reset
submit
text
Specifies the type of <input> element STF
value text Specifies the value of an <input> element STF

5. Standard Attributes

The <input> tag supports the following standard attributes:

Attribute Value Description DTD
accesskey character Specifies a keyboard shortcut to access an element STF
class classname Specifies a classname for an element STF
dir rtl
ltr
Specifies the text direction for the content in an element STF
id id Specifies a unique id for an element STF
lang language_code Specifies a language code for the content in an element STF
style style_definition Specifies an inline style for an element STF
tabindex number Specifies the tab order of an element STF
title text Specifies extra information about an element STF
xml:lang language_code Specifies a language code for the content in an element, in XHTML documents STF

6. Event Attributes

The <input> tag supports the following event attributes:

Attribute Value Description DTD
onblur script Script to be run when an element loses focus STF
onchange script Script to be run when an element change STF
onclick script Script to be run on a mouse click STF
ondblclick script Script to be run on a mouse double-click STF
onfocus script Script to be run when an element gets focus STF
onmousedown script Script to be run when mouse button is pressed STF
onmousemove script Script to be run when mouse pointer moves STF
onmouseout script Script to be run when mouse pointer moves out of an element STF
onmouseover script Script to be run when mouse pointer moves over an element STF
onmouseup script Script to be run when mouse button is released STF
onkeydown script Script to be run when a key is pressed STF
onkeypress script Script to be run when a key is pressed and released STF
onkeyup script Script to be run when a key is released STF
onselect script Script to be run when an element is selected STF

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