HTML Forms

An HTML form is used to collect user input. The user input is most often sent
to a server for processing.

Example
First name:

Last name:

The <form> Element

The HTML <form> element is used to create an HTML form for user input:

<form>
.
form elements
.
</form>

The <form> element is a container for different types of input elements, such as:
text fields, checkboxes, radio buttons, submit buttons, etc.

All the different form elements are covered in this chapter: HTML Form
Elements.

The <input> Element

The HTML <input> element is the most used form element.
An <input> element can be displayed in many ways, depending on
the type attribute.

Here are some examples:

Type Description

• <input type="text"> Displays a single-line text input field

• <input type="radio"> Displays a radio button (for selecting one
of many choices)
• <input type="checkbox"> Displays a checkbox (for selecting zero or
more of many choices)
• <input type="submit"> Displays a submit button (for submitting
the form)
• <input type="button"> Displays a clickable button

All the different input types are covered in this chapter: HTML Input Types.

Text Fields
The <input type="text"> defines a single-line input field for text input.

Example
A form with input fields for text:

<form>
<label for="fname">First name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname"><br>
<label for="lname">Last name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="lname" name="lname">
</form>

This is how the HTML code above will be displayed in a browser:

First name:

Last name:

Note: The form itself is not visible. Also note that the default width of an input
field is 20 characters.

The <label> Element

Notice the use of the <label> element in the example above.

The <label> tag defines a label for many form elements.

The <label> element is useful for screen-reader users, because the screen-
reader will read out loud the label when the user focuses on the input element.

The <label> element also helps users who have difficulty clicking on very small
regions (such as radio buttons or checkboxes) - because when the user clicks
the text within the <label> element, it toggles the radio button/checkbox.

The for attribute of the <label> tag should be equal to the id attribute of
the <input> element to bind them together.

Radio Buttons
The <input type="radio"> defines a radio button.

Radio buttons let a user select ONE of a limited number of choices.

Example
A form with radio buttons:

<p>Choose your favorite Web language:</p>

<form>
<input type="radio" id="html" name="fav_language" value="HTML">
<label for="html">HTML</label><br>
 <input type="radio" id="css" name="fav_language" value="CSS">
<label for="css">CSS</label><br>
<input type="radio" id="javascript" name="fav_language" value="JavaScrip
t">
<label for="javascript">JavaScript</label>
</form>

This is how the HTML code above will be displayed in a browser:

Choose your favorite Web language:

HTML
CSS
JavaScript

Checkboxes
The <input type="checkbox"> defines a checkbox.

Checkboxes let a user select ZERO or MORE options of a limited number of

choices.

Example
A form with checkboxes:

<form>
<input type="checkbox" id="vehicle1" name="vehicle1" value="Bike">
<label for="vehicle1"> I have a bike</label><br>
<input type="checkbox" id="vehicle2" name="vehicle2" value="Car">
<label for="vehicle2"> I have a car</label><br>
<input type="checkbox" id="vehicle3" name="vehicle3" value="Boat">
<label for="vehicle3"> I have a boat</label>
</form>

This is how the HTML code above will be displayed in a browser:

I have a bike
I have a car
I have a boat
The Submit Button
The <input type="submit"> defines a button for submitting the form data to a
form-handler.

The form-handler is typically a file on the server with a script for processing
input data.

The form-handler is specified in the form's action attribute.

Example
A form with a submit button:

<form action="/action_page.php">
<label for="fname">First name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname" value="John"><br>
<label for="lname">Last name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="lname" name="lname" value="Doe"><br><br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>

This is how the HTML code above will be displayed in a browser:

First name:

Last name:

The Name Attribute for <input>

Notice that each input field must have a name attribute to be submitted.

If the name attribute is omitted, the value of the input field will not be sent at all.

Example
This example will not submit the value of the "First name" input field:
<form action="/action_page.php">
<label for="fname">First name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="fname" value="John"><br><br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>

HTML Form Attributes

This chapter describes the different attributes for the HTML <form> element.

The Action Attribute

The action attribute defines the action to be performed when the form is
submitted.

Usually, the form data is sent to a file on the server when the user clicks on the
submit button.

In the example below, the form data is sent to a file called "action_page.php".
This file contains a server-side script that handles the form data:

Example
On submit, send form data to "action_page.php":

<form action="/action_page.php">
<label for="fname">First name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname" value="John"><br>
<label for="lname">Last name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="lname" name="lname" value="Doe"><br><br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>

Tip: If the action attribute is omitted, the action is set to the current page.

The Target Attribute

The target attribute specifies where to display the response that is received after
submitting the form.

The target attribute can have one of the following values:

Value Description

_blank The response is displayed in a new window or tab

_self The response is displayed in the current window

_parent The response is displayed in the parent frame

_top The response is displayed in the full body of the window

framename The response is displayed in a named iframe

The default value is _self which means that the response will open in the
current window.

Example
Here, the submitted result will open in a new browser tab:

<form action="/action_page.php" target="_blank">

The Method Attribute

The method attribute specifies the HTTP method to be used when submitting the
form data.

The form-data can be sent as URL variables (with method="get") or as HTTP post
transaction (with method="post").

The default HTTP method when submitting form data is GET.

Example
This example uses the GET method when submitting the form data:

<form action="/action_page.php" method="get">

Example
This example uses the POST method when submitting the form data:

<form action="/action_page.php" method="post">

Notes on GET:

• Appends the form data to the URL, in name/value pairs

• NEVER use GET to send sensitive data! (the submitted form data is visible
in the URL!)
• The length of a URL is limited (2048 characters)
• Useful for form submissions where a user wants to bookmark the result
• GET is good for non-secure data, like query strings in Google

Notes on POST:

• Appends the form data inside the body of the HTTP request (the
submitted form data is not shown in the URL)
• POST has no size limitations, and can be used to send large amounts of
data.
• Form submissions with POST cannot be bookmarked

Tip: Always use POST if the form data contains sensitive or personal
information!
The Autocomplete Attribute
The autocomplete attribute specifies whether a form should have autocomplete on
or off.

When autocomplete is on, the browser automatically complete values based on

values that the user has entered before.

Example
A form with autocomplete on:

<form action="/action_page.php" autocomplete="on">

The Novalidate Attribute

The novalidate attribute is a boolean attribute.

When present, it specifies that the form-data (input) should not be validated
when submitted.

Example
A form with a novalidate attribute:

<form action="/action_page.php" novalidate>

HTML Form Attributes

This chapter describes the different attributes for the HTML <form> element.
The Action Attribute
The action attribute defines the action to be performed when the form is
submitted.

Usually, the form data is sent to a file on the server when the user clicks on the
submit button.

In the example below, the form data is sent to a file called "action_page.php".
This file contains a server-side script that handles the form data:

Example
On submit, send form data to "action_page.php":

<form action="/action_page.php">
<label for="fname">First name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname" value="John"><br>
<label for="lname">Last name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="lname" name="lname" value="Doe"><br><br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>

Tip: If the action attribute is omitted, the action is set to the current page.

The Target Attribute

The target attribute specifies where to display the response that is received after
submitting the form.

The target attribute can have one of the following values:

Value Description

_blank The response is displayed in a new window or tab

 _self The response is displayed in the current window

_parent The response is displayed in the parent frame

_top The response is displayed in the full body of the window

framename The response is displayed in a named iframe

The default value is _self which means that the response will open in the
current window.

Example
Here, the submitted result will open in a new browser tab:

<form action="/action_page.php" target="_blank">

The Method Attribute

The method attribute specifies the HTTP method to be used when submitting the
form data.

The form-data can be sent as URL variables (with method="get") or as HTTP post
transaction (with method="post").

The default HTTP method when submitting form data is GET.

Example
This example uses the GET method when submitting the form data:

<form action="/action_page.php" method="get">

Example
This example uses the POST method when submitting the form data:

<form action="/action_page.php" method="post">

Notes on GET:

• Appends the form data to the URL, in name/value pairs

• NEVER use GET to send sensitive data! (the submitted form data is visible
in the URL!)
• The length of a URL is limited (2048 characters)
• Useful for form submissions where a user wants to bookmark the result
• GET is good for non-secure data, like query strings in Google

Notes on POST:

• Appends the form data inside the body of the HTTP request (the
submitted form data is not shown in the URL)
• POST has no size limitations, and can be used to send large amounts of
data.
• Form submissions with POST cannot be bookmarked

Tip: Always use POST if the form data contains sensitive or personal
information!

The Autocomplete Attribute

The autocomplete attribute specifies whether a form should have autocomplete on
or off.

When autocomplete is on, the browser automatically complete values based on

values that the user has entered before.

Example
A form with autocomplete on:

<form action="/action_page.php" autocomplete="on">

The Novalidate Attribute
The novalidate attribute is a boolean attribute.

When present, it specifies that the form-data (input) should not be validated
when submitted.

Example
A form with a novalidate attribute:

<form action="/action_page.php" novalidate>

Exercise?
What is the correct syntax for opening the form's result in a new browser tab?

<form action='/action_page.php' target='_blank'>

<form action='/action_page.php' target='_top'>

<form action='/action_page.php' target='_new'>

List of All <form> Attributes

Attribute Description
accept-charset Specifies the character encodings used for form submission

action Specifies where to send the form-data when a form is submitted

autocomplete Specifies whether a form should have autocomplete on or off

enctype Specifies how the form-data should be encoded when submitting it to the server (only for met

method Specifies the HTTP method to use when sending form-data

name Specifies the name of the form

novalidate Specifies that the form should not be validated when submitted

rel Specifies the relationship between a linked resource and the current document

target Specifies where to display the response that is received after submitting the form

HTML Form Elements

This chapter describes all the different HTML form elements.

The HTML <form> Elements

The HTML <form> element can contain one or more of the following form
elements:

• <input>
• <label>
• <select>
• <textarea>
• <button>
• <fieldset>
• <legend>
• <datalist>
• <output>
• <option>
• <optgroup>

The <input> Element

One of the most used form elements is the <input> element.

The <input> element can be displayed in several ways, depending on

the type attribute.

Example
<label for="fname">First name:</label>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname">

All the different values of the type attribute are covered in the next
chapter: HTML Input Types.

The <label> Element

The <label> element defines a label for several form elements.

The <label> element is useful for screen-reader users, because the screen-
reader will read out loud the label when the user focus on the input element.

The <label> element also help users who have difficulty clicking on very small
regions (such as radio buttons or checkboxes) - because when the user clicks
the text within the <label> element, it toggles the radio button/checkbox.

The for attribute of the <label> tag should be equal to the id attribute of
the <input> element to bind them together.

The <select> Element

The <select> element defines a drop-down list:

Example
<label for="cars">Choose a car:</label>
<select id="cars" name="cars">
<option value="volvo">Volvo</option>
<option value="saab">Saab</option>
<option value="fiat">Fiat</option>
<option value="audi">Audi</option>
</select>

The <option> element defines an option that can be selected.

By default, the first item in the drop-down list is selected.

To define a pre-selected option, add the selected attribute to the option:

Example
<option value="fiat" selected>Fiat</option>

Visible Values:
Use the size attribute to specify the number of visible values:
Example
<label for="cars">Choose a car:</label>
<select id="cars" name="cars" size="3">
<option value="volvo">Volvo</option>
<option value="saab">Saab</option>
<option value="fiat">Fiat</option>
<option value="audi">Audi</option>
</select>

Allow Multiple Selections:

Use the multiple attribute to allow the user to select more than one value:

Example
<label for="cars">Choose a car:</label>
<select id="cars" name="cars" size="4" multiple>
<option value="volvo">Volvo</option>
<option value="saab">Saab</option>
<option value="fiat">Fiat</option>
<option value="audi">Audi</option>
</select>

The <textarea> Element

The <textarea> element defines a multi-line input field (a text area):

Example
<textarea name="message" rows="10" cols="30">
The cat was playing in the garden.
</textarea>

The rows attribute specifies the visible number of lines in a text area.

The cols attribute specifies the visible width of a text area.

This is how the HTML code above will be displayed in a browser:

You can also define the size of the text area by using CSS:

Example
<textarea name="message" style="width:200px; height:600px;">
The cat was playing in the garden.
</textarea>

The <button> Element

The <button> element defines a clickable button:

Example
<button type="button" onclick="alert('Hello World!')">Click Me!</button>

This is how the HTML code above will be displayed in a browser:

Click Me!

Note: Always specify the type attribute for the button element. Different
browsers may use different default types for the button element.

The <fieldset> and <legend> Elements

The <fieldset> element is used to group related data in a form.
The <legend> element defines a caption for the <fieldset> element.

Example
<form action="/action_page.php">
<fieldset>
<legend>Personalia:</legend>
<label for="fname">First name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname" value="John"><br>
<label for="lname">Last name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="lname" name="lname" value="Doe"><br><br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</fieldset>
</form>

This is how the HTML code above will be displayed in a browser:

Personalia:First name:

Last name:

The <datalist> Element

The <datalist> element specifies a list of pre-defined options for
an <input> element.

Users will see a drop-down list of the pre-defined options as they input data.

The list attribute of the <input> element, must refer to the id attribute of
the <datalist> element.

Example
<form action="/action_page.php">
<input list="browsers">
<datalist id="browsers">
<option value="Edge">
 <option value="Firefox">
<option value="Chrome">
<option value="Opera">
<option value="Safari">
</datalist>
</form>

The <output> Element

The <output> element represents the result of a calculation (like one performed
by a script).

Example
Perform a calculation and show the result in an <output> element:

<form action="/action_page.php"
oninput="[Link]=parseInt([Link])+parseInt([Link])">
0
<input type="range" id="a" name="a" value="50">
100 +
<input type="number" id="b" name="b" value="50">
=
<output name="x" for="a b"></output>
<br><br>
<input type="submit">
</form>

Exercise?
What is the correct HTML element to group related data in a form and also, by default, draw a
border around it?

<group>

<fieldset>
 <fence>

HTML Form Elements

Tag Description

<form> Defines an HTML form for user input

<input> Defines an input control

<textarea> Defines a multiline input control (text area)

<label> Defines a label for an <input> element

<fieldset> Groups related elements in a form

<legend> Defines a caption for a <fieldset> element

<select> Defines a drop-down list

<optgroup> Defines a group of related options in a drop-down list

 <option> Defines an option in a drop-down list

<button> Defines a clickable button

<datalist> Specifies a list of pre-defined options for input controls

<output> Defines the result of a calculation

HTML Input Types

Here are the different input types you can use in HTML:

• <input type="button">
• <input type="checkbox">
• <input type="color">
• <input type="date">
• <input type="datetime-local">
• <input type="email">
• <input type="file">
• <input type="hidden">
• <input type="image">
• <input type="month">
• <input type="number">
• <input type="password">
• <input type="radio">
• <input type="range">
• <input type="reset">
• <input type="search">
• <input type="submit">
• <input type="tel">
• <input type="text">
• <input type="time">
• <input type="url">
 • <input type="week">

Tip: The default value of the type attribute is "text".

Input Type Text

<input type="text"> defines a single-line text input field:

Example
<form>
<label for="fname">First name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname"><br>
<label for="lname">Last name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="lname" name="lname">
</form>

This is how the HTML code above will be displayed in a browser:

First name:

Last name:

Input Type Password

<input type="password"> defines a password field:

Example
<form>
<label for="username">Username:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="username" name="username"><br>
<label for="pwd">Password:</label><br>
<input type="password" id="pwd" name="pwd">
</form>
This is how the HTML code above will be displayed in a browser:

Username:

Password:

The characters in a password field are masked (shown as asterisks or circles).

Input Type Submit

<input type="submit"> defines a button for submitting form data to a form-
handler.

The form-handler is typically a server page with a script for processing input
data.

The form-handler is specified in the form's action attribute:

Example
<form action="/action_page.php">
<label for="fname">First name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname" value="John"><br>
<label for="lname">Last name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="lname" name="lname" value="Doe"><br><br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>

This is how the HTML code above will be displayed in a browser:

First name:

Last name:
If you omit the submit button's value attribute, the button will get a default
text:

Example
<form action="/action_page.php">
<label for="fname">First name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname" value="John"><br>
<label for="lname">Last name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="lname" name="lname" value="Doe"><br><br>
<input type="submit">
</form>

Input Type Reset

<input type="reset"> defines a reset button that will reset all form values to
their default values:

Example
<form action="/action_page.php">
<label for="fname">First name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname" value="John"><br>
<label for="lname">Last name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="lname" name="lname" value="Doe"><br><br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
<input type="reset" value="Reset">
</form>

This is how the HTML code above will be displayed in a browser:

First name:

Last name:

If you change the input values and then click the "Reset" button, the form-data
will be reset to the default values.
Input Type Radio
<input type="radio"> defines a radio button.

Radio buttons let a user select ONLY ONE of a limited number of choices:

Example
<p>Choose your favorite Web language:</p>

<form>
<input type="radio" id="html" name="fav_language" value="HTML">
<label for="html">HTML</label><br>
<input type="radio" id="css" name="fav_language" value="CSS">
<label for="css">CSS</label><br>
<input type="radio" id="javascript" name="fav_language" value="JavaScrip
t">
<label for="javascript">JavaScript</label>
</form>

This is how the HTML code above will be displayed in a browser:

HTML
CSS
JavaScript

Input Type Checkbox

<input type="checkbox"> defines a checkbox.

Checkboxes let a user select ZERO or MORE options of a limited number of

choices.

Example
<form>
<input type="checkbox" id="vehicle1" name="vehicle1" value="Bike">
 <label for="vehicle1"> I have a bike</label><br>
<input type="checkbox" id="vehicle2" name="vehicle2" value="Car">
<label for="vehicle2"> I have a car</label><br>
<input type="checkbox" id="vehicle3" name="vehicle3" value="Boat">
<label for="vehicle3"> I have a boat</label>
</form>

This is how the HTML code above will be displayed in a browser:

I have a bike
I have a car
I have a boat

Input Type Button

<input type="button"> defines a button:

Example
<input type="button" onclick="alert('Hello World!')" value="Click Me!">

This is how the HTML code above will be displayed in a browser:

Input Type Color

The <input type="color"> is used for input fields that should contain a color.

Depending on browser support, a color picker can show up in the input field.

Example
<form>
<label for="favcolor">Select your favorite color:</label>
<input type="color" id="favcolor" name="favcolor">
</form>
Input Type Date
The <input type="date"> is used for input fields that should contain a date.

Depending on browser support, a date picker can show up in the input field.

Example
<form>
<label for="birthday">Birthday:</label>
<input type="date" id="birthday" name="birthday">
</form>

You can also use the min and max attributes to add restrictions to dates:

Example
<form>
<label for="datemax">Enter a date before 1980-01-01:</label>
<input type="date" id="datemax" name="datemax" max="1979-12-31"><br><br>
<label for="datemin">Enter a date after 2000-01-01:</label>
<input type="date" id="datemin" name="datemin" min="2000-01-02">
</form>

Input Type Datetime-local

The <input type="datetime-local"> specifies a date and time input field, with no
time zone.

Depending on browser support, a date picker can show up in the input field.

Example
<form>
<label for="birthdaytime">Birthday (date and time):</label>
<input type="datetime-local" id="birthdaytime" name="birthdaytime">
</form>
Input Type Email
The <input type="email"> is used for input fields that should contain an e-mail
address.

Depending on browser support, the e-mail address can be automatically

validated when submitted.

Some smartphones recognize the email type, and add ".com" to the keyboard to
match email input.

Example
<form>
<label for="email">Enter your email:</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email">
</form>

Input Type Image

The <input type="image"> defines an image as a submit button.

The path to the image is specified in the src attribute.

Example
<form>
<input type="image" src="img_submit.gif" alt="Submit" width="48" height="4
8">
</form>

Input Type File

The <input type="file"> defines a file-select field and a "Browse" button for file
uploads.
Example
<form>
<label for="myfile">Select a file:</label>
<input type="file" id="myfile" name="myfile">
</form>

Input Type Hidden

The <input type="hidden"> defines a hidden input field (not visible to a user).

A hidden field lets web developers include data that cannot be seen or modified
by users when a form is submitted.

A hidden field often stores what database record that needs to be updated when
the form is submitted.

Note: While the value is not displayed to the user in the page's content, it is
visible (and can be edited) using any browser's developer tools or "View Source"
functionality. Do not use hidden inputs as a form of security!

Example
<form>
<label for="fname">First name:</label>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname"><br><br>
<input type="hidden" id="custId" name="custId" value="3487">
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>

Input Type Month

The <input type="month"> allows the user to select a month and year.

Depending on browser support, a date picker can show up in the input field.

Example
<form>
<label for="bdaymonth">Birthday (month and year):</label>
<input type="month" id="bdaymonth" name="bdaymonth">
</form>

Input Type Number

The <input type="number"> defines a numeric input field.

You can also set restrictions on what numbers are accepted.

The following example displays a numeric input field, where you can enter a
value from 1 to 5:

Example
<form>
<label for="quantity">Quantity (between 1 and 5):</label>
<input type="number" id="quantity" name="quantity" min="1" max="5">
</form>

Input Restrictions
Here is a list of some common input restrictions:

Attribute Description

checked Specifies that an input field should be pre-selected when the page
type="radio")

disabled Specifies that an input field should be disabled

 max Specifies the maximum value for an input field

maxlength Specifies the maximum number of character for an input field

min Specifies the minimum value for an input field

pattern Specifies a regular expression to check the input value against

readonly Specifies that an input field is read only (cannot be changed)

required Specifies that an input field is required (must be filled out)

size Specifies the width (in characters) of an input field

step Specifies the legal number intervals for an input field

value Specifies the default value for an input field

You will learn more about input restrictions in the next chapter.

The following example displays a numeric input field, where you can enter a
value from 0 to 100, in steps of 10. The default value is 30:

Example
<form>
<label for="quantity">Quantity:</label>
<input type="number" id="quantity" name="quantity" min="0" max="100" ste
p="10" value="30">
</form>

Input Type Range

The <input type="range"> defines a control for entering a number whose exact
value is not important (like a slider control). Default range is 0 to 100.
However, you can set restrictions on what numbers are accepted with
the min, max, and step attributes:

Example
<form>
<label for="vol">Volume (between 0 and 50):</label>
<input type="range" id="vol" name="vol" min="0" max="50">
</form>

Input Type Search

The <input type="search"> is used for search fields (a search field behaves like a
regular text field).

Example
<form>
<label for="gsearch">Search Google:</label>
<input type="search" id="gsearch" name="gsearch">
</form>

Input Type Tel

The <input type="tel"> is used for input fields that should contain a telephone
number.

Example
<form>
<label for="phone">Enter your phone number:</label>
<input type="tel" id="phone" name="phone" pattern="[0-9]{3}-[0-9]{2}-[0-
9]{3}">
</form>

Input Type Time

The <input type="time"> allows the user to select a time (no time zone).

Depending on browser support, a time picker can show up in the input field.

Example
<form>
<label for="appt">Select a time:</label>
<input type="time" id="appt" name="appt">
</form>

Input Type Url

The <input type="url"> is used for input fields that should contain a URL address.

Depending on browser support, the url field can be automatically validated

when submitted.

Some smartphones recognize the url type, and adds ".com" to the keyboard to
match url input.

Example
<form>
<label for="homepage">Add your homepage:</label>
 <input type="url" id="homepage" name="homepage">
</form>

Input Type Week

The <input type="week"> allows the user to select a week and year.

Depending on browser support, a date picker can show up in the input field.

Example
<form>
<label for="week">Select a week:</label>
<input type="week" id="week" name="week">
</form>

Exercise?
What is the default value of the INPUT element's type attribute?

button

submit

text

HTML Input Type Attribute

 Tag Description

<input type=""> Specifies the input type to display

HTML Input Attributes

This chapter describes the different attributes for the HTML <input> element.

The value Attribute

The input value attribute specifies an initial value for an input field:

Example
Input fields with initial (default) values:

<form>
<label for="fname">First name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname" value="John"><br>
<label for="lname">Last name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="lname" name="lname" value="Doe">
</form>

The readonly Attribute

The input readonly attribute specifies that an input field is read-only.
A read-only input field cannot be modified (however, a user can tab to it,
highlight it, and copy the text from it).

The value of a read-only input field will be sent when submitting the form!

Example
A read-only input field:

<form>
<label for="fname">First name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname" value="John" readonly><br>
<label for="lname">Last name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="lname" name="lname" value="Doe">
</form>

The disabled Attribute

The input disabled attribute specifies that an input field should be disabled.

A disabled input field is unusable and un-clickable.

The value of a disabled input field will not be sent when submitting the form!

Example
A disabled input field:

<form>
<label for="fname">First name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname" value="John" disabled><br>
<label for="lname">Last name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="lname" name="lname" value="Doe">
</form>

The size Attribute

The input size attribute specifies the visible width, in characters, of an input
field.

The default value for size is 20.

Note: The size attribute works with the following input types: text, search, tel,
url, email, and password.

Example
Set a width for an input field:

<form>
<label for="fname">First name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname" size="50"><br>
<label for="pin">PIN:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="pin" name="pin" size="4">
</form>

The maxlength Attribute

The input maxlength attribute specifies the maximum number of characters
allowed in an input field.

Note: When a maxlength is set, the input field will not accept more than the
specified number of characters. However, this attribute does not provide any
feedback. So, if you want to alert the user, you must write JavaScript code.

Example
Set a maximum length for an input field:

<form>
<label for="fname">First name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname" size="50"><br>
<label for="pin">PIN:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="pin" name="pin" maxlength="4" size="4">
</form>
The min and max Attributes
The input min and max attributes specify the minimum and maximum values for
an input field.

The min and max attributes work with the following input types: number, range,
date, datetime-local, month, time and week.

Tip: Use the max and min attributes together to create a range of legal values.

Example
Set a max date, a min date, and a range of legal values:

<form>
<label for="datemax">Enter a date before 1980-01-01:</label>
<input type="date" id="datemax" name="datemax" max="1979-12-31"><br><br>

<label for="datemin">Enter a date after 2000-01-01:</label>

<input type="date" id="datemin" name="datemin" min="2000-01-02"><br><br>

<label for="quantity">Quantity (between 1 and 5):</label>

<input type="number" id="quantity" name="quantity" min="1" max="5">
</form>

The multiple Attribute

The input multiple attribute specifies that the user is allowed to enter more than
one value in an input field.

The multiple attribute works with the following input types: email, and file.

Example
A file upload field that accepts multiple values:

<form>
<label for="files">Select files:</label>
<input type="file" id="files" name="files" multiple>
</form>
The pattern Attribute
The input pattern attribute specifies a regular expression that the input field's
value is checked against, when the form is submitted.

The pattern attribute works with the following input types: text, date, search,
url, tel, email, and password.

Tip: Use the global title attribute to describe the pattern to help the user.

Tip: Learn more about regular expressions in our JavaScript tutorial.

Example
An input field that can contain only three letters (no numbers or special
characters):

<form>
<label for="country_code">Country code:</label>
<input type="text" id="country_code" name="country_code"
pattern="[A-Za-z]{3}" title="Three letter country code">
</form>

The placeholder Attribute

The input placeholder attribute specifies a short hint that describes the expected
value of an input field (a sample value or a short description of the expected
format).

The short hint is displayed in the input field before the user enters a value.

The placeholder attribute works with the following input types: text, search, url,
number, tel, email, and password.

Example
An input field with a placeholder text:
<form>
<label for="phone">Enter a phone number:</label>
<input type="tel" id="phone" name="phone"
placeholder="123-45-678"
pattern="[0-9]{3}-[0-9]{2}-[0-9]{3}">
</form>

The required Attribute

The input required attribute specifies that an input field must be filled out before
submitting the form.

The required attribute works with the following input types: text, search, url, tel,
email, password, date pickers, number, checkbox, radio, and file.

Example
A required input field:

<form>
<label for="username">Username:</label>
<input type="text" id="username" name="username" required>
</form>

The step Attribute

The input step attribute specifies the legal number intervals for an input field.

Example: if step="3", legal numbers could be -3, 0, 3, 6, etc.

Tip: This attribute can be used together with the max and min attributes to
create a range of legal values.

The step attribute works with the following input types: number, range, date,
datetime-local, month, time and week.

Example
An input field with a specified legal number intervals:

<form>
<label for="points">Points:</label>
<input type="number" id="points" name="points" step="3">
</form>
Note: Input restrictions are not foolproof, and JavaScript provides many ways
to add illegal input. To safely restrict input, it must also be checked by the
receiver (the server)!

The autofocus Attribute

The input autofocus attribute specifies that an input field should automatically
get focus when the page loads.

Example
Let the "First name" input field automatically get focus when the page loads:

<form>
<label for="fname">First name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname" autofocus><br>
<label for="lname">Last name:</label><br>
<input type="text" id="lname" name="lname">
</form>

The height and width Attributes

The input height and width attributes specify the height and width of an <input
type="image"> element.

Tip: Always specify both the height and width attributes for images. If height
and width are set, the space required for the image is reserved when the page
is loaded. Without these attributes, the browser does not know the size of the
image, and cannot reserve the appropriate space to it. The effect will be that
the page layout will change during loading (while the images load).

Example
Define an image as the submit button, with height and width attributes:

<form>
<label for="fname">First name:</label>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname"><br><br>
<label for="lname">Last name:</label>
<input type="text" id="lname" name="lname"><br><br>
<input type="image" src="img_submit.gif" alt="Submit" width="48" height=
"48">
</form>

The list Attribute

The input list attribute refers to a <datalist> element that contains pre-defined
options for an <input> element.

Example
An <input> element with pre-defined values in a <datalist>:

<form>
<input list="browsers">
<datalist id="browsers">
<option value="Edge">
<option value="Firefox">
<option value="Chrome">
<option value="Opera">
<option value="Safari">
</datalist>
</form>

The autocomplete Attribute

The input autocomplete attribute specifies whether a form or an input field should
have autocomplete on or off.

Autocomplete allows the browser to predict the value. When a user starts to
type in a field, the browser should display options to fill in the field, based on
earlier typed values.
The autocomplete attribute works with <form> and the following <input> types: text,
search, url, tel, email, password, datepickers, range, and color.

Example
An HTML form with autocomplete on, and off for one input field:

<form action="/action_page.php" autocomplete="on">

<label for="fname">First name:</label>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname"><br><br>
<label for="lname">Last name:</label>
<input type="text" id="lname" name="lname"><br><br>
<label for="email">Email:</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email" autocomplete="off"><br><br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>

Tip: In some browsers you may need to activate an autocomplete function for
this to work (Look under "Preferences" in the browser's menu).

Exercise?
What is the default value of the INPUT element's size attribute?

10

15

20

HTML Form and Input Elements

Tag Description
 <form> Defines an HTML form for user input

<input> Defines an input control

HTML Input form* Attributes

This chapter describes the different form* attributes for the

HTML <input> element.

The form Attribute

The input form attribute specifies the form the <input> element belongs to.

The value of this attribute must be equal to the id attribute of the <form>
element it belongs to.

Example
An input field located outside of the HTML form (but still a part of the form):

<form action="/action_page.php" id="form1">

<label for="fname">First name:</label>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname"><br><br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>

<label for="lname">Last name:</label>

<input type="text" id="lname" name="lname" form="form1">
The formaction Attribute
The input formaction attribute specifies the URL of the file that will process the
input when the form is submitted.

Note: This attribute overrides the action attribute of the <form> element.

The formaction attribute works with the following input types: submit and image.

Example
An HTML form with two submit buttons, with different actions:

<form action="/action_page.php">
<label for="fname">First name:</label>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname"><br><br>
<label for="lname">Last name:</label>
<input type="text" id="lname" name="lname"><br><br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
<input type="submit" formaction="/action_page2.php" value="Submit as
Admin">
</form>

The formenctype Attribute

The input formenctype attribute specifies how the form-data should be encoded
when submitted (only for forms with method="post").

Note: This attribute overrides the enctype attribute of the <form> element.

The formenctype attribute works with the following input types: submit and
image.

Example
A form with two submit buttons. The first sends the form-data with default
encoding, the second sends the form-data encoded as "multipart/form-data":

<form action="/action_page_binary.asp" method="post">

<label for="fname">First name:</label>
 <input type="text" id="fname" name="fname"><br><br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
<input type="submit" formenctype="multipart/form-data"
value="Submit as Multipart/form-data">
</form>

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The formmethod Attribute

The input formmethod attribute defines the HTTP method for sending form-data to
the action URL.

Note: This attribute overrides the method attribute of the <form> element.

The formmethod attribute works with the following input types: submit and image.

The form-data can be sent as URL variables (method="get") or as an HTTP post

transaction (method="post").

Notes on the "get" method:

• This method appends the form-data to the URL in name/value pairs

• This method is useful for form submissions where a user want to
bookmark the result
• There is a limit to how much data you can place in a URL (varies between
browsers), therefore, you cannot be sure that all of the form-data will be
correctly transferred
• Never use the "get" method to pass sensitive information! (password or
other sensitive information will be visible in the browser's address bar)

Notes on the "post" method:

• This method sends the form-data as an HTTP post transaction

• Form submissions with the "post" method cannot be bookmarked
• The "post" method is more robust and secure than "get", and "post" does
not have size limitations

Example
A form with two submit buttons. The first sends the form-data with
method="get". The second sends the form-data with method="post":

<form action="/action_page.php" method="get">

<label for="fname">First name:</label>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname"><br><br>
<label for="lname">Last name:</label>
<input type="text" id="lname" name="lname"><br><br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit using GET">
<input type="submit" formmethod="post" value="Submit using POST">
</form>

The formtarget Attribute

The input formtarget attribute specifies a name or a keyword that indicates
where to display the response that is received after submitting the form.

Note: This attribute overrides the target attribute of the <form> element.

The formtarget attribute works with the following input types: submit and image.

Example
A form with two submit buttons, with different target windows:

<form action="/action_page.php">
<label for="fname">First name:</label>
<input type="text" id="fname" name="fname"><br><br>
<label for="lname">Last name:</label>
<input type="text" id="lname" name="lname"><br><br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
<input type="submit" formtarget="_blank" value="Submit to a new
window/tab">
</form>

The formnovalidate Attribute

The input formnovalidate attribute specifies that an <input> element should not
be validated when submitted.

Note: This attribute overrides the novalidate attribute of the <form> element.

The formnovalidate attribute works with the following input types: submit.

Example
A form with two submit buttons (with and without validation):

<form action="/action_page.php">
<label for="email">Enter your email:</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email"><br><br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
<input type="submit" formnovalidate="formnovalidate"
value="Submit without validation">
</form>

The novalidate Attribute

The novalidate attribute is a <form> attribute.

When present, novalidate specifies that all of the form-data should not be
validated when submitted.

Example
Specify that no form-data should be validated on submit:

<form action="/action_page.php" novalidate>

<label for="email">Enter your email:</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email"><br><br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>

Exercise?
 What is not a legal form attribute for the INPUT element?

formaction

formtype

formtarget

HTML Form and Input Elements

Tag Description

<form> Defines an HTML form for user input

<input> Defines an input control