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>

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

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, like this <input />.

---

Tips and Notes

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

---

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	MIME_type	Specifies the types of files that can be submitted through a file upload (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 input (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 when the page loads	STF
maxlength	number	Specifies the maximum length (in characters) of an input field (for type="text" or type="password")	STF
name	name	Specifies a name for an input element	STF
readonly	readonly	Specifies that an input field should be read-only (for type="text" or type="password")	STF
size	number	Specifies the width of an input field	STF
src	URL	Specifies the URL to an image to display as a submit button	STF
type	button checkbox file hidden image password radio reset submit text	Specifies the type of an input element	STF
value	value	Specifies the value of an input element	STF

---

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

---

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