The <input> tag
The <input> tag creates a form field. Its exact behavior depends on the type attribute — text, number, checkbox, file, and more.
Syntax
<input type="text" name="username" value="">Attributes
| type | text, email, password, number, checkbox, radio, file, date, tel, and others — determines behavior and built-in validation. |
| name | The key under which the value is submitted with the form data. |
| value | The initial value (or current state for checkbox/radio via checked). |
| required / pattern / min / max / maxlength | Built-in HTML5 validation without any JavaScript. |
| placeholder | A hint shown inside the field that disappears on input. It does NOT replace a label. |
Example
<label for="qty">Quantity</label>
<input type="number" id="qty" name="qty" min="1" max="10" value="1">
Notes
- placeholder is not a substitute for a label — it disappears on focus/input and isn't announced as reliably by screen readers.
- input is a void element — it has no closing tag.
Accessibility
- Always associate an input with a label via for/id, not just a placeholder.