HTML5 Forms: The Markup
Key Takeaways
- HTML5 introduces a range of new input types and attributes for forms, including email, tel, url, search, number, range, date, datetime, datetime-local, month, week, time, and color, which provide native input assistance and validation without any JavaScript code.
- HTML5 provides read-only output options, including output (the result of a calculation or user action), progress (a progress bar), and meter (a scale which can change between colors depending on the values set for the attributes). It also enables the use of label elements either around or next to the input itself with a for attribute stating the input’s ID.
- While HTML5 input types are the future, it’s important to always use the correct input type for the data you’re requesting and validate user data on the server side. Client-side validation never has and never will be a substitute for server-side validation.
- input type="text"
- input type="checkbox"
- input type="radio"
- input type="password"
- input type="hidden" — for data the user cannot view
- input type="file" — for uploads
- textarea — for longer text entry
- select — for drop-down lists
- button — generally used for submitting a form, although input type="submit" and input type="image" could also be used.
Also:
- CSS styling possibilities were limited,
- custom controls such as date and color pickers had to be developed in code, and
- client-side validation required JavaScript.
Additional HTML5 Input Types
A deluge of new input types have been introduced. These provide native input assistance and validation without any JavaScript code…Input Attributes
Unless stated otherwise, input fields can have any of the following form-specific attributes. Several are Boolean attributes, that is, they do not require values, e.g<span><span><span><input</span> type<span>="email"</span> name<span>="email"</span> required /></span></span>
although you can add them if you prefer a stricter XHTML-like syntax, e.g.
<span><span><span><input</span> type<span>="email"</span> name<span>="email"</span> required<span>="required"</span> /></span></span>
- verbatim — non-prose content such as usernames
- latin — latin script such as search fields
- latin-name — names, i.e. with initial letter capitalization
- latin-prose — prose content such as messages, tweets, etc.
- numeric — numeric input where number or range would not be appropriate, e.g. credit card numbers
Note that date fields must always use YYYY-MM-DD for value, min and max attributes.
The following example requests a mandatory email which ends in @mysite.com and has focus when the page loads:
<span><span><span><input</span> type<span>="email"</span> name<span>="email"</span> required /></span></span>
Datalists
A datalist contains a set of suitable options for any type of input, e.g.<span><span><span><input</span> type<span>="email"</span> name<span>="email"</span> required<span>="required"</span> /></span></span>
When datalist is supported, the browser presents auto-complete options when you start to type. The whole list is usually shown if you double-click the control or click the down arrow (if shown). Unlike a standard select drop-down, the user is free to override these choices and enter their own value. It’s possible to set values and text like standard select options, e.g.
<span><span><span><input</span> </span></span><span> <span>type<span>="email"</span> </span></span><span> <span>name<span>="login"</span> </span></span><span> <span>pattern<span>="@mysite\.com$"</span> </span></span><span> <span>autocomplete<span>="email"</span> </span></span><span> <span>autofocus </span></span><span> <span>required /></span></span>
but be aware that implementations differ. For example, Firefox auto-completes on the text itself (Internet Explorer) while Chrome prefers the value (IE) and shows the text greyed out:

Datalists can be populated by JavaScript if you wanted to retrieve options via Ajax.
Disabling Validation
Validation for the whole form can be disabled by setting a novalidate attribute on the form element. Alternatively, you can set a formnovalidate attribute on the form’s submit button/image. Remember also that setting an input’s disabled attribute will prevent validation on that field.Output Fields
While we’re primarily discussing input types, HTML5 also provides read-only output options:- output — the result of a calculation or user action
- progress — a progress bar (the value and max attributes define the status)
- meter — a scale which can change between green, amber and red depending on the values set for the attributes value, min, max, low, high and optimum
Separating and Labeling Inputs
The whatwg.org form specification states:Each part of a form is considered a paragraph, and is typically separated from other parts usingInteresting. I normally use a div although I doubt it matters from a semantic perspective. A p tag is shorter although it’s possible you’ll need to apply a class to modify margins. More importantly, you should use label elements either around or next to the input itself with a for attribute stating the input’s ID, e.g.elements
<span><span><span><input</span> type<span>="email"</span> name<span>="email"</span> required /></span></span>
No Standard Controls
There are no specific interface guidelines for browser vendors to follow. This is intentional: a typical desktop mouse-controlled date picker can be too small on a mobile device so the vendor can implement a touch-based alternative.Browser Support
Not every input type and attribute is supported in all browsers. In general, most modern browsers from IE10 include basics such as email and number. However, the date types are only supported in Webkit and Blink browsers at the time of writing. The browser will revert to a standard text input when a specific type and ignore attributes when those values are not supported.Always Use the Correct Type!
It’s important to use the correct input type for the data you’re requesting. That may seem obvious but you will encounter situations when you’ll be tempted to use a standard text input. Consider dates. Support is patchy and this leads to implementation issues:- The standard date input always returns dates in YYYY-MM-DD format regardless of how the date picker is presented in your locale.
- IE and Firefox will fall back to a standard text input, but your users may expect to enter values in US MM-DD-YYYY or European DD-MM-YYYY format.
- A JavaScript date picker such as the one in jQuery UI allows you to define a custom format — or even YYYY-MM-DD for consistency — but you cannot guarantee JavaScript will be enabled.
Validate Server-Side
Browser validation is not guaranteed. Even if you forced everyone to access using the latest version of Chrome you could never prevent:- browser bugs or JavaScript failures permitting invalid data
- the user changing your HTML or scripts using browser tools
- submission from systems outside your control, or
- data interception between the browser and the server (certainly over HTTP).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about HTML5 Forms Markup
What is the importance of using HTML5 in form markup?
HTML5 introduces a range of new input types and attributes that provide a better user experience for form filling. These new features allow for more specific input types, such as email, date, and time, which can be validated by the browser itself, reducing the need for additional JavaScript. This leads to cleaner, more efficient code and a smoother user experience.
How does HTML5 improve accessibility in form markup?
HTML5 provides several features that enhance accessibility. For instance, the “required” attribute can be used to ensure that essential fields are filled in. The “placeholder” attribute can provide hints to users about what type of information is expected in a field. Additionally, the “autofocus” attribute can automatically focus the cursor on a particular input field when the page loads, guiding the user’s interaction with the form.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when using HTML5 for form markup?
One common mistake is not properly using the new input types and attributes introduced in HTML5. For example, using the wrong input type can lead to incorrect data being submitted. Another mistake is not providing adequate fallbacks for older browsers that do not support HTML5. This can lead to a poor user experience for those using older technology.
How can I use HTML5 to create more interactive forms?
HTML5 introduces several new form elements that can be used to create more interactive forms. For example, the “datalist” element can be used to create a dropdown list of options for an input field, while the “progress” and “meter” elements can be used to visually represent the progress of a task or the current value within a known range, respectively.
How does HTML5 handle form validation?
HTML5 introduces built-in form validation through the use of certain attributes. For example, the “required” attribute can be used to ensure that a field is not left empty, while the “pattern” attribute can be used to specify a regular expression that the input field’s value must match. If the input does not meet these criteria, the form will not be submitted and the user will be prompted to correct their input.
What are the benefits of using semantic elements in HTML5?
Semantic elements in HTML5 provide a clear indication of what type of content is contained within them, making it easier for both developers and machines (like search engines) to understand the structure and content of a webpage. This can improve search engine optimization and accessibility.
How can I ensure my HTML5 forms are compatible with older browsers?
While HTML5 is widely supported by modern browsers, it’s important to provide fallbacks for older browsers that may not support all HTML5 features. This can be done by using JavaScript to detect whether a browser supports a particular feature and providing an alternative implementation if it does not.
How can I use HTML5 to improve the mobile experience of my forms?
HTML5 introduces several features that can improve the mobile experience of forms. For example, the “autofocus” attribute can be used to automatically focus the cursor on a particular input field when the page loads, reducing the need for users to manually tap the field. Additionally, the new input types like “email” and “tel” bring up specialized keyboards on mobile devices, making it easier for users to input the correct type of data.
What are some best practices for structuring a web form in HTML5?
Some best practices for structuring a web form in HTML5 include grouping related form controls using the “fieldset” element, providing descriptive labels for all form controls using the “label” element, and using the “legend” element to provide a caption for each “fieldset”. Additionally, it’s important to use the appropriate input types and attributes to ensure data validity and improve user experience.
How can I use CSS to style my HTML5 forms?
CSS can be used to style HTML5 forms in a variety of ways. For example, you can use CSS to change the color, size, and font of form elements, add borders and backgrounds, and apply hover effects. Additionally, CSS can be used to control the layout of form elements, such as aligning form controls and labels, and creating multi-column forms.
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