HTML disabled Attribute

Definition and Usage

The disabled attribute is a boolean attribute.

When present, it specifies that the element should be disabled.

A disabled element is unusable.

The disabled attribute can be set to keep a user from using the element until some other condition has been met (like selecting a checkbox, etc.). Then, a JavaScript could remove the disabled value, and make the element usable again.

Applies to

The disabled attribute can be used on the following elements:

Elements	Attribute
<button>	disabled
<fieldset>	disabled
<input>	disabled
<optgroup>	disabled
<option>	disabled
<select>	disabled
<textarea>	disabled

Examples

Button Example

A disabled button:

<button type="button" disabled>Click Me!</button>

Fieldset Example

Disable a group of related form elements:

<fieldset disabled>
<legend>Personalia:</legend>
Name: <input type="text"><br>
Email: <input type="text"><br>
Date of birth: <input type="text">
</fieldset>

Input Example

An HTML form with a disabled input field:

<form action="/action_page.php">
First name: <input type="text" name="fname"><br>
Last name: <input type="text" name="lname" disabled><br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>

Optgroup Example

A disabled option-group:

<select>
<optgroup label="German Cars" disabled>
<option value="mercedes">Mercedes</option>
<option value="audi">Audi</option>
</optgroup>
</select>

Option Example

A drop-down list with one disabled option:

<select>
<option value="volvo" disabled>Volvo</option>
<option value="saab">Saab</option>
<option value="vw">VW</option>
<option value="audi">Audi</option>
</select>

Select Example

A disabled drop-down list:

<select disabled>
<option value="volvo">Volvo</option>
<option value="saab">Saab</option>
<option value="mercedes">Mercedes</option>
<option value="audi">Audi</option>
</select>

Textarea Example

A disabled text area:

<textarea disabled>
Love makes Life Live.
</textarea>

Browser Support

The disabled attribute has the following browser support for each element:

Element
button	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
fieldset	Yes	Not supported	Yes	7.0	Yes
input	1.0	6.0	1.0	1.0	1.0
optgroup	1.0	8.0	Yes	Yes	Yes
option	1.0	8.0	1.0	Yes	Yes
select	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
textarea	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes