# HTML <textarea> Tag

## Example

An HTML text area:

<textarea rows="4" cols="50">
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</textarea>
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## Definition and Usage

The <textarea> tag defines a multi-line text input control.

A text area can hold an unlimited number of characters, and the text renders in a fixed-width font (usually Courier).

The size of a text area can be specified by the cols and rows attributes, or even better; through CSS' height and width properties.

## Browser Support

Element |  |  |  |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
<textarea> | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes

## Differences Between HTML 4.01 and HTML5

HTML5 has added several new attributes.

## Attributes

= New in HTML5.

Attribute | Value | Description
--- | --- | ---
autofocus | autofocus | Specifies that a text area should automatically get focus when the page loads
cols | number | Specifies the visible width of a text area
disabled | disabled | Specifies that a text area should be disabled
form | form_id | Specifies one or more forms the text area belongs to
maxlength | number | Specifies the maximum number of characters allowed in the text area
name | text | Specifies a name for a text area
placeholder | text | Specifies a short hint that describes the expected value of a text area
readonly | readonly | Specifies that a text area should be read-only
required | required | Specifies that a text area is required/must be filled out
rows | number | Specifies the visible number of lines in a text area
wrap | hard soft | Specifies how the text in a text area is to be wrapped when submitted in a form

## Global Attributes

The <textarea> tag also supports the Global Attributes in HTML.

## Event Attributes

The <textarea> tag also supports the Event Attributes in HTML.

## Related Pages

HTML DOM reference: Textarea Object

## Default CSS Settings

None.

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