HTML attribute: required

The Boolean required attribute, if present, indicates that the user must specify a value for the input before the owning form can be submitted.

The required attribute is supported by text, search, url, tel, email, password, date, month, week, time, datetime-local, number, checkbox, radio, file, <input> types along with the <select> and <textarea> form control elements. If present on any of these input types and elements, the :required pseudo class will match. If the attribute is not included, the :optional pseudo class will match.

The attribute is not supported or relevant to range and color, as both have default values. It is also not supported on hidden as it can not be expected that a user to fill out a form that is hidden. Nor is it supported on any of the button types, including image.

Note color and range don't support required, but type color defaults to #000000, and range defaults to the midpoint between min and max -- with min and max defaulting to 0 and 100 respectively in most browsers if not declared -- so always has a value.

In the case of a same named group of radio buttons, if a single radio button in the group has the required attribute, a radio button in that group must be checked, although it doesn't have to be the one with the attribute is applied. So to improve code maintenance, it is recommended to either include the required attribute in every same-named radio button in the group, or else in none.

In the case of a same named group of checkbox input types, only the checkboxes with the required attribute are required.

Note: Setting aria-required="true" tells a screen reader that an element (any element) is required, but has no bearing on the optionality of the element.

Attribute interactions

Because a read-only field cannot have a value, required does not have any effect on inputs with the readonly attribute also specified.

Usability

When including the required attribute, provide a visible indication near the control informing the user that the <input>, <select> or <textarea> is required. In addition, target required form controls with the :required pseudo-class, styling them in a way to indicate they are required. This improves usability for sighted users. Assistive technology should inform the user that the form control in mandatory based on the required attribute, but adding aria-required="true" doesn't hurt, in case the browser / screen reader combination does not support required yet.

Constraint validation

If the element is required and the element's value is the empty string, then the element is suffering from valueMissing and the element will match the :invalid pseudo class.

Accessibility concerns

Provide an indication to users informing them the form control is required. Ensure the messaging is multi-faceted, such as through text, color, markings, and attribute, so that all users understand the requirements whether they have color blindness, cognitive differences, or are using a screen reader.

Example

HTML

<form>
  <div class="group">
    <input type="text">
    <label>Normal</label>
  </div>
  <div class="group">
    <input type="text" required="required">
    <label>Required</label>
  </div>
  <input type="submit">
</form>

Result

Specifications

Specification	Status	Comment
HTML Living Standard The definition of 'required attribute' in that specification.	Living Standard
HTML5 The definition of 'required attribute' in that specification.	Recommendation
HTML 5.1 The definition of 'required attribute' in that specification.	Recommendation

Browser compatibility

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