HTML 4 option Tag

Also see HTML5 <option> Tag.

This page is for the HTML 4 version of this element. For a more up to date version, see HTML5 <option> Tag.


The HTML option tag is used in conjunction with the select tag and is used for defining option items within the select list.

Also see <optgroup> tag for grouping your option items, and the HTML 5 <datalist> tag for creating an "autocomplete" feature on your <input> tags.

Example

Attributes

Attributes specific to this tag:
AttributeDescription
selectedSpecifies that this option will be pre-selected when the user first loads the page.
valueSpecifies the initial value of the option item.
labelSpecifies a label to be used as an alternative to the option item's contents. Useful if you'd prefer a shorter, more concise label.
Other Attributes:
AttributeDescription
classDocument wide identifier.
idDocument wide identifier
dirSpecifies the direction of the text
langLanguage code
styleInline style (CSS).
titleSpecifies a title to associate with the element.
tabindexHelps determine the tabbing order (when the user 'tabs' through the elements on the page).
disabledDisables the input control. The button won't accept changes from the user. It also cannot receive focus and will be skipped when tabbing.
onclickIntrinsic event (see event handlers)
ondbclickIntrinsic event (see event handlers)
onmousedownIntrinsic event (see event handlers)
onmouseupIntrinsic event (see event handlers)
onmouseoverIntrinsic event (see event handlers)
onmousemoveIntrinsic event (see event handlers)
onmouseoutIntrinsic event (see event handlers)
onkeypressIntrinsic event (see event handlers)
onkeydownIntrinsic event (see event handlers)
onkeyupIntrinsic event (see event handlers)

Try it Yourself!

Modify the code below, then click Update. See below for attributes.

HTML5 Tags

The information on this page is based on HTML version 4.01. Most modern browsers now support HTML5.

See HTML5 <option> Tag for the HTML5 version of the above element.

See this list of HTML tags for the latest list of HTML elements.