<textarea>
Forms
A multi-line text box; its default text goes between the tags.
| How to write it | <textarea></textarea> |
|---|---|
| Closing tag | </textarea> |
| Void element | No — it must be closed |
| Common attributes | name, rows, cols |
| Category | Forms |
How to read this
- Most tags come in pairs, opening and closing. Only tags with no content — img, br — are left unclosed.
- Writing </br> for a void element does nothing useful; the browser ignores it or adds an empty line.
- Appearance is CSS’s job. A tag says what something is; bold or italic is only the consequence.
- Choosing the tag that matches the meaning helps search engines and screen readers alike. Wrapping everything in div throws that information away.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What is the HTML <textarea> tag?
A multi-line text box; its default text goes between the tags.
Q. How do you write <textarea>?
As <textarea></textarea>. The opening <textarea> pairs with the closing </textarea>.
Q. Which attributes are common on <textarea>?
name, rows, cols are the usual ones.
Q. What group does <textarea> belong to?
The forms group.