::placeholder

The ::placeholder CSS pseudo-element represents the placeholder text in an <input> or <textarea> element.

::placeholder {
  color: blue;
  font-size: 1.5em;
}

Only the subset of CSS properties that apply to the ::first-line pseudo-element can be used in a rule using ::placeholder in its selector.

Note: In most browsers, the appearance of placeholder text is a translucent or light gray color by default.

Syntax

::placeholder

Accessibility concerns

Color contrast

Contrast Ratio

Placeholder text typically has a lighter color treatment to indicate that it is a suggestion for what kind of input will be valid, and is not actual input of any kind.

It is important to ensure that the contrast ratio between the color of the placeholder text and the background of the input is high enough that people experiencing low vision conditions will be able to read it while also making sure there is enough of a difference between the placeholder text and input text color that users do not mistake the placeholder for inputed data.

Color contrast ratio is determined by comparing the luminosity of the placeholder text and the input background color values. In order to meet current Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), a ratio of 4.5:1 is required for text content and 3:1 for larger text such as headings. Large text is defined as 18.66px and bold or larger, or 24px or larger.

Usability

Placeholder text with sufficient color contrast may be interpreted as entered input. Placeholder text will also disappear when a person enters content into an <input> element. Both of these circumstances can interfere with successful form completion, especially for people with cognitive concerns.

An alternate approach to providing placeholder information is to include it outside of the input in close visual proximity, then use aria-describedby to programmatically associate the <input> with its hint.

With this implementation, the hint content is available even if information is entered into the input field, and the input appears free of preexisting input when the page is loaded. Most screen reading technology will use aria-describedby to read the hint after the input's label text is announced, and the person using the screen reader can mute it if they find the extra information unnecessary.

<label for="user-email">Your email address</label>
<span id="user-email-hint" class="input-hint">Example: jane@sample.com</span>
<input id="user-email" aria-describedby="user-email-hint" name="email" type="email">

Windows High Contrast Mode

Placeholder text will appear with the same styling as user-entered text content when rendered in Windows High Contrast Mode. This will make it difficult for some people to determine which content has been entered, and which content is placeholder text.

Labels

Placeholders are not a replacement for the <label> element. Without a label that has been programmatically associated with an input using a combination of the for and id attributes, assistive technology such as screen readers cannot parse <input> elements.

Examples

Red text

HTML

<input placeholder="Type something here!">

CSS

input::placeholder {
  color: red;
  font-size: 1.2em;
  font-style: italic;
}

Result

Green text

HTML

<input placeholder="Type something here...">

CSS

input::placeholder {
  color: green;
}

Result

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
CSS Pseudo-Elements Level 4
The definition of '::placeholder' in that specification.
Working Draft Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
::placeholderChrome Full support 57
Full support 57
Full support 6
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-input-
Edge Full support 12
Prefixed
Full support 12
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-input-
Full support 12
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -ms-input-
Firefox Full support 51
Full support 51
Full support 19
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -moz-
IE No support NoOpera Full support 44
Full support 44
Full support 15
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-input-
Safari Full support 10.1
Full support 10.1
Full support 5
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-input-
WebView Android Full support 57
Full support 57
Full support 2
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-input-
Chrome Android Full support 57
Full support 57
Full support 18
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-input-
Firefox Android Full support 51
Full support 51
Full support 19
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -moz-
Opera Android Full support 43
Full support 43
Full support 14
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-input-
Safari iOS Full support 10.3
Full support 10.3
Full support 4.3
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-input-
Samsung Internet Android Full support 7.0
Full support 7.0
Full support 1.0
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-input-

Legend

Full support
Full support
No support
No support
Requires a vendor prefix or different name for use.
Requires a vendor prefix or different name for use.

See also