:disabled

The :disabled CSS pseudo-class represents any disabled element. An element is disabled if it can't be activated (selected, clicked on, typed into, etc.) or accept focus. The element also has an enabled state, in which it can be activated or accept focus.

/* Selects any disabled <input> */
input:disabled {
  background: #ccc;
}

Syntax

:disabled

Examples

This example shows a basic shipping form. It uses the JavaScript change event to let the user enable/disable the billing fields.

HTML

<form action="#">
  <fieldset id="shipping">
    <legend>Shipping address</legend>
    <input type="text" placeholder="Name">
    <input type="text" placeholder="Address">
    <input type="text" placeholder="Zip Code">
  </fieldset>
  <br>
  <fieldset id="billing">
    <legend>Billing address</legend>
    <label for="billing-checkbox">Same as shipping address:</label>
    <input type="checkbox" id="billing-checkbox" checked>
    <br>
    <input type="text" placeholder="Name" disabled>
    <input type="text" placeholder="Address" disabled>
    <input type="text" placeholder="Zip Code" disabled>
  </fieldset>
</form>

CSS

input[type="text"]:disabled {
  background: #ccc;
}

JavaScript

// Wait for the page to finish loading
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function () {
  // Attach `change` event listener to checkbox
  document.getElementById('billing-checkbox').onchange = toggleBilling;
}, false);

function toggleBilling() {
  // Select the billing text fields
  var billingItems = document.querySelectorAll('#billing input[type="text"]');

  // Toggle the billing text fields
  for (var i = 0; i < billingItems.length; i++) {
    billingItems[i].disabled = !billingItems[i].disabled;
  }
}

Result

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
HTML Living Standard
The definition of ':disabled' in that specification.
Living Standard No change.
HTML5
The definition of ':disabled' in that specification.
Recommendation Defines the semantics of HTML and forms.
Selectors Level 4
The definition of ':disabled' in that specification.
Working Draft No change.
Selectors Level 3
The definition of ':disabled' in that specification.
Recommendation Defines the pseudo-class, but not the associated semantics.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
:disabledChrome Full support 1Edge Full support 12
Notes
Full support 12
Notes
Notes Edge does not recognize :disabled on the <fieldset> element.
Firefox Full support 1IE Full support 9
Notes
Full support 9
Notes
Notes Internet Explorer does not recognize :disabled on the <fieldset> element.
Opera Full support 9Safari Full support 3.1WebView Android Full support 2Chrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 4Opera Android Full support 10.1Safari iOS Full support 3.1Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0

Legend

Full support
Full support
See implementation notes.
See implementation notes.

See also