HTML <button> Tag
Example
A button is marked up as follows:
| <button type="button">Click Me!</button> |
Try it yourself » |
Definition and Usage
The <button> tag defines a push button.
Inside a button element you can put content, like text or images. This is the difference between this element and buttons created with the input element.
Always specify the type attribute for the button. The default type for Internet Explorer is "button", while in other browsers (and
in the W3C specification) it is "submit".
Browser Support
The <button> tag is supported in all major browsers.
Important: If you use the button element in an HTML form, different browsers will submit different values. Internet Explorer will
submit the text between the <button> and </button> tags, while other browsers will submit the content of the value attribute. Use the input
element to create buttons in an HTML form.
Differences Between HTML and XHTML
NONE
Optional Attributes
DTD indicates in which HTML 4.01/XHTML 1.0
DTD the attribute is allowed. S=Strict, T=Transitional, and F=Frameset.
| Attribute |
Value |
Description |
DTD |
| disabled |
disabled |
Specifies that a button should be disabled |
STF |
| name |
name |
Specifies the name for a button |
STF |
| type |
button
reset
submit |
Specifies the type of a button |
STF |
| value |
text |
Specifies the underlying value of a button |
STF |
Standard Attributes
The <button> tag supports the following standard attributes:
| Attribute |
Value |
Description |
DTD |
| accesskey |
character |
Specifies a keyboard shortcut to access an element |
STF |
| class |
classname |
Specifies a classname for an element |
STF |
| dir |
rtl
ltr |
Specifies the text direction
for the content in an element |
STF |
| id |
id |
Specifies a unique id for an element |
STF |
| lang |
language_code |
Specifies a language code for the content in an element |
STF |
| style |
style_definition |
Specifies an inline style for an element |
STF |
| tabindex |
number |
Specifies the tab order of an element |
STF |
| title |
text |
Specifies extra information about an element |
STF |
| xml:lang |
language_code |
Specifies a language code for the content in an element, in
XHTML documents |
STF |
More information about Standard Attributes.
Event Attributes
The <button> tag supports the following event attributes:
| Attribute |
Value |
Description |
DTD |
| onblur |
script |
Script to be run when an element loses focus |
STF |
| onclick |
script |
Script to be run on a mouse click |
STF |
| ondblclick |
script |
Script to be run on a mouse double-click |
STF |
| onfocus |
script |
Script to be run when an element gets focus |
STF |
| onmousedown |
script |
Script to be run when mouse button is pressed |
STF |
| onmousemove |
script |
Script to be run when mouse pointer moves |
STF |
| onmouseout |
script |
Script to be run when mouse pointer moves out of an
element |
STF |
| onmouseover |
script |
Script to be run when mouse pointer moves over an
element |
STF |
| onmouseup |
script |
Script to be run when mouse button is released |
STF |
| onkeydown |
script |
Script to be run when a key is pressed |
STF |
| onkeypress |
script |
Script to be run when a key is pressed and released |
STF |
| onkeyup |
script |
Script to be run when a key is released |
STF |
More information about Event Attributes.
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