HTML Academy · Lesson

Input Types text password email number tel

Use the right input type for each data field.

Input Types text password email number tel is a free HTML Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 2 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the HTML Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.

The input Element

The <input> element creates various form controls. The type attribute determines what kind:

<input type="text">      <!-- single-line text -->
<input type="password"> <!-- masked text -->
<input type="email">    <!-- email address -->
<input type="number">   <!-- numeric -->
<input type="tel">      <!-- phone number -->

type=text

The default input type — a single-line text field:

<label for="username">Username</label>
<input
  type="text"
  id="username"
  name="username"
  placeholder="e.g. jane_doe"
  maxlength="50"
  autocomplete="username"
>

type=password

The password input masks characters as the user types:

<label for="pwd">Password</label>
<input
  type="password"
  id="pwd"
  name="password"
  minlength="8"
  autocomplete="current-password"
  required
>
<!-- Browser may offer to save/fill the password -->
<!-- autocomplete="new-password" for registration forms -->

type=email

The email input validates email format on mobile and desktop:

<label for="email">Email</label>
<input
  type="email"
  id="email"
  name="email"
  placeholder="you@example.com"
  autocomplete="email"
  required
>
<!-- Mobile: shows @ on keyboard -->
<!-- Browser validates basic email format on submit -->

type=number

The number input accepts numeric values with spin controls:

<label for="qty">Quantity</label>
<input
  type="number"
  id="qty"
  name="quantity"
  min="1"
  max="100"
  step="1"
  value="1"
>
<!-- min, max, step control allowed values -->
<!-- Mobile: shows numeric keypad -->
<!-- Note: only integers with step=1; decimals need step="0.01" -->

type=tel

The tel input accepts phone numbers without format validation:

<label for="phone">Phone number</label>
<input
  type="tel"
  id="phone"
  name="phone"
  placeholder="+1 (555) 555-0100"
  pattern="[+][0-9 ()-]{7,20}"
  autocomplete="tel"
>
<!-- Mobile: shows phone keypad -->
<!-- No built-in validation — phone formats vary globally -->
<!-- Use pattern attribute for format validation -->

name Attribute Is Essential

The name attribute is how the server identifies each field:

<form action="/search">
  <!-- Without name, the field is NOT sent with the form -->
  <input type="text" name="q" placeholder="Search">
  <button type="submit">Search</button>
</form>
<!-- Submits: /search?q=your+search+term -->
<!-- name="q" → the key in the submitted data -->

Placeholder vs Label

The placeholder attribute provides example text — but never use it instead of a label:

<!-- BAD: placeholder as label -->
<input type="text" placeholder="Enter your name">

<!-- GOOD: label + helpful placeholder -->
<label for="name">Full name</label>
<input type="text" id="name" name="name" placeholder="e.g. Jane Smith">
<!-- Placeholder disappears on typing — screen readers often skip it -->

value and defaultValue

Pre-fill inputs with the value attribute:

<input type="text" name="country" value="United States">
<!-- Renders with 'United States' pre-filled -->

<input type="number" name="qty" value="1" min="1" max="10">
<!-- Default quantity of 1 -->

disabled and readonly

Two ways to make an input non-editable:

<input type="text" value="Fixed value" readonly>
<!-- readonly: user can see and select text, but not edit it -->
<!-- Value IS submitted with the form -->

<input type="text" value="Disabled" disabled>
<!-- disabled: user cannot interact with it at all -->
<!-- Value is NOT submitted with the form -->
<!-- NOT in tab order -->

Input Autocomplete Values

Specific autocomplete values improve browser autofill accuracy:

<input type="text" name="name" autocomplete="name">
<input type="email" name="email" autocomplete="email">
<input type="tel" name="phone" autocomplete="tel">
<input type="text" name="street" autocomplete="address-line1">
<input type="text" name="city" autocomplete="address-level2">
<input type="text" name="zip" autocomplete="postal-code">
<input type="password" autocomplete="new-password">

Quick Check

Which input type should you use for a phone number field?

Recap: Input Types

Common input types:

type="text" — general text (default)
type="password" — masked text; use autocomplete="new-password"
type="email" — email with mobile @ key
type="number" — numeric with min/max/step
type="tel" — phone number with phone keypad
Always include name and associated <label>

Frequently asked questions

Is the “Input Types text password email number tel” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Input Types text password email number tel” is free to read here on the web, and the HTML Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the HTML Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.

What will I learn in “Input Types text password email number tel”?

Use the right input type for each data field. You practise HTML Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start HTML Academy?

No prior experience is required. HTML Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 2 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.

How long does the “Input Types text password email number tel” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this HTML Academy lesson?

Yes. Every HTML Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.

All lessons in this course

The form Element action method enctype
Input Types text password email number tel
The label Element and Accessibility
The button Element submit reset button

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