juniorHTML5
What does the 'placeholder' attribute do?
Updated Apr 28, 2026
Short answer
It provides a short hint describing the expected value of an input field.
Deep explanation
The hint is displayed in the input field before the user enters a value. It should not be used as a replacement for the <label> tag, as it disappears once the user starts typing.
Real-world example
Showing 'MM/YY' inside a credit card expiration field to guide the user format.
Common mistakes
- Using placeholder instead of <label>, which is bad for accessibility.
Follow-up questions
- Can you style placeholders with CSS?