CSS :required Selector

Posted in CSS Tutorial

Updated on Sep 19, 2024

By Mari Selvan

👁️ 4 - Views

⏳ 4 mins

💬 0

Photo Credit to CodeToFun

🙋 Introduction

The :required selector in CSS is used to select form elements that have the required attribute.

It helps in styling mandatory form fields to make it clear to users which fields they must fill out before submitting a form.

This selector is especially useful for enhancing form usability and ensuring that required fields stand out.

💡 Syntax

The signature of the :required Selector is as follows:

Syntax

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:required {
    /* CSS properties */
}

The :required pseudo-class applies to form elements such as <input>, <textarea>, and <select> that are marked with the required attribute.

📝 Example

Here is an example of how to use the :required selector in CSS:

☠️ HTML

HTML

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<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
    <title>CSS :required Selector Example</title>
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">
</head>
<body>
    <form>
        <label for="email">Email (required):</label>
        <input type="email" id="email" required>

        <label for="phone">Phone (optional):</label>
        <input type="tel" id="phone">

        <button type="submit">Submit</button>
    </form>
</body>
</html>

🎨 CSS

CSS

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/* Style for required fields */
:required {
    border: 2px solid red;
    background-color: #ffe0e0;
}

/* Style for optional fields */
:optional {
    border: 2px solid green;
    background-color: #e0ffe0;
}

In this example:

Required form fields are highlighted with a red border and a light red background.
Optional fields are styled with a green border and a light green background.

💬 Usage Tips

The :required selector only works on form elements that support the required attribute, such as <input>, <textarea>, and <select>.
It is often paired with :optional to differentiate between required and optional fields.
Use visual cues like background colors, borders, or icons to signal to users that certain fields are mandatory.

⚠️ Common Pitfalls

Avoid using the :required selector on elements that don’t support the required attribute, as it will have no effect.
Ensure proper browser support. While modern browsers widely support the :required selector, older browsers might not.
Test your styles with various form input types like email, text, and number to ensure consistency in design.

🎉 Conclusion

The CSS :required selector is an essential tool for improving the user experience in web forms by visually indicating which fields must be filled out.

By applying distinct styles to required form fields, you make forms easier to understand and interact with, helping users complete them accurately. Incorporating the :required selector into your forms ensures better form validation and user engagement.