# The `<textarea>` tag in HTML
The **`<textarea>`** tag defines a multi-line text box to input data from the user. The structure of the `<textarea>` tag is as follows:
```html
<textarea id="aboutMe" name="aboutMe" rows="2" cols="5">
I am a content writer at Educative, Inc.
</textarea>
```
The `<textarea>` tag displays a multi-line text box for data input. The height and width of the text box are usually defined by `rows` and `cols` attributes, respectively. The **`row`** attribute specifies the number of text lines that must be visible in the text box. The **`cols`** attribute specifies the number of characters that must be visible in a single line - the default value is `20`. Both of these dimensions can also be set using CSS. Even if the `rows` and `cols` attributes are specified, the user can expand the text box by dragging the symbol in the bottom left corner. The `name` field is usually supplied when the data of the text box is to be submitted as part of a `<form>`.

# Example usage of the `<textarea>` tag
The following code provides an example:

<textarea id="aboutMe" name="aboutMe" rows="2" cols="25">
I am a content writer at Educative Inc.
</textarea>

codemirror

In the example above, the `cols` attribute for the `<textarea>` tag is set to `25`; therefore, the visible characters in the first line are `I am a content writer at `. The `rows` attribute is set to `2`, so there are only 2 visible rows in the text box.

# Attributes
|Attribute|Value|Description|
|---------|-----|-----------|
|`autofocus`|autofocus|If set, the text area is automatically focused when the page loads.|
|`cols`|number|Specifies the number of characters that must be visible in a single line.|
|`dirname`|textareaname.dir||
|`disabled`|disabled|If set, the text area is disabled.|
|`form`|form_id|Links the text with the specified `form`.|
|`maxlength`|number|Restricts the number of characters that can be input in the text area.|
|`name`|text|Sets the name for the text area.|
|`placeholder`|text|The text is shown as a hint in the text area when there is no text data in it.|
|`readonly`|readonly|If set, the text area is read-only.|
|`required`|required|If set, the text area becomes a required field of the form.|
|`rows`|number|Specifies the number of visible lines of the text area.|
|`wrap`|hard</br>soft|Specifies the wrapping of the text area when it is to be submitted in a form.|

What is the <textarea> tag in HTML?

The `<textarea>` tag in HTML defines a multi-line text box for user input, with customizable rows, cols, and other attributes.

Attribute	Value	Description
`autofocus`	autofocus	If set, the text area is automatically focused when the page loads.
`cols`	number	Specifies the number of characters that must be visible in a single line.
`dirname`	textareaname.dir
`disabled`	disabled	If set, the text area is disabled.
`form`	form_id	Links the text with the specified `form`.
`maxlength`	number	Restricts the number of characters that can be input in the text area.
`name`	text	Sets the name for the text area.
`placeholder`	text	The text is shown as a hint in the text area when there is no text data in it.
`readonly`	readonly	If set, the text area is read-only.
`required`	required	If set, the text area becomes a required field of the form.
`rows`	number	Specifies the number of visible lines of the text area.
`wrap`	hard soft	Specifies the wrapping of the text area when it is to be submitted in a form.

What is the <textarea> tag in HTML?

The <textarea> tag in HTML

Example usage of the <textarea> tag

Attributes

The `<textarea>` tag in HTML

Example usage of the `<textarea>` tag