What does <select> do?

HTMLJunior~2 min read

The <select> element creates a dropdown list (a selection menu) in an HTML form. It is used when the user needs to pick one or several options from a predefined set.

1. Basic example

html

<form action="/submit">
  <label for="city">Choose a city:</label>
  <select id="city" name="city">
    <option value="kyiv">Kyiv</option>
    <option value="lviv">Lviv</option>
    <option value="warsaw">Warsaw</option>
  </select>
  <button type="submit">Submit</button>
</form>

What happens here:

<select> is the container for the list of options,
<option> is a single choice,
on form submission, the value attribute of the chosen option is sent.

Submission example:

javascript

city=lviv

2. Main tags and attributes

Use it if:

the user must pick one option from a list (for example, a city, country or category);
the number of options is limited and known in advance;
you need a compact UI element that saves space.

Do not use <select> if there are dozens or hundreds of options (autocomplete / search fits better).

Summary:

Property	Description
Tag	`<select>`
Nested tags	`<option>`, `<optgroup>`
Purpose	Dropdown list for choosing one or several values
Sending data	Via the `name` attribute and the chosen `value`
Commonly used attributes	`multiple`, `required`, `disabled`, `size`, `selected`

In simple terms: <select> is a dropdown menu where the user chooses an option from a list. If <input> is "entry", then <select> is "choice".

Short Answer

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What does <select> do?

#1. Basic example

#2. Main tags and attributes

#Summary:

Short Answer

1. Basic example

2. Main tags and attributes

Summary: