Summary

The :disabled CSS pseudo-class represents any disabled element. An element is disabled if it can't be activated (e.g. selected, clicked on or accept text input) or accept focus. The element also has an enabled state, in which it can be activated or accept focus.

Examples

Example selectors

input:disabled
Selects all disabled inputs
select.country:disabled
Targets a select element with class country that is disabled

Usage example

The following CSS:

input[type="text"]:disabled { background: #ccc; }

Applied to this HTML5 fragment:

<form action="#">
  <fieldset>
    <legend>Shipping address</legend>
    <input type="text" placeholder="Name">
    <input type="text" placeholder="Address">
    <input type="text" placeholder="Zip Code">
  </fieldset>
  <fieldset id="billing">
    <legend>Billing address</legend>
    <label for="billing_is_shipping">Same as shipping address:</label>
    <input type="checkbox" onchange="javascript:toggleBilling()" checked>
    <br />
    <input type="text" placeholder="Name" disabled>
    <input type="text" placeholder="Address" disabled>
    <input type="text" placeholder="Zip Code" disabled>
  </fieldset>
</form>

With a little javascript:

function toggleBilling() {
  var billingItems = document.querySelectorAll('#billing input[type="text"]');
  for (var i = 0; i < billingItems.length; i++) {
    billingItems[i].disabled = !billingItems[i].disabled;
  }
}

Will result in all disabled text elements in the billing fieldset having a light grey background.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
WHATWG HTML Living Standard
The definition of ':disabled' in that specification.
Living Standard No change
HTML5
The definition of ':disabled' in that specification.
Recommendation Defines the semantic regarding HTML and forms.
Selectors Level 4
The definition of ':disabled' in that specification.
Working Draft No change
CSS Basic User Interface Module Level 3
The definition of ':disabled' in that specification.
Candidate Recommendation Reference to Selectors Level 3
Selectors Level 3
The definition of ':disabled' in that specification.
Recommendation Defines the pseudo-class, but not the associated semantic.

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support 1.0 1.0 (1.7 or earlier) 9.0 9.0 3.1
Feature Android Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support 2.1 1.0 (1) 9.0 9.5 3.1

See also

Document Tags and Contributors

 Last updated by: Sebastianz,