The HTML <button> type attribute
Quick answer
The HTML type attribute sets what the button does when activated. It is used on the <button> element.
Overview
The type attribute sets what the button does when activated. It applies to the <button> element.
Always set it explicitly: a <button> inside a form defaults to submit, which often causes accidental submissions. Use type="button" for buttons that run JavaScript.
Syntax
<button type="button">Click</button>Values
| Value |
|---|
| submit (default in a form) | reset | button |
Example
<button type="button" onclick="this.textContent='Clicked'">Click me</button>Best practices
- Always set an explicit type on a <button>. The default inside a form is
submit. - Use the
form*override attributes only when one button genuinely needs different submission behavior. - Give every button clear, descriptive text for screen readers.
- Prefer real <button> elements over clickable <div>s for keyboard and accessibility support.
Frequently asked questions
What does the type attribute do?
Sets a button's behavior.
Why does my button submit the form unexpectedly?
Can one button submit to a different URL than the form?
Yes. Put
formaction (and optionally formmethod) on that submit button to override the form.Which elements use the type attribute?
It is an element-specific attribute, used on the <button> element.