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HTML <option> selected Attribute

❮ HTML <option> tag

Example

A drop-down list with a pre-selected option:

<select>
  <option value="volvo">Volvo</option>
  <option value="saab">Saab</option>
  <option value="vw">VW</option>
  <option value="audi" selected>Audi</option>
</select>
Try it Yourself »

Definition and Usage

The selected attribute is a boolean attribute.

When present, it specifies that an option should be pre-selected when the page loads.

The pre-selected option will be displayed first in the drop-down list.

Tip: The selected attribute can also be set after the page loads, with a JavaScript.


Browser Support

Attribute
selected Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Differences Between HTML 4.01 and HTML5

NONE.


Differences Between HTML and XHTML

In XHTML, attribute minimization is forbidden, and the selected attribute must be defined as <option selected="selected">.


Syntax

<option selected>

❮ HTML <option> tag