How can I set the default value for an HTML select element?
Matthew C.
—The Problem
The default value of a <select> element when a page first loads is the value of the first option element. In the code example below, the select element will have a default value of “milk”:
<select> <option value="milk">milk</option> <option value="sugar">sugar</option> <option value="eggs">eggs</option> </select>
How do you set a different default value?
The Solution
You can add the selected attribute to the option element that you want to make the initial default value:
<select> <option value="milk">milk</option> <option value="sugar" selected>sugar</option> <option value="eggs">eggs</option> </select>
If you want the default value to be an empty string, you can add an extra option element as the first option element and set its value to an empty string:
<select> <option disabled selected value="">Select an option</option> <option value="milk">milk</option> <option value="sugar">sugar</option> <option value="eggs">eggs</option> </select>
This is useful if you want the user to select a value for themselves and not just use the default value. Adding the disabled attribute to the first option makes the option unselectable. You can add form validation to require the user to select an option.
- Syntax.fmListen to the Syntax Podcast
- ResourcesWhat is Distributed Tracing
- Listen to the Syntax Podcast
![Syntax.fm logo]()
Tasty treats for web developers brought to you by Sentry. Get tips and tricks from Wes Bos and Scott Tolinski.
SEE EPISODES
Considered “not bad” by 4 million developers and more than 100,000 organizations worldwide, Sentry provides code-level observability to many of the world’s best-known companies like Disney, Peloton, Cloudflare, Eventbrite, Slack, Supercell, and Rockstar Games. Each month we process billions of exceptions from the most popular products on the internet.
A peek at your privacy
Here’s a quick look at how Sentry handles your personal information (PII).
×Who we collect PII from
We collect PII about people browsing our website, users of the Sentry service, prospective customers, and people who otherwise interact with us.
What if my PII is included in data sent to Sentry by a Sentry customer (e.g., someone using Sentry to monitor their app)? In this case you have to contact the Sentry customer (e.g., the maker of the app). We do not control the data that is sent to us through the Sentry service for the purposes of application monitoring.
Am I included?PII we may collect about you
- PII provided by you and related to your
- Account, profile, and login
- Requests and inquiries
- Purchases
- PII collected from your device and usage
- PII collected from third parties (e.g., social media)
How we use your PII
- To operate our site and service
- To protect and improve our site and service
- To provide customer care and support
- To communicate with you
- For other purposes (that we inform you of at collection)
Third parties who receive your PII
We may disclose your PII to the following type of recipients:
- Subsidiaries and other affiliates
- Service providers
- Partners (go-to-market, analytics)
- Third-party platforms (when you connect them to our service)
- Governmental authorities (where necessary)
- An actual or potential buyer
We use cookies (but not for advertising)
- We do not use advertising or targeting cookies
- We use necessary cookies to run and improve our site and service
- You can disable cookies but this can impact your use or access to certain parts of our site and service
Know your rights
You may have the following rights related to your PII:
- Access, correct, and update
- Object to or restrict processing
- Port over
- Opt-out of marketing
- Be forgotten by Sentry
- Withdraw your consent
- Complain about us
If you have any questions or concerns about your privacy at Sentry, please email us at [email protected].
If you are a California resident, see our Supplemental notice.