Tutorials References Menu

Bootstrap CSS Forms Reference


Bootstrap's Default Settings

Individual form controls automatically receive some global styling with Bootstrap.

All textual <input>, <textarea>, and <select> elements with class="form-control" are set to width: 100%; by default.

Standard rules for all three form layouts:

  • Wrap labels and form controls in <div class="form-group"> (needed for optimum spacing)
  • Add class .form-control to all textual <input>, <textarea>, and <select> elements

The following example creates a simple Bootstrap form with two input fields, one checkbox, and a submit button:

Bootstrap Form Example

<form>
  <div class="form-group">
    <label for="email">Email address:</label>
    <input type="email" class="form-control" id="email">
  </div>
  <div class="form-group">
    <label for="pwd">Password:</label>
    <input type="password" class="form-control" id="pwd">
  </div>
  <div class="checkbox">
    <label><input type="checkbox"> Remember me</label>
  </div>
  <button type="submit" class="btn btn-default">Submit</button>
</form>
Try it Yourself »

Form Classes

Class Description Example
.form-inline Makes a <form> left-aligned with inline-block controls (This only applies to forms within viewports that are at least 768px wide) Try it
.form-horizontal Aligns labels and groups of form controls in a horizontal layout Try it
.form-control Used on input, textarea, and select elements to span the entire width of the page and make them responsive Try it
.form-control-feedback Form validation class Try it
.form-control-static Adds plain text next to a form label within a horizontal form Try it
.form-group Container for form input and label Try it

Input Classes

Class Description Example
.input-group Container to enhance an input by adding an icon, text or a button in front or behind it as a "help text" Try it
.input-group-lg Large input group Try it
.input-group-sm Small input group Try it
.input-group-addon Together with the .input-group class, this class makes it possible to add an icon or help text next to the input field Try it
.input-group-btn Together with the .input-group class, this class attaches a button next to an input. Often used as a search bar Try it
.input-lg Large input field Try it
.input-sm Small input field Try it