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How to change the font and font size of an HTML input tag?

html
responsive-design
css-selectors
web-fonts
Nikita BarsukovbyNikita Barsukov·Sep 6, 2024
TLDR

Swiftly modify the input tag's font. Assign the CSS font-family and font-size properties like so:

<input type="text" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">

It gives you an instant <input> styled with Arial font in 16px size.

Generalize styles: Use selectors

Avoid going inline all the time. Use CSS selectors:

/* ID selector */ #myStylishInput { font-family: 'Courier New', monospace; // Because who doesn't love typewriter aesthetic? font-size: 18px; }

Then just link it in HTML:

<input type="text" id="myStylishInput">

Take the command on a global scale, apply styles to all input tags using type attribute selector:

/* Attribute selector */ input[type=text] { font-family: 'Verdana', sans-serif; // For a modern, clean look font-size: 14px; }

Ditch defaults: Use web fonts

With CSS3, web fonts are your best friends. Fetch them from places like Google Fonts:

<link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Poppins:wght@400;700&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">

Then blow life into those dull inputs:

input { font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; // Because Helvetica is too mainstream font-size: 16px; }

Adapt and interact: Responsive and hover styles

Modern web cries for responsiveness. Use dynamic units to adapt to various device sizes:

input { font-size: calc(1vmin + 10px); // Size matters, especially with fonts }

Bring thrill to user interaction with hover effects:

input:hover { background-color: #f0f0f0; font-size: 22px; // Surprise! I got bigger on hover }

Patterns of good design and accessibility

Consistency is key to good design. ElementRefine your styles and keep accessibility in mind:

input { font-size: larger; /* More legible for users with low vision */ }

Also, the aria-label attributes are a great ally for screen readers:

<input type="text" aria-label="Username">

Striking a balance between style and function enhances user experience.

Mastering specific contexts

Change styles based on context. For short information fields, consider using smaller fonts:

input.shortInfo { font-family: 'Tahoma', sans-serif; // Compact and concise font-size: 12px; }

For important input fields or error messages, use distinct styles:

input.error { font-family: 'Impact', sans-serif; // Impactful font for an impactful message font-size: 14px; color: #FF0000; }