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Html5 placeholder css padding

html
responsive-design
best-practices
css-selectors
Alex KataevbyAlex Kataev·Oct 8, 2024
TLDR

You can control placeholder text padding with CSS's ::placeholder selector like this:

input::placeholder { padding: 0 10px; /* Horizontal padding */ }

The 10px value isn't a universal fix, so adjust this to your needs. The goal is to increase the placeholder's visibility and match your site's style.

Rules of the game: Cross-Browser Placeholder Styling

Okay, WebKit, Gecko, and IE, it's time for you to play nicely. Each browser has its own way of dealing with paddings and styles. For WebKit-based browsers, try input::-webkit-input-placeholder, for Firefox older than 19 go for input:-moz-placeholder, and for newer versions, use input::-moz-placeholder.

Internet Explorer 10+? No problem, input:-ms-input-placeholder has got you covered. Just remember, keeping your placeholders consistent across all platforms requires understanding these browser-specific differences.

jQuery plugins: Handle with Care

Sure, jQuery plugins provide convenient workarounds, but they also arbitrarily increase your page's weight. For that summer beach body website, stick with CSS selectors and style placeholders directly.

Ready, Set, Frameworks!

For precision control, Angular Material and Bootstrap offer the perfect fit. They include out-of-the-box classes and consistent placeholder styling. Plus, they handle browser-specific cases for you to ensure your site looks good on all platforms.

Who moved my text? Addressing Misalignment with Text-indent

Sometimes, your placeholder plays hide-and-seek, especially in Chrome on OSX. But we've got a secret weapon, text-indent:

input::placeholder { text-indent: 10px; /* This is the best thing since sliced bread. */ }

This can help you align your placeholder text correctly, but remember, this isn't a magic number. Your mileage may vary, so tinker till you get it just right.

Desperate Times Call for Non-Breaking Space

Picture this. You're cornered. The clock's ticking. None of the solutions worked, and your placeholder still doesn't have the right padding. What do you do? You pull out the ultimate weapon:  .

<input placeholder="&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Example Text">

Just remember, with great power comes great responsibility. This method is an emergency brake, and may introduce accessibility issues and unpredictable behavior.

The Curious Case of Placeholder Misalignment in Chrome on OSX

Yes, this peculiar issue keeps popping up in Chrome on OSX. The root cause is still shrouded in mystery, proving the issue is browser-specific rather than a universal stylyng dilemma. Unraveling this mystery will require dedication, coffee, and frequent visits to developer forums.