HTML <option> selectedAttributes
Examples
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>
<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 »
Browser Support
All major browsers support the selected attribute.
Definition and Usage
The selected attribute is a boolean attribute.
The selected attribute specifies that the option is pre-selected when the page loads.
The pre-selected option is displayed at the top of the drop-down list.
Tip:You can also set the selected attribute through JavaScript after the page loads.
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 Other Extensions