How to create: Responsive forms

Learn how to use CSS to create responsive forms.

How to create responsive forms

Step 1 - Add HTML:

Use the <form> element to handle input. You can learn more about it in our PHP tutorial.

Add input fields (with matching labels) and wrap each label and input with a <div> element to specify the width using CSS:

<div class="container">
  <form action="action_page.php">
    <div class="row">
      <div class="col-25">
        <label for="fname">First Name</label>
      </div>
      <div class="col-75">
        <input type="text" id="fname" name="firstname" placeholder="Your name..">
      </div>
    </div>
    <div class="row">
      <div class="col-25">
        <label for="lname">Last Name</label>
      </div>
      <div class="col-75">
        <input type="text" id="lname" name="lastname" placeholder="Your last name..">
      </div>
    </div>
    <div class="row">
      <div class="col-25">
        <label for="country">Country</label>
      </div>
      <div class="col-75">
        <select id="country" name="country">
          <option value="australia">Australia</option>
          <option value="canada">Canada</option>
          <option value="usa">USA</option>
        </select>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div class="row">
      <div class="col-25">
        <label for="subject">Subject</label>
      </div>
      <div class="col-75">
        <textarea id="subject" name="subject" placeholder="Write something.." style="height:200px"></textarea>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div class="row">
      <input type="submit" value="Submit">
    </div>
  </form>
</div>

Step 2 - Add CSS:

/* Set the style for input boxes, selection elements, and text areas */
input[type=text], select, textarea{
  width: 100%;
  padding: 12px;
  border: 1px solid #ccc;
  border-radius: 4px;
  box-sizing: border-box;
  resize: vertical;
}
/* Set the style of the label to display it next to the input box */
label {
  padding: 12px 12px 12px 0;
  display: inline-block;
}
/* Set the style of the submit button */
input[type=submit] {
  background-color: #04AA6D;
  color: white;
  padding: 12px 20px;
  border: none;
  border-radius: 4px;
  cursor: pointer;
  float: right;
}
/* Set the style of the container */
.container {
  border-radius: 5px;
  background-color: #f2f2f2;
  padding: 20px;
}
/* Label float column: 25% width */
.col-25 {
  float: left;
  width: 25%;
  margin-top: 6px;
}
/* Input float column: 75% width */
.col-75 {
  float: left;
  width: 75%;
  margin-top: 6px;
}
/* Clear float after columns */
.row:after {
  content: "";
  display: table;
  clear: both;
}
/* Responsive layout - When the screen width is less than 600px, stack the two columns instead of displaying them side by side */
@media screen and (max-width: 600px) {
  .col-25, .col-75, input[type=submit] {
    width: 100%;
    margin-top: 0;
  }
}

Try It Yourself

Related Pages

Tutorial:HTML Form

Tutorial:CSS Form