spellcheck
The spellcheck attribute enables or disables the browser's built-in spelling assistance for editable content. It helps align spelling behavior with the type of content being entered.
Overview
The spellcheck attribute enables or disables the browser's built-in spelling assistance for editable content. It helps align spelling behavior with the type of content being entered.
Browser support
| Feature | Desktop | Mobile | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrome | Edge | Firefox | Safari | Chrome Android | Safari iOS | |
| 9 | 12 | 2 | 5.1 | 47 | 9.3 | |
| DOM API | ||||||
| The spellcheck property of the HTMLElement interface represents a boolean value that controls the spell-checking hint. It is available on all HTML elements, though it doesn't affect all of them. | 9 | 12 | 2 | 5.1 | 18 | 5 |
- This browser only partially implements this feature
- This feature was removed in a later browser version (47)
- Only supported on `<textarea>`.
- This feature was removed in a later browser version (9.3)
- Only supported on `<textarea>`.
Syntax
<!-- enable spellcheck --> <textarea spellcheck="true">Enter text...</textarea> <!-- disable spellcheck for code input --> <input type="text" spellcheck="false" placeholder="enter code">Live demo
Prose versus codes
Enable spellcheck for natural language and disable it for identifiers or part numbers.
Editable surfaces
Compare spellcheck behavior in contenteditable regions with different purposes.
Form guidance card
Document when turning spellcheck off improves the input experience.
Use cases
Message fields
Keep spellcheck on for comments, emails, and other prose-heavy input where correction suggestions help users type faster.
Code-like input
Turn spellcheck off for usernames, product codes, or snippets where dictionary suggestions create noise.
Cautions
- Spellcheck quality varies by language and browser, so do not treat it as a validation system.
- Turning it off globally can remove helpful support from users who benefit from writing assistance.
Accessibility
- Spellcheck can be a meaningful writing aid for many users with dyslexia or cognitive load concerns.
- If you disable it, make sure the field type genuinely benefits from fewer automatic suggestions.
Related links
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