HTML · ATTRIBUTE
Last reviewed
The checked boolean attribute sets the initial state of a checkbox or radio: its presence means on, even with checked="false". Only currently checked, enabled controls with a name submit name=value. A checkbox without a value attribute submits "on".
What gets submitted
Fill in the form above and press its button. The demo stops the request and lists every name=value pair the browser would send, plus the controls it leaves out.
With a free access key in the form, these fields land in your splitforms dashboard; access_key and botcheck are read by splitforms, not stored as lead data.
Minimal snippet
<label><input type="checkbox" name="newsletter" value="yes" checked> Newsletter</label>
<fieldset>
<legend>Contact method</legend>
<label><input type="radio" name="contact" value="email" checked> Email</label>
<label><input type="radio" name="contact" value="phone"> Phone</label>
</fieldset>Copy-paste code
Replace YOUR_ACCESS_KEY with a key from your free splitforms dashboard. The form posts to one endpoint — submissions land in your inbox and dashboard with spam filtering built in.
<form action="https://splitforms.com/api/submit" method="POST">
<input type="hidden" name="access_key" value="YOUR_ACCESS_KEY">
<label for="email">Email</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email" required>
<label><input type="checkbox" name="newsletter" value="yes" checked> Subscribe to the newsletter</label>
<fieldset>
<legend>Preferred contact method</legend>
<label><input type="radio" name="contact" value="email" checked> Email</label>
<label><input type="radio" name="contact" value="phone"> Phone</label>
</fieldset>
<input type="checkbox" name="botcheck" style="display:none">
<button type="submit">Send preferences</button>
</form>Attributes · checked
The checked state, name and value determine the form data.
| Attribute | What it does | Docs |
|---|---|---|
checked | Sets the default checked state on a checkbox or radio. | MDN |
value | The value submitted when the control is checked; without it, the value is on. | MDN |
name | The submitted key; radios with the same name form a group. | MDN |
disabled | Excludes the control from submission, even when checked. | MDN |
Common mistakes
Distinguish the default state from the current state and submitted data.
Boolean attributes are true when present. Remove checked to make the default unchecked.
el.defaultChecked reflects the attribute; el.checked reads or sets the current state. After user interaction changes the state, setAttribute changes the default without necessarily changing the visible state. Form reset restores the default.
An unchecked checkbox or radio sends no pair. A checked control also needs a name and must not be disabled to submit.
Sources: WHATWG HTML Standard: checked · MDN: checked property
The HTML checked attribute example below is a complete, working form — paste it into any HTML page and it submits, no edits to the markup required.
Your html checked attribute form posts to one endpoint. No server, PHP, or API route — accepted submissions are saved to your dashboard before owner notification email is attempted; delivery time and inbox placement depend on provider and recipient settings.
Unlike a static reference snippet, this checked form actually sends data to a free splitforms backend, with spam filtering built in.
How it works
Copy the html checked attribute example, drop in your free access key, and paste it into any page — submissions start landing in your dashboard.
Copy the HTML checked attribute example below.
Replace YOUR_ACCESS_KEY with a free splitforms key from the dashboard.
Drop the form into any HTML page. Submissions arrive in your dashboard.
How SplitForms works
splitforms receives the submission, filters spam, saves it to your dashboard and emails you — then, on paid plans, sends it on to your webhooks and integrations. No backend infrastructure to build.
Point your form to your unique SplitForms endpoint. That's it.
We instantly capture and organize every submission in your inbox.
Send data to email, spreadsheets, CRMs, webhooks, and 7,000+ apps.
No credit card required. Set up in under 60 seconds.
Connect & automate
On paid plans, submissions can also go to Slack, Discord, Google Sheets, Notion, Airtable, Zapier or any signed webhook — and splitforms works on the platforms you build on, from WordPress and Shopify to Next.js. With Stripe connected, your forms can take payments too.
NewTake payments on your formsDeposits, bookings, order forms — submitters check out through Stripe and the money goes straight to your Stripe account. Included on every paid plan.See payment forms →Need time slots? Online booking →Questions
Add the `checked` attribute to the checkbox or to one radio in a same-named group. Remove the attribute for an unchecked default; `checked="false"` still counts as present.
The HTML `checked` attribute sets the default. CSS `:checked` matches the current checked state. The JavaScript property `el.checked` reads or changes that current state, while `el.defaultChecked` reflects the attribute.
Once interaction changes checkedness, the control's checkedness is dirty. Changing the attribute updates the default but does not overwrite the current state; set `el.checked` to change it directly.
Place `<input type="hidden" name="newsletter" value="no">` before a checkbox with the same name and value="yes". When checked, both pairs are submitted, so configure the server to handle duplicate names and select the intended value.
Each enabled, named checked checkbox sends its name and value, or "on" if value is missing. A radio group sends the selected enabled radio's pair; an unchecked control sends nothing.
Simple pricing
Free gives you 500 submissions for $0 — no card, no time limit. Pro is $5/month for 5,000 submissions a month, and Annual is $49/year for 15,000 a month with every Pro feature.
For side projects and indie devs.
Every paid feature, for agencies and growing products.
Every Pro feature with triple the volume — $0.27 per 1,000 at full use.
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