Best way to restrict a text field to numbers only?

I'm using the following Javascript to restrict a text field on my website to only accept numerical input, and no other letters or characters. The problem is, it REALLY rejects all other key inputs, like ctrl-A to select the text, or even any other browser functions like ctrl-T or ctrl-W while the text box is selected. Does anyone know of a better script to only allow numerical input, but not block normal commands (that aren't being directly input into the field)? Thanks Here is the code I'm using now:

function numbersonly(e, decimal) 
{
    var key;
    var keychar;

    if (window.event) 
        key = window.event.keyCode;
    else if (e) 
        key = e.which;
    else 
        return true;

    keychar = String.fromCharCode(key);

    if ((key==null) || (key==0) || (key==8) ||  (key==9) || (key==13) || (key==27))
       return true;     
    else if ((("0123456789").indexOf(keychar) > -1))
       return true;
    else if (decimal && (keychar == "."))
       return true;        
    else
       return false;
}

Edit: None of the solutions provided have solved my problem of allowing commands like ctrl-A while the text box is selected. That was the whole point of my asking here, so I have gone back to using my original script. Oh well.

Asked By: RobHardgood
||

Answer #1:

This is something I made another time for just numbers, it will allow all the formatters as well.

jQuery

$('input').keypress(function(e) {
    var a = [];
    var k = e.which;

    for (i = 48; i < 58; i++)
        a.push(i);

    if (!(a.indexOf(k)>=0))
        e.preventDefault();
});​

Try it

http://jsfiddle.net/zpg8k/

As a note, you'll want to filter on submit/server side as well, for sake of pasting/context menu and browsers that don't support the paste event.

Edit to elaborate on multiple methods

I see you're bouncing around the 'accepted' answer, so I'll clear something up. You can really use any of the methods listed here, they all work. What I'd personally do is use mine for live client side filtering, and then on submit and server side use RegEx as suggested by others. However, no client side by itself will be 100% effective as there is nothing stopping me from putting document.getElementById('theInput').value = 'Hey, letters.'; in the console and bypassing any clientside verification (except for polling, but I could just cancel the setInterval from the console as well). Use whichever client side solution you like, but be sure you implement something on submit and server side as well.

Edit 2 - @Tim Down

Alright, per the comments I had to adjust two things I didn't think of. First, keypress instead of keydown, which has been updated, but the lack of indexOf in IE (seriously Microsoft!?) breaks the example above as well. Here's an alternative

$('input').keypress(function(e) {
    var a = [];
    var k = e.which;

    for (i = 48; i < 58; i++)
        a.push(i);

    if (!($.inArray(k,a)>=0))
        e.preventDefault();
});​

New jsfiddle: http://jsfiddle.net/umNuB/

Answered By: Robert

Answer #2:

This works in IE, Chrome AND Firefox:

<input type="text" onkeypress="return event.charCode === 0 || /d/.test(String.fromCharCode(event.charCode));" />
Answered By: Hamund

Answer #3:

     .keypress(function(e)
               {
                 var key_codes = [48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 0, 8];

                 if (!($.inArray(e.which, key_codes) >= 0)) {
                   e.preventDefault();
                 }
               });

You need Backspace and Delete keys too ;)

Answered By: ialpert

Answer #4:

http://jsfiddle.net/PgHFp/

<html>
<head>
<title>Test</title>
<script language="javascript">
function checkInput(ob) {
  var invalidChars = /[^0-9]/gi
  if(invalidChars.test(ob.value)) {
            ob.value = ob.value.replace(invalidChars,"");
      }
}
</script>
</head>

<body>
    <input type="text" onkeyup="checkInput(this)"/>
</body>
</html>
Answered By: dogbane

Answer #5:

Just use regex to get rid of any non number characters whenever a key is pressed or the textbox loses focus.

var numInput;
window.onload = function () {   
    numInput = document.getElementById('numonly');
    numInput.onkeydown = numInput.onblur = numInput.onkeyup = function()
    {
        numInput.value = numInput.value.replace(/[^0-9]+/,"");
    }
}
Answered By: Randy the Dev

Answer #6:

I use this:

    oEl.keypress(function(ev)
    {
        var sKey = String.fromCharCode(ev.which);
        if (!sKey.match(/[0-9]/) || !sKey === "") 
            ev.preventDefault();            
    });

The advantage is, that every key which does not provide an input to the field is still allowed, so you don't have to worry about every single special key. Even combos like CTRL + R do still work.

EDIT As this is not working in Firefox I had to modify the function a little:

    oEl.keypress(function(ev)
    {
        var iKeyCode = ev.which || ev.keyCode;
        var aSpecialKeysForFirefox = [8, 9, 13, 27, 37, 38, 39, 40, 46];
        var sKey = String.fromCharCode(iKeyCode);
        if (sKey !== "" && $.inArray(iKeyCode, aSpecialKeysForFirefox ) < 0 && !sKey.match(/[0-9]/)) {
            ev.preventDefault();
        }
    });

Explanation All Browsers handle jquerys keypress event differently. To make it work in FF the $.inArray check is added. As firefoxs keypress-event doesn't trigger when combinations like strg+tab are used, but the others do, the key.match approach still adds a little value to the latter, as it enables those combinations.

Answered By: hugo der hungrige

Answer #7:

The only event that contains information about the character typed is keypress. Anything character-related you may infer from the keyCode property of keydown or keyup events is unreliable and dependent on a particular keyboard mapping. The following will prevent non-numeric keyboard input all major browsers by using the character obtained from the keypress event. It won't prevent the user from pasting or dragging non-numeric text in.

var input = document.getElementById("your_input");

input.onkeypress = function(evt) {
    evt = evt || window.event;
    if (!evt.ctrlKey && !evt.metaKey && !evt.altKey) {
        var charCode = (typeof evt.which == "undefined") ? evt.keyCode : evt.which;
        if (charCode && !/d/.test(String.fromCharCode(charCode))) {
            return false;
        }
    }
};
Answered By: Tim Down

Answer #8:

Maybe you are using bootstrap. If so, this may suffice:

<input type="text" data-mask="9999999"> 

Input mask

Answered By: nicooga

Answer #9:

The following code is something I use extensively. I found the script in a forum, but modified and expanded it to accommodate my needs:

<script type="text/javascript">
    // Restrict user input in a text field
    // create as many regular expressions here as you need:
    var digitsOnly = /[1234567890]/g;
    var integerOnly = /[0-9.]/g;
    var alphaOnly = /[A-Za-z]/g;
    var usernameOnly = /[0-9A-Za-z._-]/g;

    function restrictInput(myfield, e, restrictionType, checkdot){
        if (!e) var e = window.event
        if (e.keyCode) code = e.keyCode;
        else if (e.which) code = e.which;
        var character = String.fromCharCode(code);

        // if user pressed esc... remove focus from field...
        if (code==27) { this.blur(); return false; }

        // ignore if the user presses other keys
        // strange because code: 39 is the down key AND ' key...
        // and DEL also equals .
        if (!e.ctrlKey && code!=9 && code!=8 && code!=36 && code!=37 && code!=38 && (code!=39 || (code==39 && character=="'")) && code!=40) {
            if (character.match(restrictionType)) {
                if(checkdot == "checkdot"){
                    return !isNaN(myfield.value.toString() + character);
                } else {
                    return true;
                }
            } else {
                return false;
            }
        }
    }
</script>

Different usage methods would be:

<!-- To accept only alphabets -->
<input type="text" onkeypress="return restrictInput(this, event, alphaOnly);">
<!-- To accept only numbers without dot -->
<input type="text" onkeypress="return restrictInput(this, event, digitsOnly);">
<!-- To accept only numbers and dot -->
<input type="text" onkeypress="return restrictInput(this, event, integerOnly);">
<!-- To accept only numbers and only one dot -->
<input type="text" onkeypress="return restrictInput(this, event, integerOnly, 'checkdot');">
<!-- To accept only characters for a username field -->
<input type="text" onkeypress="return restrictInput(this, event, usernameOnly);">
Answered By: Nirmal

Answer #10:

Add <script type="text/javascript" src="jquery.numeric.js"></script> then use

 $("element").numeric({ decimal: false, negative: false });
Answered By: IlludiumPu36

Answer #11:

shorter way and easy to understand:

$('#someID').keypress(function(e) { 
    var k = e.which;
    if (k <= 48 || k >= 58) {e.preventDefault()};
});
Answered By: ZAJDAN

Answer #12:

This is a variation on Robert's answer that allows a single decimal point to be entered. If a decimal point has already been entered, only numbers are accepted as input.

JSFiddle - decimal number input

// Allow only decimal number input

$('#decimalInput').keypress(function (e) {
    var a = [];
    var k = e.which;

    for (i = 48; i < 58; i++)
    a.push(i);

    // allow a max of 1 decimal point to be entered
    if (this.value.indexOf(".") === -1) {
        a.push(46);
    }

    if (!(a.indexOf(k) >= 0)) e.preventDefault();

    $('span').text('KeyCode: ' + k);
});
Answered By: Jon Crowell

Answer #13:

I know that there are already many answers but for the sake of simplicity i would like to add another answer which is simple and self explanatory in which we do not have to remember keycodes and it also works across all browsers.

document.getElementById('myinput').onkeydown = function(e)
 {
     console.log(e.key);
     //console.log(e.target.value);
     switch (e.key)
     {
         case "1":
         case "2":
         case "3":
         case "4":
         case "5":
         case "6":
         case "7":
         case "8":
         case "9":
         case "0":
         case "Backspace":
             return true;
             break;

         case ".":
             if (e.target.value.indexOf(".") == -1)
             {
                 return true;
             }
             else
             {
                 return false;
             }
             break;

         default:
             return false;
     }

 }
<input type="text" placeholder="Enter Value" id="myinput" />

Answered By: vibs2006

Answer #14:

It's worth pointing out that no matter how tightly you manage to control this via the front end (Javascript, HTML, etc), you still need to validate it at the server, because there's nothing to stop a user from turning off javascript, or even deliberately posting junk to your form to try to hack you.

My advice: Use the HTML5 markup so that browsers which support it will use it. Also use the JQuery option previously suggested (the inital solution may have flaws, but it seems like the comments have been working through that). And then do server-side validation as well.

Answered By: Spudley

Answer #15:

this will enable the numpad inputs also.

.keydown(function(event){                                     
    if(event.keyCode == 8 || event.keyCode == 46)             
        return true;                                         
    if(event.keyCode >= 96 && event.keyCode <= 105)           
        return true;                                          
    if(isNaN(parseInt(String.fromCharCode(event.keyCode),10)))
       return false;                                          
}); 
Answered By: Yunus Eren Güzel

Answer #16:

In order to block anything but numbers from being input into a text field but still allowing for other buttons to work (such as delete, shift, tab, etc.) look at a reference of the Javascript key codes; anything from 65 on up (to 222) can be blocked.

Using Jquery and Javascript, that would look like:

$('#textFieldId').keydown(function(event) {
    if ( event.keyCode > 64 ) {
        event.preventDefault();
    }
});

The key codes will be the same in Javascript whether or not Jquery is used.

Answered By: Asher Garland

Answer #17:

Here is my solution: a combination of the working ones below.

var checkInput = function(e) {
        if (!e) {
            e = window.event;
        }

        var code = e.keyCode || e.which;

        if (!e.ctrlKey) {

            //46, 8, 9, 27, 13 = backspace, delete, tab, escape, and enter
            if (code == 8 || code == 13 || code == 9 || code == 27 || code == 46)
                return true;
            //35..39 - home, end, left, right
            if (code >= 35 && code <= 39)
                return true;
            //numpad numbers
            if (code >= 96 && code <= 105)
                return true;
            //keyboard numbers
            if (isNaN(parseInt(String.fromCharCode(code), 10))) {
                e.preventDefault();
                return false;
            }
        }
        return true;
    };
Answered By: Uygar

Answer #18:

I came across your question while trying to figure this out myself. Here is the solution that I came up with.

// Prevent user from entering non-numeric characters in number boxes.
(function (inputs) {
    var input;
    var f = function (e) {
        var unicodeRe = /U+(d+)/;
        // Chrome doesn't support the standard key property, so use keyIdentifier instead.
        // Instead of the actual character that "key" returns, keyIdentifier returns
        // A string such as "U+004F" representing the unicode character.

        // For special characters (e.g., "Shift", a string containing the name of the key is returned.)
        var ch = e.key || e.keyIdentifier;
        var match = ch.match(unicodeRe);
        // keyIdentifier returns a unicode. Convert to string.
        if (match) {
            ch = String.fromCharCode(Number.parseInt(match[1], 16));
        }
        console.log(ch);
        if (ch.length === 1 && /[^0-9]/.test(ch)) {
            if (!/[]/.test(ch)) { // Don't prevent backspace.
                e.preventDefault();
            }
        }
    };
    for (var i = 0, l = inputs.length; i < l; i += 1) {
        input = inputs[i];
        input.onkeydown = f;
    }
}(document.querySelectorAll("input[type=number],#routeFilterBox")));

Edit: I've discovered that my solution does not allow the user to enter numbers via the numpad in Chrome. The 0-9 keypad keys seem to be returning the character "`" for 0 and A-I for the rest of the number keys.

Answered By: Jeff Jacobson

Answer #19:

All of the answers are outdated, lengthy and will cause annoyance to your users. Most of them don’t even filter or allow pasted content.

Instead of filtering the input, do some validation before submitting the form and then also server-side.

HTML has validation included:

<input type="number" pattern="[0-9]+">

This also enables the number keyboard on mobile.

Answered By: fregante

Answer #20:

This is my plugin for that case:

 (function( $ ) {
    $.fn.numbers = function(options) {
      $(this).keypress(function(evt){
          var setting = $.extend( {
                'digits' : 8
              }, options);
          if($(this).val().length > (setting.digits - 1) && evt.which != 8){
              evt.preventDefault(); 
          }
          else{
              if(evt.which < 48 || evt.which > 57){
                if(evt.keyCode != 8){
                    evt.preventDefault();  
                }
              }
          }
      });
    };
  })( jQuery );

Use:

 $('#limin').numbers({digits:3});
 $('#limax').numbers();
Answered By: jortsc

Answer #21:

There is my current solution of numeric input, need to test in different browsers but seems to work

Support comma and period delimiter (czech native is comma), space and numpad/keyboard numbers input. Allow Ctrl+C Ctrl+A or Ctrl+X, arrow navigation and delete block Ctrl+V. React on escape key by blurring input.

Watch my Coffee script:

(($) ->
  $.fn.onlyNumbers = ->
    @each ->
      $(@).keydown (e) ->
        # get code of key
        code = if e.keyCode then e.keyCode else e.which

        return $(@).blur() if code is 27 # blur on escape
        return if code in [46, 8, 9, 13] # 46, 8, 9, 27, 13 = backspace, delete, tab, escape, and enter
        return if (e.ctrlKey or e.metaKey) and code in [65, 67, 88] # ctrl|command + [a, c, x]
        return if code in [96..105] # numpad numbers
        return if code in [48..57] # numbers on keyboard
        return if code in [35..39] # 35..39 - home, end, left, right
        return if code in [188, 190, 32] # comma, period, space
        return if code in [44] # comma, period,

        e.returnValue = false # IE hate you
        e.preventDefault();

      $(@).keypress (e) ->
        code = if e.keyCode then e.keyCode else e.which
        return if code in [44, 46, 32] # comma, period, space
        return if code in [48..57] # numbers on keyboard
        e.returnValue = false # IE hate you
        e.preventDefault();

) jQuery

You can get compiled Javascript here http://goo.gl/SbyhXN

Answered By: OzzyCzech

Answer #22:

My functions:

$('.input_integer_only').on('input', function(e) {
    $(this).val($(this).val().replace(/[^0-9]/g, ''));
});


$('.input_float_only').on('input', function(e) {
    var $var = $(this).val().replace(/[^0-9.]/g, '');
    var $aVar = $var.split('.');

    if($aVar.length > 2) {
        $var = $aVar[0] + '.' + $aVar[1];
    }

    $(this).val($var);
});
Answered By: Tin Nguyen

Answer #23:

You can make changes to accept the keycode for Ctrl keys: 17, 18, 19, 20. Then your code will be like:

function numbersonly(e, decimal) {
var key;
var keychar;

if (window.event) 
    key = window.event.keyCode;
else if (e) 
    key = e.which;
else 
    return true;

keychar = String.fromCharCode(key);

if ((key==null) || (key==0) || (key==8) ||  (key==9) || (key==13) || (key==27) || (key==17) || (key==18) || (key==19) || (key==20))
   return true;     
else if ((("0123456789").indexOf(keychar) > -1))
   return true;
else if (decimal && (keychar == "."))
   return true;        
else
   return false;
}
Answered By: Bruno Silva

Answer #24:

  document.getElementById('myinput').onkeydown = function(e) {
      if(!((e.keyCode > 95 && e.keyCode < 106)
      || (e.keyCode > 47 && e.keyCode < 58) 
      || e.keyCode == 8
      || e.keyCode == 9)) {
        return false;
      }
  }
Answered By: user3121518

Answer #25:

You can do like this to accept only Numbers in text Box,

 function onChange(event){
   var ckeckChars = /[^0-9]/gi;
   if(checkChars.test(event.target.value)) {
        event.target.value = event.target.value.replace(ckeckChars,"");
  }
Answered By: Venkatesh Somu

Answer #26:

This JavaScript function will be used to restrict alphabets and special characters in Textbox , only numbers, delete, arrow keys and backspace will be allowed. JavaScript Code Snippet - Allow Numbers in TextBox, Restrict Alphabets and Special Characters

Tested in IE & Chrome.

JavaScript function

<script type="text/javascript">
    /*code: 48-57 Numbers
      8  - Backspace,
      35 - home key, 36 - End key
      37-40: Arrow keys, 46 - Delete key*/
    function restrictAlphabets(e){
        var x=e.which||e.keycode;
        if((x>=48 && x<=57) || x==8 ||
            (x>=35 && x<=40)|| x==46)
            return true;
        else
            return false;
    }
</script>

HTML Source Code with JavaScript

<html>
    <head>
        <title>JavaScript - Allow only numbers in TextBox (Restrict Alphabets and Special Characters).</title>
        <script type="text/javascript">
            /*code: 48-57 Numbers
              8  - Backspace,
              35 - home key, 36 - End key
              37-40: Arrow keys, 46 - Delete key*/
            function restrictAlphabets(e){
                var x=e.which||e.keycode;
                if((x>=48 && x<=57) || x==8 ||
                    (x>=35 && x<=40)|| x==46)
                    return true;
                else
                    return false;
            }
        </script>
    </head>
<body style="text-align: center;">
    <h1>JavaScript - Allow only numbers in TextBox (Restrict Alphabets and Special Characters).</h1>
    <big>Enter numbers only: </big>
    <input type="text" onkeypress='return restrictAlphabets(event)'/>
</body>

</html>

Refrence

Answered By: Durgesh Pandey

Answer #27:

I am using below in Angular to restrict character

in HTML

For Number Only

<input
 type="text"
 id="score"
 (keypress) ="onInputChange($event,'[0-9]')"
 maxlength="3"
 class="form-control"> 

for Alphabets Only

<input
     type="text"
     id="state"
     (keypress) ="onInputChange($event,'[a-zA-Z]')"
     maxlength="3"
     class="form-control"> 

In TypeScript

 onInputChange(event: any, inpPattern:string): void {   
        var input = event.key; 
        if(input.match(inpPattern)==null){
         event.preventDefault();
        }
      }
Answered By: upog

Answer #28:

You can handle te event on html by introducing keypresshandler function

function keypresshandler(event)
{
     var charCode = event.keyCode;

     //You condition
     if (charCode == 58 ){

        event.preventDefault();

        return false;
     }        
} 
Answered By: Priyanthi

Answer #29:

Javascript is often used on the browser client side to perform simple tasks that would otherwise require a full postback to the server. Many of those simple tasks involve processing text or characters entered into a form element on a web page, and it is often necessary to know the javascript keycode associated with a character. Here is a reference.

Press a key in the text box below to see the corresponding Javascript key code.

        function restrictCharacters(evt) {

            evt = (evt) ? evt : window.event;
            var charCode = (evt.which) ? evt.which : evt.keyCode;
            if (((charCode >= '48') && (charCode <= '57')) || (charCode == '44')) {
                return true;
            }
            else {
                return false;
            }
        }
Enter Text:
<input type="text" id="number" onkeypress="return restrictCharacters(event);" />

Answered By: Mayur Narula
The answers/resolutions are collected from stackoverflow, are licensed under cc by-sa 2.5 , cc by-sa 3.0 and cc by-sa 4.0 .



# More Articles