HTML selected Attribute

Last Updated : 4 Aug, 2026

The selected attribute in HTML is used to specify which option should be by default selected when the page loads. This is a boolean attribute. The option that has the selected attribute will be displayed by default.

Syntax

<option selected>value</option>

Note: This attribute can be used only on <option> element.

Example: Below HTML program to illustrate selected Attribute 

html 
<!--Driver Code Starts-->
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>

<head>
    <title>HTML selected Attribute</title>
</head>

<body style="text-align: center;">
    <h1 style="color: green;">GeeksforGeeks</h1>
    <h2>HTML selected Attribute</h2>
<!--Driver Code Ends-->

    <select>
        <option value="merge">Merge Sort</option>
        <option value="bubble">Bubble Sort</option>
        <option value="insertion">Insertion Sort</option>
        <option value="quick" selected>Quick Sort</option>
    </select>

<!--Driver Code Starts-->
</body>

</html>
<!--Driver Code Ends-->
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