How to get equal width of input and select fields

luk4443 picture luk4443 · Nov 1, 2010 · Viewed 110.8k times · Source

On the form, I have one select and two input fields. These elements are vertically aligned. Unfortunately, I can't get equal width of these elements.

Here's my code:

<select name="name1" style="width:198px">
  <option>value1</option>
  <option>value2</option>
</select><br/>
<input type="text" name="id1" style="width:193px"><br/>
<input type="text" name="id2" style="width:193px">

For above example, the best width for select element is 198 or 199 px (of course I tried 193px, but the difference is major). I think, it depends on resolution, on various computers and browsers since these elements don't have equal widths (sometimes I thinks difference is about 1 or 2 px). I've tried to set these elements in div or table rows, but it doesn't help.

Q: How could I get precisely equal width of these elements?

Answer

Gabriele Petrioli picture Gabriele Petrioli · Nov 2, 2010

Updated answer

Here is how to change the box model used by the input/textarea/select elements so that they all behave the same way. You need to use the box-sizing property which is implemented with a prefix for each browser

-ms-box-sizing:content-box;
-moz-box-sizing:content-box;
-webkit-box-sizing:content-box; 
box-sizing:content-box;

This means that the 2px difference we mentioned earlier does not exist..

example at http://www.jsfiddle.net/gaby/WaxTS/5/

note: On IE it works from version 8 and upwards..


Original

if you reset their borders then the select element will always be 2 pixels less than the input elements..

example: http://www.jsfiddle.net/gaby/WaxTS/2/