Have you ever started typing into a form and had your browser suggest a saved value? HTML can help the browser decide which value belongs in which field. The autocomplete token fax is used for describes a fax number.
What fax tells the browser
Describes a fax number.
This is a hint, not an instruction to fill a value automatically. Browsers and password managers consider settings, saved data, permissions and other signals before offering suggestions.
Important: fax is a context or contact-type hint. It is not a complete autofill field name on its own. Combine it with an appropriate field token in the right order, as shown below.
Example form field
<form action="/example" method="post">
<label for="contact-number">Fax number</label>
<input id="contact-number" name="phone" type="tel" autocomplete="fax tel">
<button type="submit">Continue</button>
</form>Understanding the example
Notice autocomplete="fax tel". The first word describes the kind of address or contact; the final word identifies the actual field. Without that field name, browsers may ignore the hint.
Fax is a contact hint combined with a telephone token; rarely needed today.
A correct token improves convenience but does not prove that the value is accurate. Keep accessible labels and appropriate server-side validation.
Try it yourself
Save the example as an HTML file, and test the field with browser autofill enabled. Inspect the autocomplete value and compare it with the field label. Browser behavior depends on available saved information, so a missing suggestion is not necessarily an HTML mistake.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Fax is a contact hint combined with a telephone token; rarely needed today.
- Leaving out the visible label because the browser might autofill the field.
- Treating autofill suggestions as verified or safe data.
Key Takeaways
faxdescribes describes a fax number.- Fax is a contact hint combined with a telephone token; rarely needed today.
- Autocomplete helps users; it does not replace labeling, accessibility or validation.