Syntax
<section inert>Temporarily inactive controls</section>
region.inert = false;Examples
Disabling an Entire Region with inert: working example
Save as an HTML file and open it in a browser. Expected result: The editor is initially noninteractive; Enable editor activates it and focuses the title.
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<title>Working example</title>
</head>
<body>
<button id="enable">Enable editor</button>
<section id="editor" inert>
<label>Title <input value="Draft"></label>
<button type="button">Save draft</button>
</section>
<script>
document.querySelector("#enable").addEventListener("click", () => {
document.querySelector("#editor").inert = false;
document.querySelector("#editor input").focus();
});
</script>
</body>
</html>- Expected result: The editor is initially noninteractive; Enable editor activates it and focuses the title.
- Unlike disabled on an individual input, inert affects the entire subtree.
- The enable button is outside the inert region so it remains usable.
Best practices
- Provide a visual explanation when a region is unavailable.
- Feature-detect inert if supporting older engines, and avoid hiding the only route to reactivation.
Browser compatibility
Support applies to the named feature, not every attribute or behaviour in this article. Versions refer to browsers, not operating systems.
inert
Desktop
- Chrome
- Supported
From 102 - Firefox
- Supported
From 112 - Safari
- Supported
From 15.5 - Edge
- Supported
From 102 - Opera
- Supported
From 88
Mobile
- Safari on iOS
- Supported
From 15.5 - Chrome for Android
- Supported
From 102 - Firefox for Android
- Supported
From 112 - Samsung Internet
- Supported
From 19.0
MDN BCD record for this feature · MDN reference
Support history and limitations
Chrome
- From 102
Firefox
- From 112
Safari
- From 15.5
Edge
- From 102
Opera
- From 88
Safari on iOS
- From 15.5
Chrome for Android
- From 102
Firefox for Android
- From 112
Samsung Internet
- From 19.0
HTMLElement.inert
Desktop
- Chrome
- Supported
From 102 - Firefox
- Supported
From 112 - Safari
- Supported
From 15.5 - Edge
- Supported
From 102 - Opera
- Supported
From 88
Mobile
- Safari on iOS
- Supported
From 15.5 - Chrome for Android
- Supported
From 102 - Firefox for Android
- Supported
From 112 - Samsung Internet
- Supported
From 19.0
MDN BCD record for this feature · MDN reference
Support history and limitations
Chrome
- From 102
Firefox
- From 112
Safari
- From 15.5
Edge
- From 102
Opera
- From 88
Safari on iOS
- From 15.5
Chrome for Android
- From 102
Firefox for Android
- From 112
Samsung Internet
- From 19.0
MDN BCD 8.1.5 · Dataset built 2026-10-08 · Mapping reviewed 2026-10-21. These dates are not individual browser-test or claim-verification dates. Unknown means the data does not establish support.