How Much Text Can You be Assured Will Fit In an <input>?

How much text would a textchuck chuck if a textchuck could chuck text?

[cmarshall]

I was asked a very interesting question by someone recently, and I've nary a clue.

What is the maximum amount of text that can be put into the value property of a <input type="hidden" /> XHTML element?

This chap wants to try cramming the contents of a <textarea> into a hidden form field (don't ask me why, but he usually has a good reason for it).

Any ideas?

[encyclo]

[w3.org...]

maxlength

= number [CN]
When the type attribute has the value "text" or "password", this attribute specifies the maximum number of characters the user may enter. This number may exceed the specified size, in which case the user agent should offer a scrolling mechanism. The default value for this attribute is an unlimited number.

So the specification allows for unlimited data in an

input

. Not that necessarily helps much in determining a browser's ability to handle "unlimited" quantities of data. ;)

[daveVk]

I run a test on this some time ago, megabytes ( dont recall number ) Ok at least on IE.

[cmarshall]

Thanks for the quick responses!

I'll point him here.

[vincevincevince]

As I recall, the GET limit is much lower - so ensure he is sending by POST if he's going for really long strings.