Component
Textarea With Counter
Textarea with a live character counter (current / maximum) derived from the real value.
- Component
- React
- TSX
- Tailwind CSS
- MIT
What it does
Capabilities
- Semantic HTML
- Native form control
- Native textarea
- Associated labels
- ARIA
- Aria-live counter
Preview
Live component
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devsnips.site/library/react/components/textareas/textarea-with-counter/ fluid · no fixed width 100%
Install
Add to your project
npx devsnips add React/Components/Textareas/textarea-with-counter React/Components/Textareas/textarea-with-counter import type { ChangeEvent, ReactNode, TextareaHTMLAttributes } from "react";
import { useId, useState } from "react";
function cx(...parts: Array<string | false | null | undefined>): string {
return parts.filter(Boolean).join(" ");
}
const TEXTAREA_BASE =
"w-full min-h-[80px] resize-y rounded-[var(--ds-radius-sm)] border bg-[var(--ds-color-input)] px-3 py-2 text-sm leading-5 text-[var(--ds-color-foreground)] shadow-none transition-colors duration-150 ease-out placeholder:text-[var(--ds-color-muted-foreground)] hover:bg-[var(--ds-color-input-hover,var(--ds-color-input))] focus:bg-[var(--ds-color-input-focus,var(--ds-color-input))] focus-visible:outline-2 focus-visible:outline-offset-2 focus-visible:outline-[var(--ds-color-focus-ring)] disabled:pointer-events-none disabled:bg-[var(--ds-color-muted)] disabled:text-[var(--ds-color-muted-foreground)] disabled:opacity-60 read-only:bg-[var(--ds-color-surface-subtle)] read-only:text-[var(--ds-color-muted-foreground)] motion-reduce:transition-none";
const TEXTAREA_BORDER =
"border-[var(--ds-color-border)] focus:border-[var(--ds-color-border-strong)]";
export interface TextareaWithCounterProps extends TextareaHTMLAttributes<HTMLTextAreaElement> {
/** Visible label — required. */
label: ReactNode;
/** Optional helper text rendered beside the counter. */
helperText?: ReactNode;
}
/**
* Textarea with a live character counter. The count is derived from the
* real value — the controlled `value` when provided, otherwise the
* uncontrolled text the user has typed — so it always reflects what is
* actually in the field. When `maxLength` is supplied the counter shows
* `current / maximum` and the native attribute enforces the limit; at the
* limit the count gains emphasis (weight + foreground color — no loud
* colors or animation). When no `maxLength` is supplied the counter shows
* a plain character count. The counter region is `aria-live` polite and
* linked with `aria-describedby`.
*/
export function TextareaWithCounter({
label,
helperText,
id,
className,
rows = 3,
value,
defaultValue = "",
onChange,
maxLength,
...props
}: TextareaWithCounterProps) {
const generatedId = useId();
const textareaId = id ?? `textarea-${generatedId}`;
const countId = `${textareaId}-count`;
const [internalValue, setInternalValue] = useState(String(defaultValue ?? ""));
const currentValue = value === undefined ? internalValue : String(value ?? "");
const atLimit = maxLength !== undefined && currentValue.length >= maxLength;
function handleChange(event: ChangeEvent<HTMLTextAreaElement>) {
if (value === undefined) setInternalValue(event.target.value);
onChange?.(event);
}
return (
<div className="w-full">
<label
htmlFor={textareaId}
className="mb-2 block text-[13px] font-medium leading-5 text-[var(--ds-color-foreground)]"
>
{label}
</label>
<textarea
id={textareaId}
rows={rows}
value={currentValue}
onChange={handleChange}
maxLength={maxLength}
aria-describedby={countId}
className={cx(TEXTAREA_BASE, TEXTAREA_BORDER, className)}
{...props}
/>
<div
id={countId}
aria-live="polite"
className="mt-2 flex items-baseline justify-between gap-3 text-xs leading-4 text-[var(--ds-color-muted-foreground)]"
>
<span>{helperText}</span>
<span className={cx("shrink-0", atLimit && "font-medium text-[var(--ds-color-foreground)]")}>
{currentValue.length}{maxLength !== undefined ? ` / ${maxLength}` : ""}
</span>
</div>
</div>
);
}
export default TextareaWithCounter; /* DevSnips React — JavaScript parity build.
* Same API, behavior, and classes as code.tsx; TypeScript types removed.
* Regenerated from code.tsx — edit code.tsx and re-run the generator.
*/
import { useId, useState } from "react";
function cx(...parts) {
return parts.filter(Boolean).join(" ");
}
const TEXTAREA_BASE = "w-full min-h-[80px] resize-y rounded-[var(--ds-radius-sm)] border bg-[var(--ds-color-input)] px-3 py-2 text-sm leading-5 text-[var(--ds-color-foreground)] shadow-none transition-colors duration-150 ease-out placeholder:text-[var(--ds-color-muted-foreground)] hover:bg-[var(--ds-color-input-hover,var(--ds-color-input))] focus:bg-[var(--ds-color-input-focus,var(--ds-color-input))] focus-visible:outline-2 focus-visible:outline-offset-2 focus-visible:outline-[var(--ds-color-focus-ring)] disabled:pointer-events-none disabled:bg-[var(--ds-color-muted)] disabled:text-[var(--ds-color-muted-foreground)] disabled:opacity-60 read-only:bg-[var(--ds-color-surface-subtle)] read-only:text-[var(--ds-color-muted-foreground)] motion-reduce:transition-none";
const TEXTAREA_BORDER = "border-[var(--ds-color-border)] focus:border-[var(--ds-color-border-strong)]";
export function TextareaWithCounter({
label,
helperText,
id,
className,
rows = 3,
value,
defaultValue = "",
onChange,
maxLength,
...props
}) {
const generatedId = useId();
const textareaId = id ?? `textarea-${generatedId}`;
const countId = `${textareaId}-count`;
const [internalValue, setInternalValue] = useState(String(defaultValue ?? ""));
const currentValue = value === undefined ? internalValue : String(value ?? "");
const atLimit = maxLength !== undefined && currentValue.length >= maxLength;
function handleChange(event) {
if (value === undefined) setInternalValue(event.target.value);
onChange?.(event);
}
return <div className="w-full">
<label
htmlFor={textareaId}
className="mb-2 block text-[13px] font-medium leading-5 text-[var(--ds-color-foreground)]"
>
{label}
</label>
<textarea
id={textareaId}
rows={rows}
value={currentValue}
onChange={handleChange}
maxLength={maxLength}
aria-describedby={countId}
className={cx(TEXTAREA_BASE, TEXTAREA_BORDER, className)}
{...props}
/>
<div
id={countId}
aria-live="polite"
className="mt-2 flex items-baseline justify-between gap-3 text-xs leading-4 text-[var(--ds-color-muted-foreground)]"
>
<span>{helperText}</span>
<span className={cx("shrink-0", atLimit && "font-medium text-[var(--ds-color-foreground)]")}>
{currentValue.length}{maxLength !== undefined ? ` / ${maxLength}` : ""}
</span>
</div>
</div>;
}
export default TextareaWithCounter; # Textarea With Counter
Textarea with a live character counter (current / maximum) derived from the real value.
## Usage
```tsx
<TextareaWithCounter label="Release notes" maxLength={280} helperText="Shown on the changelog page." rows={4} />
```
## JavaScript
A `code.jsx` build is provided for projects that ship plain JSX. It exposes the same API and behavior as `code.tsx` — only the TypeScript types are removed.
```jsx
<TextareaWithCounter label="Release notes" maxLength={280} helperText="Shown on the changelog page." rows={4} />
```
## Props
| Name | Type | Default | Description |
|---|---|---:|---|
| `label` | `ReactNode` (required) | — | Visible label above the control. |
| `value` / `defaultValue` | `string` | — | Controlled / uncontrolled value. |
| `onChange` | `(event) => void` | — | Native change callback. |
| `rows` | `number` | `3` | Visible rows — the natural height floor (with `min-h-[80px]`). |
| `placeholder` | `string` | — | Muted placeholder (never critical information). |
| `disabled` | `boolean` | — | Native disabled — not focusable, not submitted. |
| `readOnly` | `boolean` | — | Native read-only — focusable, selectable, submitted. |
| `required` / `name` / `id` | `boolean` / `string` | — | Native form semantics (`id` also the label `htmlFor`). |
| `minLength` / `maxLength` | `number` | — | Native length constraints. |
| `className` | `string` | — | Extra Tailwind classes merged onto the control. |
| other native props / `aria-*` | — | — | Passed through to the `<textarea>`. |
| `helperText` | `ReactNode` | — | Optional text beside the counter. |
## States
Native textarea with a live character counter under the field. The count is computed from the actual value (controlled `value` or tracked uncontrolled text) — it updates on every keystroke and is never faked. When `maxLength` is supplied the counter reads `current / maximum` and the native attribute enforces the limit; at the limit the count gains weight + foreground color as a quiet, non-color-only cue. Without `maxLength` the counter is a plain character count.
## Accessibility
The counter region is linked with `aria-describedby` and marked `aria-live="polite"`, so screen readers can read the count on demand and hear polite updates without focus theft. The at-limit cue is text weight + color together — not color alone. Native `maxLength` behavior (typing stops at the cap) is preserved.
## Styling
Built with React, Tailwind CSS, and DevSnips design tokens. The component consumes the `--ds-*` semantic tokens via arbitrary values (for example `bg-[var(--ds-color-input)]`). Define the tokens once in your theme — no component-specific CSS file is required.
## Design Tokens
See [React/DESIGN_TOKENS.md](../../../DESIGN_TOKENS.md) for the authoritative token specification. This textarea uses the semantic color, radius, spacing, and motion tokens.
## Notes
Use for bounded content: changelog entries, status updates, short bios. For long-form content where a limit would be hostile, drop `maxLength` and keep the plain count, or use the plain `textarea`. 88 lines UTF-8 · LF · Spaces: 2
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devsnips://components/textareas/textarea-with-counter I want to use this DevSnips resource in production: Page: https://devsnips.site/library/react/components/textareas/textarea-with-counter/ Install: npx devsnips add React/Components/Textareas/textarea-with-counter This is the Textarea With Counter — Textarea with a live character counter (current / maximum) derived from the real value. Use this DevSnips resource as the starting point for my project. Adapt it to my project's stack and conventions, fix any issues, and make it production-ready while preserving its intended design and behavior.
Paste into ChatGPT, Claude or your agent — it already carries the page URL and the exact install path.
Resource URI
devsnips://components/textareas/textarea-with-counter