HTML Helpers in ASP.NET MVC

What are HTML Helpers?

HTML Helpers are methods in ASP.NET MVC that help us generate HTML elements from Razor View.

They are used to create form elements like: Textbox, Label, Dropdown, Password, ActionLink, etc.

Simple Definition

HTML Helpers generate HTML code inside Razor View.

Why Use HTML Helpers?

• No need to write full HTML manually
• Works with Model Binding
• Automatically applies validation
• Clean and readable code

Types of HTML Helpers

1. Standard HTML Helpers (With Output)

These are built-in helper methods that generate basic HTML controls.

@Html.TextBox("name")

Output

@Html.Password("password")

Output

@Html.TextArea("message")

Output

@Html.CheckBox("isActive")

Output

@Html.RadioButton("gender", "Male")

Output

@Html.DropDownList("countries",new SelectList(new[] { "USA", "India", "UK" }))

  USA
  India
  UK

@Html.Hidden("userId", 101)

Output

2. Strongly Typed HTML Helpers (With Output)

These helpers work with model properties.

@Html.TextBoxFor(m => m.Name)

Output

@Html.TextAreaFor(m => m.Description)

Output

@Html.CheckBoxFor(m => m.IsActive)

Output

@Html.RadioButtonFor(m => m.Gender, "Male")

Output

3. Navigation Helpers

@Html.ActionLink("Home","Index","Home")

Example – Simple Form

@using (Html.BeginForm())
{
    @Html.Label("Name")
    @Html.TextBox("Name")
    
     <input type = "submit" value="Save"/>
    
}

HTML Output Generated

Example:

Summary

✔ HTML Helpers generate HTML elements
✔ Used inside Razor View
✔ Support Model Binding
✔ Reduce manual HTML coding