element. Let's check out an example: Definition and Usage. Even when the textarea gains focus, it is not resized. Screenshot example of resize grip var observe; if (window.​attachEvent) { observe = function (element, event, handler) { element. your css textarea { width:400px  it works in FIDDLE, it might be a problem of parent element's width, that stop textarea to resize, may be you enclosed this textarea in a table and defined that table's width that stop your textarea to resize. Currently, I can resize a textarea by clicking on the bottom right corner of the textarea and dragging the mouse. The . You can easily turn on and off textarea resize properties in a CSS3 style sheet and HTML5. Hiding textarea resize handle in Safari, Here is some jQuery that will remove the background when the textarea is in focus, and put it back if the textarea is left without any text Remove resize handle. As a general rule, however, you should allow resizing. Learn the ways of only vertically or horizontally  You can use the CSS3 resize property to remove or turn-off the default horizontal and vertical resizable property of the HTML . You can easily turn on and off textarea resize properties in a CSS3 style sheet and HTML5. Hiding textarea resize handle in Safari, Here is some jQuery that will remove the background when the textarea is in focus, and put it back if the textarea is left without any text Remove resize handle. As a general rule, however, you should allow resizing. Learn the ways of only vertically or horizontally  You can use the CSS3 resize property to remove or turn-off the default horizontal and vertical resizable property of the HTML