Which term describes text that appears inside an input field when it is empty?

The term that describes text appearing inside an input field when it is empty is placeholder text. This type of text is often used in forms to provide guidance to users regarding what information is expected in the input field. Placeholder text typically appears in a lighter color to differentiate it from user input, and it disappears once the user starts typing.

Using placeholder text enhances user experience by offering clear instructions while also keeping the input area visually neat and uncluttered. It serves an important role in web forms by improving usability and accessibility, ensuring that users understand the required format or type of data to enter.