function validate(form_id,email) { var reg = /^([A-Za-z0-9_/-/.])+/@([A-Za-z0-9_/-/.])+/.([A-Za-z]{2,4})$/; var address = document.forms[form_id].elements[email].value; if(reg.test(address) == false) { alert('Invalid Email Address'); return false; } } for html <form id="form_id" method="post" action="action.php" οnsubmit="javascript:return validate('form_id','email');"> <input type="text" id="email" name="email" /> <input type="submit" value="Submit" /> </form>