elem.checked true (Boolean) Will change with checkbox state $(elem).prop("checked") true (Boolean) Will change with checkbox state elem.getAttribute("checked") "checked" (String) Initial state of the checkbox; does not change $(elem).attr("checked")(1.6) "checked" (String) Initial state of the checkbox; does not change $(elem).attr("checked")(1.6.1+) "checked" (String) Will change with checkbox state $(elem).attr("checked")(pre-1.6) true (Boolean) Changed with checkbox state
if ( elem.checked ) if ( $(elem).prop("checked") ) if ( $(elem).is(":checked") )