diff --git a/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md b/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
index 46befe2ea..3081a00b1 100644
--- a/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
+++ b/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
@@ -13,11 +13,12 @@ title: io
 Experimental
 
 ### Description
+
 Loads a rank-2 `array` from a text file.
 
 ### Syntax
 
-`call ` [[stdlib_io(module):loadtxt(interface)]] `(filename, array [, skiprows] [, max_rows] [, fmt] [, delimiter])`
+`call` [[stdlib_io(module):loadtxt(interface)]] `(filename, array [, skiprows] [, max_rows] [, fmt] [, delimiter])`
 
 ### Arguments
 
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ Loads a rank-2 `array` from a text file.
 
 `max_rows` (optional): Read `max_rows` lines of content after `skiprows` lines. A negative value results in reading all lines. A value of zero results in no lines to be read. The default value is -1.
 
-`fmt` (optional): Fortran format specifier for the text read.  Defaults to the write format for the data type.  Setting fmt='*' will specify list directed read.   
+`fmt` (optional): Fortran format specifier for the text read.  Defaults to the write format for the data type.  Setting fmt='*' will specify list directed read.
 
 `delimiter` (optional): Shall be a character expression of length 1 that contains the delimiter used to separate the columns. The default is `' '`.
 
@@ -43,7 +44,6 @@ Returns an allocated rank-2 `array` with the content of `filename`.
 {!example/io/example_loadtxt.f90!}
 ```
 
-
 ## `open` - open a file
 
 ### Status
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ Text files are opened using a sequential access, while binary files are opened u
 
 ### Syntax
 
-`u = ` [[stdlib_io(module):open(function)]] `(filename [, mode] [, iostat])`
+`u =` [[stdlib_io(module):open(function)]] `(filename [, mode] [, iostat])`
 
 ### Arguments
 
@@ -65,7 +65,6 @@ Text files are opened using a sequential access, while binary files are opened u
 
 `mode` (optional): Shall be a character expression containing characters describing the way in which the file will be used. The available modes are:
 
-
 | Character | Meaning |
 | --------- | ------- |
 | `'r'` | open for reading (default) |
@@ -76,14 +75,12 @@ Text files are opened using a sequential access, while binary files are opened u
 | `'b'` | binary mode |
 | `'t'` | text mode (default) |
 
-
 The default `mode` is `'rt'` (i.e. open for reading a text file). The `mode` may include one of the four different methods for opening a file (i.e., `'r'`, `'w'`, `'x'`, and `'a'`). These four methods can be associated with the character `'+'` to open the file for updating. In addition, it can be specified if the file should be handled as a binary file (`'b'`) or a text file (`'t'`).
 
 `iostat` (optional): Shall be a scalar of type `integer` that receives the error status of `open`, if provided. If no error exists, `iostat` is zero.
 
 `u`: Shall be a scalar of type `integer` that specifies the unit number associated with the file `filename`.
 
-
 ### Return value
 
 The result is a scalar of type `integer`.
@@ -94,7 +91,6 @@ The result is a scalar of type `integer`.
 {!example/io/example_open.f90!}
 ```
 
-
 ## `savetxt` - save a 2D array into a text file
 
 ### Status
@@ -102,11 +98,12 @@ The result is a scalar of type `integer`.
 Experimental
 
 ### Description
+
 Saves a rank-2 `array` into a text file.
 
 ### Syntax
 
-`call ` [[stdlib_io(module):savetxt(interface)]] `(filename, array [, delimiter])`
+`call` [[stdlib_io(module):savetxt(interface)]] `(filename, array [, delimiter])`
 
 ### Arguments
 
@@ -126,7 +123,6 @@ Provides a text file called `filename` that contains the rank-2 `array`.
 {!example/io/example_savetxt.f90!}
 ```
 
-
 ## `load_npy`
 
 ### Status
@@ -139,7 +135,7 @@ Loads an `array` from a npy formatted binary file.
 
 ### Syntax
 
-`call ` [[stdlib_io_npy(module):load_npy(interface)]] `(filename, array[, iostat][, iomsg])`
+`call` [[stdlib_io_npy(module):load_npy(interface)]] `(filename, array[, iostat][, iomsg])`
 
 ### Arguments
 
@@ -167,7 +163,6 @@ Returns an allocated `array` with the content of `filename` in case of success.
 {!example/io/example_loadnpy.f90!}
 ```
 
-
 ## `save_npy`
 
 ### Status
@@ -180,7 +175,7 @@ Saves an `array` into a npy formatted binary file.
 
 ### Syntax
 
-`call ` [[stdlib_io_npy(module):save_npy(interface)]] `(filename, array[, iostat][, iomsg])`
+`call` [[stdlib_io_npy(module):save_npy(interface)]] `(filename, array[, iostat][, iomsg])`
 
 ### Arguments
 
@@ -220,9 +215,9 @@ Read a whole line from a formatted unit into a string variable
 
 ### Syntax
 
-`call ` [[stdlib_io(module):get_line(interface)]] ` (unit, line[, iostat][, iomsg])`
+`call` [[stdlib_io(module):get_line(interface)]] `(unit, line[, iostat][, iomsg])`
 
-`call ` [[stdlib_io(module):get_line(interface)]] ` (line[, iostat][, iomsg])`
+`call` [[stdlib_io(module):get_line(interface)]] `(line[, iostat][, iomsg])`
 
 ### Arguments
 
@@ -272,7 +267,7 @@ Experimental
 
 ### Description
 
-This subroutine interface reads the entirety of a specified ASCII file and returns its content as a string or an allocatable `character` variable. 
+This subroutine interface reads the entirety of a specified ASCII file and returns its content as a string or an allocatable `character` variable.
 The function provides an optional error-handling mechanism via the `state_type` class. If the `err` argument is not provided, exceptions will trigger an `error stop`. The function also supports an optional flag to delete the file after reading.
 
 ### Syntax
@@ -280,6 +275,7 @@ The function provides an optional error-handling mechanism via the `state_type`
 `call [[stdlib_io(module):get_file(subroutine)]] (filename, file [, err] [, delete=.false.])`
 
 ### Class
+
 Function
 
 ### Arguments
@@ -287,7 +283,7 @@ Function
 `filename`: Shall be a character input containing the path to the ASCII file to read. It is an `intent(in)` argument.
 
 `file`: Shall be a `type(string_type)` or an allocatable `character` variable containing the full content of the specified file. It is an `intent(out)` argument.
- 
+
 `err` (optional): Shall be a `type(state_type)` variable. It is an `intent(out)` argument used for error handling.
 
 `delete` (optional): Shall be a `logical` flag. If `.true.`, the file is deleted after reading. Default is `.false.`. It is an `intent(in)` argument.
@@ -296,7 +292,7 @@ Function
 
 Output variable `file` will contain the full content of the specified file.
 
-Raises `STDLIB_IO_ERROR` if the file is not found, cannot be opened, read, or deleted. 
+Raises `STDLIB_IO_ERROR` if the file is not found, cannot be opened, read, or deleted.
 Exceptions trigger an `error stop` unless the optional `err` argument is provided.
 
 ### Example
@@ -305,3 +301,47 @@ Exceptions trigger an `error stop` unless the optional `err` argument is provide
 {!example/io/example_get_file.f90!}
 ```
 
+## `input` - Read user input with an optional prompt
+
+### Status
+
+Experimental
+
+### Description
+
+Reads a line of user input from standard input with an optional prompt.
+The prompt, if provided, is displayed on the same line as where the input will be entered.
+
+### Syntax
+
+`str =` [[stdlib_io(module):input(function)]] `([prompt] [, iostat])`
+
+### Arguments
+
+`prompt` (optional): Shall be a `character` expression containing the prompt text to be displayed before reading input.
+                     The prompt is displayed without a trailing newline, allowing input on the same line.
+                     This argument is `intent(in)`.
+
+`iostat` (optional): Shall be a scalar of type `integer` that receives the I/O status.
+                     Zero indicates success, non-zero indicates an error or end-of-file condition.
+                     This argument is `intent(out)`.
+                     If not provided, an error will cause trigger an `error stop`.
+
+### Return value
+
+Returns a deferred-length allocatable `character` string containing the line read from standard input.
+Trailing newline characters are automatically removed.
+
+### Notes
+
+- If no prompt is provided, the function will wait for user input without displaying any text.
+- Empty input (just pressing Enter) returns an empty string `""` of length equal to 0.
+- The function reads a complete line of input, including any whitespace.
+- For error handling, use the optional `iostat` parameter to detect end-of-file or other I/O exceptions.
+- The function uses `get_line` internally for consistency with other stdlib I/O operations.
+
+### Example
+
+```fortran
+{!example/io/example_input.f90!}
+```
diff --git a/example/io/example_input.f90 b/example/io/example_input.f90
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9d94f7470
--- /dev/null
+++ b/example/io/example_input.f90
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+program example_input
+  use stdlib_io, only: input
+  implicit none
+  
+  character(len=:), allocatable :: name
+  
+  ! Get user's name with a prompt
+  name = input('Enter your name: ')
+  
+  ! Display greeting
+  print '(a,a)', 'Hello, ', name
+  
+end program example_input
diff --git a/example_input_test b/example_input_test
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..454852c5a
Binary files /dev/null and b/example_input_test differ
diff --git a/src/io/stdlib_io.fypp b/src/io/stdlib_io.fypp
index 92d4306c0..f39b210a2 100644
--- a/src/io/stdlib_io.fypp
+++ b/src/io/stdlib_io.fypp
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ module stdlib_io
   !! Provides a support for file handling
   !! ([Specification](../page/specs/stdlib_io.html))
 
-  use, intrinsic :: iso_fortran_env, only : input_unit
+  use, intrinsic :: iso_fortran_env, only : input_unit, output_unit
   use stdlib_kinds, only: sp, dp, xdp, qp, &
       int8, int16, int32, int64
   use stdlib_io_aux, only: FMT_INT, FMT_REAL_SP, FMT_REAL_DP, FMT_REAL_XDP, FMT_REAL_QP, &
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ module stdlib_io
   implicit none
   private
   ! Public API
-  public :: loadtxt, savetxt, open, get_line, get_file
+  public :: loadtxt, savetxt, open, get_line, get_file, input
 
   !! version: experimental 
   !!
@@ -61,6 +61,14 @@ module stdlib_io
     module procedure :: get_line_input_string
   end interface get_line
 
+  !> Version: experimental
+  !>
+  !> Reads user input with an optional prompt
+  !> Returns a deferred-length character string
+  interface input
+    module procedure :: input_char
+  end interface input
+
   interface loadtxt
     !! version: experimental
     !!
@@ -705,4 +713,53 @@ contains
 
   end subroutine get_file_char
 
+  !> Version: experimental
+  !>
+  !> Reads user input with an optional prompt into a deferred-length character variable
+  function input_char(prompt, iostat) result(str)
+    !> Optional prompt to display before reading input
+    character(len=*), intent(in), optional :: prompt
+    !> Optional status of operation
+    integer, intent(out), optional :: iostat
+    !> The input string read from the user
+    character(len=:), allocatable :: str
+
+    integer :: stat
+    character(len=:), allocatable :: iomsg
+
+    ! Display prompt if provided (without newline)
+    if (present(prompt)) then
+      write(output_unit, '(a)', advance='no') prompt
+      flush(output_unit)
+    end if
+
+    ! Read the input line
+    call get_line(input_unit, str, stat, iomsg)
+
+    ! Handle iostat
+    if (present(iostat)) then
+      iostat = stat
+    else if (stat /= 0) then
+      call error_stop(trim(iomsg))
+    end if
+  end function input_char
+
+  !> Version: experimental
+  !>
+  !> Reads user input with an optional prompt into a string variable of type `string_type`
+  recursive function input_string(prompt, iostat) result(str)
+    !> Optional prompt to display before reading input
+    character(len=*), intent(in), optional :: prompt
+    !> Optional status of operation
+    integer, intent(out), optional :: iostat
+    !> The input string read from the user
+    type(string_type) :: str
+
+    character(len=:), allocatable :: buffer
+
+    ! Use the character version and convert to string_type
+    buffer = input_char(prompt, iostat)
+    str = string_type(buffer)
+  end function input_string
+
 end module stdlib_io
diff --git a/test/io/test_input.f90 b/test/io/test_input.f90
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..357750f00
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/io/test_input.f90
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+module test_input
+    use stdlib_io, only: input
+    use testdrive, only: new_unittest, unittest_type, error_type, check
+    implicit none
+
+    private
+    public :: collect_input
+contains
+
+    !> Collect all exported unit tests
+    subroutine collect_input(testsuite)
+        !> Collection of tests
+        type(unittest_type), allocatable, intent(out) :: testsuite(:)
+
+        testsuite = [ &
+            new_unittest("input_basic", test_input_basic) &
+        ]
+
+    end subroutine collect_input
+
+    subroutine test_input_basic(error)
+        !> Error handling
+        type(error_type), allocatable, intent(out) :: error
+        character(len=:), allocatable :: result
+        
+        ! Note: This is a basic structure for the test
+        ! Actual interactive testing would require input redirection or mocking
+        ! For now, we verify that the function signature is correct
+        
+        ! The function should be callable (this verifies compilation)
+        ! In a real test environment, you would redirect stdin
+        
+        ! For now, just verify the module compiles and can be used
+        call check(error, .true., "input function is available")
+        
+    end subroutine test_input_basic
+
+end module test_input
+
+
+program tester
+    use, intrinsic :: iso_fortran_env, only : error_unit
+    use testdrive, only : run_testsuite, new_testsuite, testsuite_type
+    use test_input, only : collect_input
+    implicit none
+    integer :: stat, is
+    type(testsuite_type), allocatable :: testsuites(:)
+    character(len=*), parameter :: fmt = '("#", *(1x, a))'
+
+    stat = 0
+
+    testsuites = [ &
+        new_testsuite("input", collect_input) &
+        ]
+
+    do is = 1, size(testsuites)
+        write(error_unit, fmt) "Testing:", testsuites(is)%name
+        call run_testsuite(testsuites(is)%collect, error_unit, stat)
+    end do
+
+    if (stat > 0) then
+        write(error_unit, '(i0, 1x, a)') stat, "test(s) failed!"
+        error stop
+    end if
+
+end program tester
diff --git a/test/io/test_input_demo.f90 b/test/io/test_input_demo.f90
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2cf50f291
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/io/test_input_demo.f90
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+program test_input
+  ! Test program for the new input() function
+  use stdlib_io, only: input
+  implicit none
+  
+  character(len=:), allocatable :: name, age_str, city
+  integer :: ios
+  
+  ! Test 1: Basic input with prompt
+  write(*,'(a)') 'Test 1: Basic input with prompt'
+  name = input('Enter your name: ')
+  write(*,'(2a)') 'You entered: ', name
+  write(*,*)
+  
+  ! Test 2: Input without prompt
+  write(*,'(a)') 'Test 2: Input without prompt'
+  write(*,'(a)',advance='no') 'Enter your age: '
+  age_str = input()
+  write(*,'(2a)') 'You entered: ', age_str
+  write(*,*)
+  
+  ! Test 3: Input with iostat
+  write(*,'(a)') 'Test 3: Input with iostat (press Ctrl+D to end)'
+  city = input('Enter your city: ', iostat=ios)
+  if (ios == 0) then
+    write(*,'(2a)') 'You entered: ', city
+  else
+    write(*,'(a,i0)') 'Input error, iostat = ', ios
+  end if
+  
+end program test_input