diff --git a/dist/formly-material.js b/dist/formly-material.js
index 2b48876..af43de6 100644
--- a/dist/formly-material.js
+++ b/dist/formly-material.js
@@ -947,6 +947,9 @@ return /******/ (function(modules) { // webpackBootstrap
 	        },
 	        cols: {
 	          attribute: 'cols'
+	        },
+	        maxlength: {
+	          attribute: 'md-maxlength'
 	        }
 	      },
 	      templateOptions: {
@@ -984,4 +987,4 @@ return /******/ (function(modules) { // webpackBootstrap
 /***/ }
 /******/ ])
 });
-;
\ No newline at end of file
+;
diff --git a/docs/types/textarea.md b/docs/types/textarea.md
index 0b2690e..6e74f9c 100644
--- a/docs/types/textarea.md
+++ b/docs/types/textarea.md
@@ -29,6 +29,11 @@ textarea
 
 #### templateOptions.className _: string | expression | array_
 
+#### templateOptions.maxlength *: integer*
+
+The maximum number of characters allowed in this input. If this is specified, a character counter will be shown underneath the input.
+Equivalent to md-maxlength
+
 #### templateOptions.rows *: integer*
 
 Number of rows
diff --git a/src/types/textarea/textarea.js b/src/types/textarea/textarea.js
index 26b8aa8..6c2bf3a 100644
--- a/src/types/textarea/textarea.js
+++ b/src/types/textarea/textarea.js
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ export default (formlyConfigProvider) => {
         },
         cols: {
           attribute: 'cols'
+        },
+        maxlength: {
+          attribute: 'md-maxlength'
         }
       },
       templateOptions: {