diff --git a/docs/content/docs/2.components/input-menu.md b/docs/content/docs/2.components/input-menu.md
index 99d4d9da8f..9a338ae390 100644
--- a/docs/content/docs/2.components/input-menu.md
+++ b/docs/content/docs/2.components/input-menu.md
@@ -576,6 +576,28 @@ props:
 ---
 ::
 
+### Free input
+
+Use the `allowFreeInput` prop to let users type any value, even if it is not present in the items list.
+
+::component-code
+---
+prettier: true
+ignore:
+  - items
+external:
+  - items
+props:
+  placeholder: 'Type or select a status'
+  allowFreeInput: true
+  items:
+    - Backlog
+    - Todo
+    - In Progress
+    - Done
+---
+::
+
 ## Examples
 
 ### With items type
diff --git a/src/runtime/components/InputMenu.vue b/src/runtime/components/InputMenu.vue
index 857c26d4ea..0c9d0a4b31 100644
--- a/src/runtime/components/InputMenu.vue
+++ b/src/runtime/components/InputMenu.vue
@@ -109,6 +109,11 @@ export interface InputMenuProps<T extends ArrayOrNested<InputMenuItem> = ArrayOr
   multiple?: M & boolean
   /** Highlight the ring color like a focus state. */
   highlight?: boolean
+  /**
+   * Allow free input that is not present in the items list.
+   * When true, the value typed by the user is directly reflected in `v-model`.
+   */
+  allowFreeInput?: boolean
   /**
    * Determines if custom user input that does not exist in options can be added.
    * @defaultValue false
@@ -238,10 +243,14 @@ const ui = computed(() => tv({ extend: tv(theme), ...(appConfig.ui?.inputMenu ||
 const items = computed(() => groups.value.flatMap(group => group) as T[])
 
 function displayValue(value: GetItemValue<T, VK>): string {
-  return getDisplayValue<T[], GetItemValue<T, VK>>(items.value, value, {
-    labelKey: props.labelKey,
-    valueKey: props.valueKey
-  }) ?? ''
+  if (props.allowFreeInput) {
+    return String(value ?? '')
+  } else {
+    return getDisplayValue<T[], GetItemValue<T, VK>>(items.value, value, {
+      labelKey: props.labelKey,
+      valueKey: props.valueKey
+    }) ?? ''
+  }
 }
 
 const groups = computed<InputMenuItem[][]>(() =>
@@ -325,11 +334,19 @@ function onUpdate(value: any) {
   emitFormChange()
   emitFormInput()
 
-  if (props.resetSearchTermOnSelect) {
+  if (props.resetSearchTermOnSelect && !props.allowFreeInput) {
     searchTerm.value = ''
   }
 }
 
+function onSearchTermUpdate(value: string) {
+  searchTerm.value = value
+  if (props.allowFreeInput) {
+    emits('update:modelValue', value as GetModelValue<T, VK, M>)
+    onUpdate(value)
+  }
+}
+
 function onBlur(event: FocusEvent) {
   emits('blur', event)
   emitFormBlur()
@@ -351,7 +368,7 @@ function onUpdateOpen(value: boolean) {
 
     // Since we use `displayValue` prop inside ComboboxInput we should reset searchTerm manually
     // https://reka-ui.com/docs/components/combobox#api-reference
-    if (props.resetSearchTermOnBlur) {
+    if (props.resetSearchTermOnBlur && !props.allowFreeInput) {
       const STATE_ANIMATION_DELAY_MS = 100
 
       timeoutId = setTimeout(() => {
@@ -478,7 +495,7 @@ defineExpose({
         :required="required"
         @blur="onBlur"
         @focus="onFocus"
-        @update:model-value="searchTerm = $event"
+        @update:model-value="onSearchTermUpdate"
       />
 
       <span v-if="isLeading || !!avatar || !!slots.leading" :class="ui.leading({ class: props.ui?.leading })">
@@ -499,7 +516,7 @@ defineExpose({
       <ComboboxContent :class="ui.content({ class: props.ui?.content })" v-bind="contentProps" @focus-outside.prevent>
         <slot name="content-top" />
 
-        <ComboboxEmpty :class="ui.empty({ class: props.ui?.empty })">
+        <ComboboxEmpty v-if="!props.allowFreeInput" :class="ui.empty({ class: props.ui?.empty })">
           <slot name="empty" :search-term="searchTerm">
             {{ searchTerm ? t('inputMenu.noMatch', { searchTerm }) : t('inputMenu.noData') }}
           </slot>