What Are Browser Developer Tools?

Browser Developer Tools (often called DevTools) are a set of web authoring and debugging tools built directly into modern web browsers. They allow web developers, designers, and site administrators to inspect, edit, and troubleshoot web pages in real time. If you experience a problem on your site then the errors that you see in the “Console” can be helpful to help developers see where the issue lies.

What Can You Do with DevTools?

Inspect & Edit HTML/CSS: View the underlying structure of a webpage and test CSS visual changes live without editing the actual server files.

Console Logging: Monitor JavaScript errors, warnings, and manually run JavaScript commands directly on the active page.

Device Emulation: Test how web pages look and behave across various screen resolutions, mobile devices, and tablets.

How to Open DevTools in Major Browsers

1. Google Chrome

a. Keyboard Shortcuts (Fastest):

• Windows / Linux: Presse F12 oder Ctrl + Shift + I
• Mac: Presse Cmd + Option + I

b. Right-Click Menu:

Right-click any element on the page and select Überprüfen Sie.

c. Chrome Main Menu:

1. Klicken Sie auf die three vertical dots (⋮) in the top-right corner.
2. Hover over More Tools.
3. Klicken Sie auf Developer Tools.
   

2. Mozilla Firefox

a. Keyboard Shortcuts:

• Windows / Linux: Presse F12 oder Ctrl + Shift + I
• Mac: Presse Cmd + Option + I

b. Right-Click Menu:

Right-click any element on the web page and choose Überprüfen Sie (or Inspect Element).

c. Firefox Application Menu:

1. Klicken Sie auf die hamburger menu (≡) in the top-right corner.
2. Wählen Sie More Tools.
3. Klicken Sie auf Web Developer Tools.
   

3. Apple Safari

Note: In Safari, Developer Tools are hidden by default and must be enabled first.

a. Enable the Develop Menu (One-Time Setup):

1. Open Safari and go to Safari in the top menu bar -> Settings… (or Preferences…).
2. Klicken Sie auf die Fortgeschrittene tab.
3. Check the box at the bottom that says “Show features for web developers” (or “Show Develop menu in menu bar”).

b. Open Developer Tools:

• Keyboard Shortcut: Presse Cmd + Option + I
• Right-Click: Right-click any element on the page and select Inspect Element.
• Menu Bar: Klicken Sie auf Entwickeln Sie in the top macOS menu bar and choose Show Web Inspector.
  

4. Microsoft Edge

a. Keyboard Shortcuts:

• Windows / Linux: Presse F12 oder Ctrl + Shift + I
• Mac: Presse Cmd + Option + I

b. Right-Click Menu:

Right-click any section of the page and select Überprüfen Sie.

c. Edge Settings Menu:

1. Klicken Sie auf die three horizontal dots (...) in the top-right corner.
2. Hover over More tools.
3. Wählen Sie Developer tools.