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: Press F12 or Ctrl + Shift + I
• Mac: Press Cmd + Option + I

b. Right-Click Menu:

Right-click any element on the page and select Inspect.

c. Chrome Main Menu:

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

2. Mozilla Firefox

a. Keyboard Shortcuts:

• Windows / Linux: Press F12 or Ctrl + Shift + I
• Mac: Press Cmd + Option + I

b. Right-Click Menu:

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

c. Firefox Application Menu:

1. Click the hamburger menu (≡) in the top-right corner.
2. Select More Tools.
3. Click 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. Click the Advanced 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: Press Cmd + Option + I
• Right-Click: Right-click any element on the page and select Inspect Element.
• Menu Bar: Click Develop in the top macOS menu bar and choose Show Web Inspector.
  

4. Microsoft Edge

a. Keyboard Shortcuts:

• Windows / Linux: Press F12 or Ctrl + Shift + I
• Mac: Press Cmd + Option + I

b. Right-Click Menu:

Right-click any section of the page and select Inspect.

c. Edge Settings Menu:

1. Click the three horizontal dots (...) in the top-right corner.
2. Hover over More tools.
3. Select Developer tools.