How to View Source Code

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Read a website's source code on Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, & More
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This wikiHow teaches you how to view the source code of a website, which is the code behind any website (such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript), on most common browsers. Excluding a Safari trick, you cannot view a website's source code while using a mobile browser.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Internet Explorer

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a4\/View-Source-Code-Step-1-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-View-Source-Code-Step-1-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a4\/View-Source-Code-Step-1-Version-6.jpg\/v4-728px-View-Source-Code-Step-1-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The process for viewing source code on Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Internet Explorer is the same.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/View-Source-Code-Step-2-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-View-Source-Code-Step-2-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/View-Source-Code-Step-2-Version-6.jpg\/v4-728px-View-Source-Code-Step-2-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It should be a page whose source code you wish to view.
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  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6f\/View-Source-Code-Step-3-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-View-Source-Code-Step-3-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6f\/View-Source-Code-Step-3-Version-6.jpg\/v4-728px-View-Source-Code-Step-3-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you're using a Mac computer with a one-button mouse, you can hold down Control and click instead. If you are on a laptop with a trackpad, you can use two fingers to click the page instead. This will create a drop-down menu.
    • Don't right-click a link or a photo when doing this or else the wrong menu will appear.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/View-Source-Code-Step-4-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-View-Source-Code-Step-4-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/View-Source-Code-Step-4-Version-6.jpg\/v4-728px-View-Source-Code-Step-4-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Doing so will display your browser's source code in a new window or at the bottom of the current window.
    • You'll see View page source for Chrome and Firefox, and View Source for Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer.
    • You can also press Ctrl + U (PC) or ⌥ Option + ⌘ Command + U (Mac) to display the source code.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Safari

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/View-Source-Code-Step-5-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-View-Source-Code-Step-5-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/View-Source-Code-Step-5-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-View-Source-Code-Step-5-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This is a blue, compass-shaped app.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/View-Source-Code-Step-6-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-View-Source-Code-Step-6-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/View-Source-Code-Step-6-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-View-Source-Code-Step-6-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's in the top-left side of your Mac's menu bar. Doing so invokes a drop-down menu.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/View-Source-Code-Step-7-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-View-Source-Code-Step-7-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/View-Source-Code-Step-7-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-View-Source-Code-Step-7-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This option is in the middle of the drop-down menu.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ed\/View-Source-Code-Step-8-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-View-Source-Code-Step-8-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ed\/View-Source-Code-Step-8-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-View-Source-Code-Step-8-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's in the top-right corner of the Preferences window.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f3\/View-Source-Code-Step-9-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-View-Source-Code-Step-9-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f3\/View-Source-Code-Step-9-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-View-Source-Code-Step-9-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This option is near the bottom of the Preferences window. You should see a Develop menu appear in your Mac's menu bar.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/View-Source-Code-Step-10-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-View-Source-Code-Step-10-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/View-Source-Code-Step-10-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-View-Source-Code-Step-10-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It should be a page whose source code you wish to view.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ec\/View-Source-Code-Step-11-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-View-Source-Code-Step-11-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ec\/View-Source-Code-Step-11-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-View-Source-Code-Step-11-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This menu is to the left of the Window menu in your Mac's menu bar.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/View-Source-Code-Step-12-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-View-Source-Code-Step-12-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/View-Source-Code-Step-12-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-View-Source-Code-Step-12-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's near the bottom of the drop-down menu. Clicking this option will prompt Safari to display the webpage's source code.
    • You can also press ⌥ Option + ⌘ Command + U to display the source code.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

On Wikis

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/80\/View-Source-Code-Step-13-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-View-Source-Code-Step-13-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/80\/View-Source-Code-Step-13-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-View-Source-Code-Step-13-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/aa\/View-Source-Code-Step-14-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-View-Source-Code-Step-14-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/aa\/View-Source-Code-Step-14-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-View-Source-Code-Step-14-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/View-Source-Code-Step-15-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-View-Source-Code-Step-15-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/View-Source-Code-Step-15-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-View-Source-Code-Step-15-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    The view source doesn't exist on my Mac, where do I find it?
    Community Answer
    To be able to view the source code of a webpage under Safari, you first need to enable the Developer menu: Click on Safari menu > Preferences > Advanced. Check "Show Develop menu in menu bar" Close the Preferences window Go to the Develop menu > Show Page Source
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Yes No
    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 16
  • Question
    How do I view the source code of an image on a page without seeing the code for the whole page?
    Community Answer
    Right-click on the image and select "Inspect" from the available options.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 14
  • Question
    How do I create HTML source code for an image that I have on my computer?
    Community Answer
    Add the image location on your computer to the source code. Make sure the file is available and then run.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Warnings

      • Be wary of downloading third-party applications that claim to display the source code of a website.
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      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open the website in a browser.
      2. Right-click the page.
      3. Click View page source or View source .

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