How to Find Your Browser Developer Console

Last Update: Jun 7, 2024

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Debugging web applications can be tricky. Accessing your browser’s developer console is the easiest way to “pop the hood” and see what’s going on with your application. It’s like a secret backdoor that isn’t very secret.

Google Chrome

Google’s browser is one of the most popular out there, and it’s easy to access the developer console:

In the upper right hand corner of the browser, click the 3 dots:

Then select More Tools -> then Developer Tools

You will now see the console (and all the errors my site produces when I run it locally)

Shortcuts:

MacOS: Option + ⌘ + J Windows / Linux: Shift + CTRL + J

Safari

In Safari you’ll need to enable Developer mode. Go to the

Select Safari Menu > Preferences and make sure “Show Develop menu in menu bar” is checked:

Now you’ll see a developer option on the Safari menu bar:

Select “Show JavaScript Console”

And now you’ll see a web console in Safari:

Shortcuts:

Option + ⌘ + C

Microsoft Edge

In Edge, again click the three dots in the upper right hand corner:

Select More Tools -> Developer Tools

And you’ll see a lovely console which hopefully doesn’t look like Bing’s:

Shortcuts:

Windows: F12

Internet Explorer

In Internet Explorer click on the gear icon at the upper right hand corner of the browser:

Select “F12 Developer Tools” (or, ya know, press F12)

And your console appears:

Shortcuts:

Windows: F12

Firefox

In Firefox you’ll have a sandwich menu in the top right hand corner:

Clic that and select Web Developer -> Web Console

And your console appears!

Shortcuts:

MacOS: Shift + ⌘ + J Windows / Linux: Shift + CTRL + J

Summary

This is a list of ways to get into the developer console for popular browsers, and it’s a great way to debug your JavaScript applications. I can’t stress it enough to new developers: use your console that’s why it’s there. It will save you heaps of time and effort.

Questions, comments? Let me know!

Published: Mar 22, 2020 by Jeremy Morgan. Contact me before republishing this content.