What is the Javascript (JS) console?

Web browsers provide a JavaScript console as part of their developer tools. This console is useful for the following reasons:

• Errors and warnings that occur on a web page are logged into the console.
• JavaScript commands for interacting with a web page can be executed in the console.

How do I access the Javascript Console?

Accessing the Javascript console will be different depending on the browser that you use. You can access this console through each of the following browsers:

Chrome

Opening the “Console” panel of Chrome’s DevTools:

• Windows and Linux: Ctrl + Shift + J

• Mac OS: Cmd + Opt + J

Note: In addition to the “Console” panel, there also exists a smaller slide-up console that can be toggled via Esc while any of the other panels is active.

Full documentation

Firefox

Opening the “Console” panel in Firefox’s Developer Tools:

• Windows: Ctrl + Shift + K

• Mac OS: Cmd + Opt + K

Note: In addition to the “Console” panel, there also exists a smaller slide-up console that can be toggled via Esc while any of the other panels is active.

Full documentation

Internet Explorer

Opening the “Console” panel in Internet Explorer’s F12 Developer Tools:

• F12, then click on the “Console” tab

Note: In addition to the “Console” panel, there also exists a smaller slide-up console that can be toggled via Ctrl + ` while any of the other panels is active.

Full documentation

Safari

Note: In order to view the console in Safari, you have to enable the “Show Develop menu in menu bar” setting in the “Advanced” pane of Safari’s preferences (screenshot).

Opening the “Console” panel in Safari’s Web Inspector:

• Cmd + Opt + C

Note: In addition to the “Console” panel, there also exists a smaller slide-up console that can be toggled via Esc while any of the other panels is active.

Full documentation

Opera

• Windows and Linux: Ctrl + Shift + I
• Mac : ⌘+⌥+I

Full documentation