What is a web browser?

A web browser is the program that fetches web pages and shows them on your screen. Common browsers include Chrome, Safari, Edge and Firefox, on both computers and phones. The browser asks the web server for a page, then reads the HTML, CSS and JavaScript to draw it. Browsers also save copies of files (a cache), remember cookies and warn you about unsafe sites. Keeping your browser updated keeps you safer and helps sites display correctly.

Why it matters for your business: Your customers use many different browsers and devices. A site should be checked in more than one, because a page that looks right in one browser can break in another.

Related articles

• What is a cache?
• What is a cookie?
• What is a hard refresh?
• What is cross-browser testing?
• What is incognito mode?
• Which web browser should I use, and how do I update it?