Explain the purpose of DOCTYPE in HTML

Last Updated : 24 Jan, 2024

The DOCTYPE in HTML acts like a blueprint, telling web browsers how to understand and display a webpage. Here’s why it matters:

Defines Document Type: It tells browsers the type and version of HTML or XHTML used in the page.
Controls Rendering Mode: It helps and influences how browsers render content, ensuring consistency across different browsers.
Ensures Compatibility: Promotes adherence to standards for consistent display and compatibility.
Aids Validation: Helps validators check code against standards, catching errors for better quality.
Future-Proofs Pages: Shows a commitment to using standardized HTML, making pages compatible with future technologies and updates.

In short, DOCTYPE is like a web language tag that ensures your page speaks the same language as browsers, avoiding confusion and ensuring a smooth viewing experience.

Syntax

<!DOCTYPE html>

Example: Example illustrates the use of Doctype.

HTML

<!DOCTYPE html> 
<html> 
  
<head> 
    <title>Doctype Example</title> 
</head> 
  
<body> 
    <h2>Welcome To GFG</h2> 
    <p>Default code has been loaded into the Editor.</p> 
</body> 
  
</html>