How to Open and Run an HTML File: Step-by-Step Guide

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Plus, how to save your HTML file for easy viewing

Written by Hannah Dillon

Last Updated: August 12, 2025 Fact Checked

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Saving an HTML File

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Using a Browser

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Using an Online Viewer

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Uploading via FTP

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Video

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Q&A

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is a web-based coding language known as a "markup language." It's mainly used to create the structure of websites. In this article, we'll teach you how to save your HTML file and open it in your browser (as all modern browsers are capable of opening and interpreting .html files), as well as how to run your HTML code in an online code viewer or through FTP (or File Transfer Protocol).

Running an HTML File

Right-click your HTML file, select Open with, and select a web browser. Your browser will run the file and interpret your code.
Upload your file to an online HTML viewer to see the code and changes you make in real time.
Use an FTP client to upload an HTML file to your website, then visit the website in your browser.

Section 1 of 4:

Saving an HTML File

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1
Understand HTML. HTML files are text files that represent the content and the layout of a web page. To read an HTML file, you can use any text editor (e.g., Notepad, Notepad++, or any specialized HTML editor). However, if you want to see what the web page looks like, you need to run it on a web browser, which is designed to read and render HTML files.
- If you just want to run an HTML file you downloaded from somewhere else, skip down to Running in a Browser.
As you become a more proficient coder, you can use HTML editing programs like Adobe Dreamweaver, CoffeeCup, and Visual Studio Code, but a simple program is all you need to start. Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac) should suffice.

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If you make an HTML file in Notepad, TextEdit, or any other text editor, be sure to save it with the proper notation. Before saving the file, make sure that you have changed your "Save as type" to All files (if needed) and click Save.

Section 2 of 4:

Running in a Browser

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Open the HTML file in a web browser to see the web page. Right-click (Windows) or control-click (Mac) the file and select Open with from the menu. Then, choose your preferred web browser, such as Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox. The browser automatically interprets your code and displays it. The file location will appear in the address bar.^{[1]
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- Most computers will associate your default browser with the .html file extension. That means that usually, you don't need to find a browser to open the file—you can just double-click on it, and the computer will open it in your default web browser.
- If your PC doesn't recognize the file, Windows will ask whether to open this file using an already installed application or search for the extension on the internet. Select the "open using already installed applications" option. You will be able to choose from a list of all browsers installed on the computer.
- If you see a .css or .js file with the HTML file, you can leave it alone for now. CSS files dictate the styling of the webpage, and JavaScript files control the interactive aspects of the page (though you can use HTML and CSS to code interactive website elements as well).

Section 3 of 4:

Running in an Online Viewer

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1
Navigate to an online HTML viewer. There are a number of websites that allow you to view your HTML files. Try one of these options:
- HTML Online Viewer allows you to upload an HTML file, or you can copy and paste your raw HTML into the website's text editor. The pane on the right side of the page updates in real time to show you your HTML and any changes you make.
- Code Beautify also allows you to upload an HTML file or copy and paste your code into the webpage, and it also shows you your code interpreted in real time. However, unlike HTML Online Viewer, this website will "beautify" (or format) your HTML code so it's easy to read.
- Phoenix Code is an online IDE (or integrated development environment) that allows you to code your HTML online and view it in real-time. This IDE is quite powerful, as it allows you to create CSS and JS files to go with your HTML.
- Codepen is another online development environment that allows you to code in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You can easily save your code (called "pens") and share it with other people.
If the site you chose has a button to import files, click that and navigate to your HTML file. Otherwise, simply copy and paste your HTML into the site's text editor.
If the site you're using doesn't update automatically, click the button to view it (which might say View or Run). You can then go back and edit your code as needed if you want to tweak something.

Section 4 of 4:

Running via FTP

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If your host has one built in, stick with that—it will make it a lot simpler. If not, use a third-party FTP client like FileZilla.
If you're using the built-in platform, you don't need to worry about this. You'll usually see two boxes on the left and two boxes on the right. Don't worry about the left or top right ones; all you need to focus on is the bottom right box.
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Locate your HTML file and drag it into the box. It will start the upload right away. If you're using the built-in platform, find and locate the "htdocs," "public_html," or other default HTML folder (check with your web host if you're unsure), and click Upload.^{[2]
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- Don't use the shortcut! This will upload the LNK Mirror file, which you don't want.
Wait until the file is uploaded. Then, if you've removed the default page, go and view your website to see your HTML file! If you see a directory listing, click the .html file to view.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I run the HTML code from the notepad?

Community Answer

Save the file as an HTML file type. Then, open the file and it should open in a browser.

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Question

How do I open the file in Notepad again after opening it in the browser?

Community Answer

Do the opposite of what you did to make it an html file. Save it as index.txt from index.html.

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Question

How do I run an HTML program using Chrome?

Community Answer

First, save the program on your desktop with an extension ".html," then right click on the file document and click on open with Chrome.

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