!DOCTYPE Declaration

Lesson in the HTML Roadmap · Stage 3: Basic Tags

Last updated 14 September 2026

What is !DOCTYPE Declaration?

The <!DOCTYPE> declaration is an instruction to the web browser about the HTML version used to write the page. It's placed at the very top of an HTML document, before the <html> tag, and ensures that the browser renders the page in "standards mode," following the correct specifications for that HTML version. Technically, It is not an HTML tag itself.

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Free resources to learn !DOCTYPE Declaration

ArticleDoctype | DMN docs
ArticleWhat is the DOCTYPE Declaration in HTML?
VideoHTML DOCTYPE | Standards vs Quirks mode | HTML 5 Tutorial

!DOCTYPE Declaration: common questions

Can I learn !DOCTYPE Declaration in Hindi?

This lesson is written in English. Once you sign in, open it in the interactive course and ask the AI tutor to explain !DOCTYPE Declaration in Hindi or Hinglish. The tutor answers from this lesson’s own text, so it stays on the syllabus, and it runs on your own Google, OpenAI or Anthropic key.

Is this !DOCTYPE Declaration tutorial for beginners?

It is lesson 15 of 88 in the free HTML roadmap, in stage 3, Basic Tags. If you are new to HTML, start from stage 1 and come back here in order; if you already know the earlier stages, this lesson stands on its own.