How to View the Page Source in a New Tab Using Firefox

This guide will show you how to view the source code of a web page while using Firefox, without having to install any additional software.

Please note: This guide was originally published back in 2007. As you’d expect, a lot has changed since then. Previously you had to use an addon in order to be able to view the source code of a web page in a new Firefox tab (the default behaviour used to be a new window). Now, you don’t need the addon – simply select Tools -> Web Developer -> Page Source.

This article is will remain online as a historical/archived document, and should be treated as such.

viewing the source code of a web page using Firefox

While you’re here, check out our other Firefox tips and tricks :)


With the very helpful Firefox addon Source Viewer Tab, you can view a pages source code in a new tab, rather than a new window (which is the annoying default).

  1. Source Viewer Tab installs as all other Firefox plugins – and you’ll need to restart Firefox for it to start working. Once you have, select View -> Page Source as you normally would..
  2. And instead of opening in a new window, the source will be displayed in a new tab.

  3. click to enlarge

  4. If you highlight a section of a web page, then right click and select View Selection Source..
  5. That selections source will be displayed – but again – in a new tab instead of a new window.

  6. click to enlarge

  7. And the source-view tab also has a very helpful menu that includes text-wrapping, text-resizing and several others.

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