14 Must Have Chrome Extensions For Web Developers
As of April 2023, Chrome holds 63.51% of the global browser market share worldwide. It's easy to see why Chrome is a popular choice for web developers. Working with Chrome offers access to an enormous repository of extensions that make our life as coders so much easier. What follows is a tried and tested list of the best Chrome extensions tools for developers. To access all your Chrome Extensions, simply click the jigsaw icon in the top right corner. Don't forget to pin your extensions to the toolbar by clicking the pin icon.
1. Check My Links
When you're creating a web document that has several links wouldn't it be so handy to test them in one go? Check My Links does exactly that. It navigates through your web page and looks for any broken links and highlights legitimate links too. Once installed, simply click the checkmark icon in your toolbar and voila! Download Check My Links Now
2. ColorPick Eyedropper
Have you ever been looking for color palette inspo for your website and came across the perfect shade but couldn't recreate it yourself? ColorPick Eyedropper is a convenient zoomed color picker tool for web pages. It can easily identify any color on a web page and gives you access to both rgb and hexadecimal values. Once installed, click the color wheel icon in your toolbar to start. The zoomed cross-hair cursor will activate, hover over the color you need and simply click. Super useful huh? Download ColorPick Eyedropper Now
3. CSS Peeper
CSS Peeper is another simple but very effective Chrome extension for web developers. Forget having to dig into code, extract css styles and save yourself so much time. Just install and click the blue/purple gradient "P" icon in your toolbar. Hover over the section you're curious about and watch an ordered specification of style properties appear. So handy! Download CSS Peeper Now
4. HTML Validator
HTML Validator does exactly what it says on the tin! Check for syntax errors in the browser. Install the extension, open developer tools and navigate to the HTML Validator tab. All details will be displayed with the errors at the very top. Download HTML Validator Now
5. React Developer Tools
If you work with react, this tool is mandatory. It's built specifically for the open-source React Javascript Library. It aids developers in inspecting the library as needed. Once installed, open the developer tools on your site and two new tabs "Components" and "Profiler" will appear. Components displays what React is using on the page and Profiler displays performance data. Download React Developer Tools Now
6. Wappalyzer
Want to know the secrets behind your favorite web page? Look no further. Wappalyzer identifies all of the web technologies used on a site. Pinpoint the programming languages, CMS type, framework, ecommerce platfrorm, plugins, and much, much more. Just install the extension, select the blue box Wappalyzer icon and all the underlying technologies appear! Download Wappalyzer Now
7. WAVE
As developers it's imperative that what we create empowers all members of society and WAVE helps us do exactly that. WAVE is an accessibility tool that checks for contrast errors that may effect visually impaired users, assesses screen reader elements, structural elements and gives a host of other important feedback. It injects icons and indicators on your web page so you can easily identify errors. To run a WAVE report, simply click on the "W" icon once installed and your report is ready within seconds. Download WAVE Now
8. Web Developer Checklist
What better way to stay organized than with a checklist! Web Developer Checklist gives you a list of best practices you need to complete before publishing your website. It's always useful to double check especially if you're a busy developer. Once installed, click the code icon in the toolbar and the checklist pops up! Download Web Developer Checklist Now
9. WhatFont
The quickest way to identify fonts on web pages. It's easy to use, fast, and even identifies font color, family, size and weight. Once installed, click the "f?" icon and simply hover over the font you desire. It's a no brainer, you need this tool! Download WhatFont Now
10. JSONVue
JSONVue helps you view JSON documents in the browser. As a developer, working with APIs and reading raw JSON data on a browser can be quite awkward. It’s much easier to read JSON in tree-view, rather than in its raw state.
11. Lighthouse
Lighthouse is a handy open-source tool for improving the performance, quality, and correctness of your websites. When analyzing your page, Lighthouse runs an array of testing that results in a detailed generated report. It's such an easy way to test and improve your site. Once installed, just click the lighthouse icon and "Generate report". Easy! Download Lighthouse Now
12. Pesticide
Pesticide is an awesome extension that helps you identify the layout of web pages. It outlines each element so you can easily see the given placement on the page. Just download and click the insect icon and you're ready to go! Download Pesticide Now
13. Responsive Tester
Test your website's responsiveness in the click of a button! This extension is incredibly useful for web devs. Most mobile and tablet sizes are covered and the emulation seems pretty accurate! Install the extension, click the Responsive Tester icon in the toolbar and select the resolution size. Download Responsive Tester Now
14. VisBug
If you're like me and love the visual aspect of web design, you are going to have so much fun with this extension. Make any website your art board and play around! In the words of the creators, "Give power to designers & content creators, in a place where they currently feel they have little to none". Download, click the icon and redesign any webpage you like. Enjoy! Download VisBug Now
