Document.documentElement

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  1. Syntax
  2. Example
  3. Notes
  4. Specifications
  5. Browser compatibility

Document.documentElement returns the Element that is the root element of the document (for example, the <html> element for HTML documents).

Syntax

var element = document.documentElement;

Example

var rootElement = document.documentElement;
var firstTier = rootElement.childNodes;

// firstTier is the NodeList of the direct children of the root element
for (var i = 0; i < firstTier.length; i++) {
   // do something with each direct kid of the root element
   // as firstTier[i]
}

Notes

For any non-empty HTML document, document.documentElement will always be an <html> element. For any non-empty XML document, document.documentElement will always be whatever element is the root element of the document.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
Document Object Model (DOM) Level 2 Core Specification
The definition of 'Document.documentElement' in that specification.		 Obsolete  
Document Object Model (DOM) Level 3 Core Specification
The definition of 'Document.documentElement' in that specification.		 Obsolete  
DOM4
The definition of 'Document.documentElement' in that specification.		 Obsolete  
DOM
The definition of 'Document.documentElement' in that specification.		 Living Standard  

Browser compatibility

FeatureChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafari
Basic support Yes ? Yes ? ? ?
FeatureAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidEdge mobileFirefox for AndroidOpera AndroidiOS SafariSamsung Internet
Basic support Yes Yes ? Yes ? ? ?

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Last updated by: fscholz,