Validator

Validator Overview

The W3C Markup Validation Service is a free tool provided by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to check the validity of web documents written in markup languages like HTML and XHTML. By verifying that your web pages conform to W3C standards, you ensure better browser compatibility and a more consistent user experience across different platforms. This service is particularly useful for web developers and designers aiming to maintain high-quality, standards-compliant websites.

Key Features

• Multi-Method Validation: Validate documents by URI, file upload, or direct input.
• Comprehensive Markup Support: Checks for HTML, XHTML, SMIL, MathML, and more.
• Character Encoding Detection: Automatically detects and allows manual selection of character encoding.
• Document Type Declaration (Doctype) Handling: Supports various Doctype declarations, including HTML5 and XHTML versions.
• Output Options: Offers sequential or grouped error messages, source display, HTML-Tidy cleanup, and verbose output.
• HTML Fragment Validation: Validates partial HTML documents or fragments.

How to Use the Validator

Using the W3C Markup Validation Service is straightforward:

1. By URI: Enter the URL of the web page you wish to validate in the provided field and click “Check.” The validator will fetch the page and display the results.
2. By File Upload: Upload an HTML or XHTML file from your local system. The validator will process the file and show the validation results.
3. By Direct Input: Paste your markup directly into the input field. This is useful for validating small snippets of code.

After validation, review the reported errors or warnings. The validator provides detailed messages to help you identify and correct issues in your markup.

Pricing

The W3C Markup Validation Service is entirely free for individual users. For organizations requiring batch validation or additional features, W3C offers the Validator Suite. This premium service operates on a credit-based system, allowing users to validate multiple pages or entire websites. New registered users receive 20 free credits to get started. Additional credits can be purchased as needed, providing flexibility for varying validation needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is markup validation? Markup validation is the process of checking a web document against the formal grammar (Document Type Definition or DTD) it claims to use. This ensures that the document’s structure adheres to the specified rules, leading to better browser compatibility and user experience.
• Why should I validate my web pages? Validating your web pages helps catch errors that might not be immediately apparent but could affect the page’s rendering or functionality across different browsers. It also promotes adherence to web standards, which is crucial for accessibility and long-term maintainability.
• Can the validator check all pages in my site at once? The free validator checks one page at a time. However, for batch validation, you can use the Validator Suite, which allows you to validate multiple pages or entire sections of your website simultaneously.
• What if my page passes validation but still looks incorrect? Validation ensures that your markup is syntactically correct, but it doesn’t guarantee that the page will look or function as intended. Issues like CSS errors, JavaScript problems, or browser-specific rendering quirks can still affect the page’s appearance and behavior.
• Can I use the “W3C Valid” logo on my site? Yes, if your page passes validation, you are authorized to display the “W3C Valid” logo as a claim of validity. The icon must be used as a link back to the validation service, allowing users to verify the page’s validity status.