When a browser loads a webpage, it follows a structured rendering process.
First, HTML is parsed into the DOM. CSS is parsed into the CSSOM. These are combined into the render tree, which the browser uses to calculate layout and paint pixels on the screen.
When a browser loads a webpage, it performs a structured process:
- Parses HTML into the DOM
- Processes CSS into the CSSOM
- Combines them into a render tree
- Calculates layout and paints pixels
Understanding this rendering pipeline helps developers optimize performance, avoid layout thrashing, and write smoother animations.
Efficient websites are built by developers who understand how browsers think.
