How to View Password Hidden Behind Asterisks

This guide shows you how to reveal a password that is displayed as dots or asterisks in your browser, password manager, or a desktop application. You’ll learn simple methods using built-in browser tools, browser extensions, and the browser’s developer console, plus what to do when a site blocks the usual tricks.

What You’ll Need

A computer with a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, or similar)
The webpage or app where the hidden password appears
For the developer console method: basic familiarity with right-clicking and using keyboard shortcuts
For the extension method: permission to install browser extensions (some work or school browsers restrict this)

Step-by-Step

Try the browser’s built-in password manager first. In Chrome, Edge, or Firefox, click the key icon in the address bar (or the three-dot menu → Passwords) to see saved passwords for the current site. You’ll usually need to enter your computer’s login password or use your fingerprint to view them.
Use the “inspect element” method. Right-click the password field (the box with asterisks) and select Inspect or Inspect Element. The browser’s developer tools will open with the input element highlighted.
Change the input type. In the developer tools, find the line that looks like <input type="password" ...>. Double-click the word password and delete it, then type text and press Enter. The asterisks will instantly change to readable characters.
Use the console for a quicker toggle. If you prefer not to edit the HTML, open the developer console (F12 or right-click → Inspect, then click the Console tab). Type the following and press Enter: document.querySelector('input[type=password]').type = 'text'. This changes the first password field on the page to plain text.
For multiple password fields. If there are several password inputs (like a login and a confirm field), use a loop in the console: document.querySelectorAll('input[type=password]').forEach(f => f.type = 'text').
Use a browser extension. Install a reputable extension like “Show Password” or “Reveal Passwords” from your browser’s official add-on store. After installation, right-click the password field and choose the extension’s “reveal” option, or click the extension’s icon.
For desktop applications. Some apps (like password managers) have a built-in eye icon. Look for it near the password field. If not, check the app’s settings for a “show password” toggle. For most desktop apps, there is no universal method, so check the app’s help documentation.

Common Mistakes

Editing the wrong element. Make sure you inspect the actual password input field, not a wrapper div or a label. The field must have type="password".
Forgetting to press Enter after editing. If you change password to text but don’t press Enter, the change won’t apply.
Using the wrong selector in the console. If the site uses a different attribute (like data-password), the querySelector won’t find it. Use the Inspect method instead.
Expecting the change to be permanent. Changing the type only affects the current page session. Refreshing the page will revert it back to asterisks.

Tips

Use the eye icon first. Many modern sites (like Google, Facebook, and most banking portals) include a small eye icon inside the password field. Click it to toggle visibility without any tricks.
Check your password manager’s vault. If you saved the password in your browser, the vault is the safest way to retrieve it, as it doesn’t expose the password to the page’s scripts.
Be cautious with extensions. Only install extensions from your browser’s official store, and read the permissions they request. Some malicious extensions can steal passwords.
Use a temporary text editor. If you need to copy the password, after revealing it, copy it to a temporary notepad and delete it after use. Avoid saving it in plain text files.
For multiple fields, use the loop. The loop command works on all password fields at once, saving you time on sign-up forms with two password boxes.

Troubleshooting

The field doesn’t change to text. This usually means you edited the wrong element. Right-click again and choose Inspect, then verify the highlighted line starts with <input and contains type="password".
The console shows an error. If you get a message like “Cannot read properties of null”, it means the selector didn’t find any password field. Try using the Inspect method instead, or check if the password is inside an iframe (a separate embedded page). If it’s in an iframe, you need to switch the console context to that iframe using the dropdown at the top of the console.
The site uses JavaScript to re-hide the password. Some sites have scripts that detect the type change and revert it. In that case, the Inspect method may still work if you edit the HTML quickly, but the extension method is more reliable.
You can’t right-click on the field. Some sites disable the context menu. Try using the keyboard: press F12 to open developer tools, then use the element picker (the arrow icon in the top-left of the dev tools) and click the password field.
The password is stored in a third-party app. If the password is in a desktop password manager (like LastPass or 1Password), the browser method won’t work. Open the manager’s vault and use its reveal feature.
You’re on a mobile device. Long-press the password field and look for a “reveal password” option. If not, use the browser’s “request desktop site” option and then follow the desktop steps, or use the password manager’s app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to reveal a password this way?

Yes, as long as you are viewing your own password on your own device. It becomes illegal if you use these methods to access someone else’s password without permission.

Will the site know I changed the password type?

No. Changing the input type is a client-side action; it doesn’t send any data to the server. The site will not know you did it.

Does this work on all websites?

Most websites, yes, because they all use the same HTML type="password" attribute. However, some sites use custom components (like React-based ones) that may not respond to the type change. In those cases, try the extension or check the site’s own “show password” feature.

Can I see a password that is already saved in my browser?

Yes, go to your browser’s settings → Passwords, find the site, and click the eye icon. You’ll need to verify your identity (enter your computer password or use biometrics).

What if the password field is inside an iframe?

If the password is in an iframe (a separate embedded page), the console method won’t work until you switch the console’s context to that iframe. Use the dropdown at the top of the developer console to select the iframe, then run the command again.

Will this work on mobile browsers?

Not directly, because mobile browsers don’t have the same developer tools. However, you can use the “request desktop site” option and then follow the desktop steps, or use a password manager app that shows saved passwords.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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