The document root is the main directory on your web server where all publicly accessible website files are stored. When someone visits your domain (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com), the server looks in this specific folder to find and display your site's content—like HTML files, images, CSS, and scripts.

Think of it as the front door to your website. Only files placed inside the document root (or its subfolders) can be viewed by visitors. Common document root names include:

• public_html (used by many shared hosting providers)
• htdocs (often found on Apache servers)
• www or wwwroot

To locate your document root, check your hosting control panel (like cPanel or Plesk). It's crucial to upload your website's main files—especially index.html or index.php—directly into this folder. Placing them elsewhere (like a parent directory) will make your site appear broken or empty.

Remember: The document root is public-facing. Never store sensitive files (e.g., configuration files, databases, or private data) here, as they could be accessed by anyone. Use higher-level directories outside the document root for security.

Understanding and correctly using your document root ensures your website loads properly and stays secure.