Online R Console (WebR) | Run R Code in Your Browser

Key Takeaways: Online R Console

Tip

• Zero installation: Run R code directly in your browser without downloading or installing anything
• Full R functionality: Access core R features and many popular packages
• Client-side execution: All processing happens locally in your browser for privacy and speed
• Perfect for: Quick calculations, learning R, testing code snippets, and simple data analysis
• Limitations: Memory constraints and limited package availability compared to full R installation

What is the WebR Online Console?

This free online R console provides a complete R programming environment that runs entirely in your web browser. Powered by WebR (WebAssembly R), it allows you to execute R code, visualize data, and perform statistical analyses without installing any software on your computer.

Whether you’re a student learning R, a data scientist needing a quick calculation, or a researcher wanting to test code before implementing it in your main environment, this browser-based R console offers a convenient and accessible solution.

How to use this console effectively

Getting Started with the Online R Console

Basic Usage

• Type R commands directly into the console and press Enter to execute
• Multi-line code can be entered by pressing Shift+Enter to create new lines
• Use the up/down arrow keys to navigate through command history
• Clear the console with Ctrl+L or by typing cat("\014")

Example Commands to Try

# Basic calculations
2 + 2 * 5

# Statistical functions
mean(c(12, 15, 18, 22, 25, 30))
sd(c(12, 15, 18, 22, 25, 30))

# Generate and plot some data
hist(rnorm(100))

# Create and manipulate a dataframe
df <- data.frame(
  x = 1:10,
  y = 10:1,
  z = 11:20
)
summary(df)
plot(df$x, df$y)

Available Packages

While WebR includes many core R packages, not all CRAN packages are available. Some available packages include:

• stats: For statistical calculations
• graphics and ggplot2: For data visualization
• dplyr: For data manipulation
• datasets: For sample datasets

Limitations

• Memory constraints: Browser-based R has less memory available than desktop R
• Limited package support: Not all R packages are available
• No file system access: Limited ability to read or write files
• Performance: Complex operations may be slower than in desktop R

What is WebR?

WebR is an innovative project that compiles the entire R language into WebAssembly, allowing it to run completely within web browsers. Developed with support from the R Consortium, WebR opens up new possibilities for:

• Interactive educational resources - Learn R programming with immediate feedback
• Data science tools - Analyze data without leaving your browser
• Interactive reports - Create dynamic documents with embedded, executable R code
• Reproducible research - Share analyses that others can run without installing software

WebR maintains compatibility with standard R, meaning most R code will work the same way in both environments, though with some performance and availability limitations in the browser context.

Common Questions About the WebR Console

Can I save my R code and results from this console?

You can copy and paste your code and results from the console to save them elsewhere. This WebR console doesn’t currently support saving sessions directly, but you can easily transfer your work to a local R environment when needed.

Is my data secure when using this online R console?

Yes. Unlike server-based R consoles, WebR runs entirely within your browser. Your code and data never leave your computer, providing excellent privacy and security for your analyses.

What are the main differences between WebR and regular R?

While WebR maintains compatibility with regular R, there are some key differences: - WebR has less memory available than desktop R - Not all R packages are available for WebR - Some operations may be slower in WebR than in desktop R - WebR has limited file system access

Can I install additional R packages?

WebR supports installing a limited set of packages using webr::install(). However, not all CRAN packages are compatible with the WebAssembly environment. Core statistical and visualization packages are available.

Other R Tools and Resources

If you found this online R console helpful, you may also be interested in these related tools:

• StatFusion: Statistical Analysis Tools - Browser-based statistical analysis platform
• How to Use R in VSCode - Setup guide for using R in Visual Studio Code
• Online Python Console - Browser-based Python environment
• R Data Visualization Gallery - Examples of R visualizations with code
• Statistical Tests in R - Guide to performing statistical tests in R