Question: What is the final step of the Critical Rendering Path?
- Layout
- Paint
- Interactivity
- Construction of the render tree
Explanation
In HubSpot’s performance model, the Critical Rendering Path progresses through building the DOM and CSSOM, creating the render tree, running layout, and then drawing the final result. The last of those steps is Paint, which is when the browser actually places the computed pixels on the screen. Earlier stages prepare structure, styling, and positioning, but they do not display the finished page yet. The process ends only when that visual output is rendered to the user. HubSpot Developers
Why the other options are incorrect
Layout comes before Paint because it calculates element size and position rather than drawing the final pixels. HubSpot Developers
Interactivity is a performance outcome, not the final named stage in the Critical Rendering Path sequence. HubSpot Developers
Construction of the render tree happens earlier because the browser must combine the DOM and CSSOM before layout and Paint can occur. HubSpot Developers
Source for verification
https://developers.hubspot.com/docs/cms/best-practices/testing-staging-performance/speed
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