It is not guaranteed that a browser will be able to cache a page, even if you request it not to do so. The availability of storage space in the browser can play a role in whether or not the page gets cached. If there is enough space and it is safe to cache, the browser will likely store the page unless instructed otherwise. Keep in mind that while you can set maximum caching times, setting minimum times is not possible.
If you want to prevent caching, it is recommended to use HTTP headers (such as .htaccess) rather than using <meta>
elements. This is because modern browsers may ignore cache control meta tags in HTML5, leading network proxies to potentially cache files that shouldn't be stored.
Additionally, remember that <meta>
elements only apply to HTML files and not other types of resources, as highlighted by @dpix in the comments section.