Chrome saves your bookmarks to Google's servers, but you can read them as a single file to your computer anytime

When you export bookmarks from Chrome, you create an HTML file that contains every bookmark, folder, and subfolder you have saved. This file lives on your computer — not in the cloud — so you own it completely. You can use it to restore bookmarks if something goes wrong, move them to a different browser, or straightforward keep a backup copy separate from your Google account.

The export process takes about two minutes. Chrome does not offer a built-in "export" button in the settings menu the way some browsers do. Instead, you use the bookmark manager, which is a separate tool within Chrome that most people never open. Once you know where to find it, the steps are straightforward.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome exports bookmarks as a single HTML file that you save to your computer, not as individual files or folders.
  • You access the export function through the bookmark manager, which you reach by typing a keyboard shortcut or clicking the menu button.
  • The exported file includes all your bookmarks, folders, and the order they are in, but not your browsing history or saved passwords.
  • You can import this file into another browser later, or keep it as a backup on an external drive or cloud storage service.

Opening the bookmark manager in Chrome

The fastest way is to use the keyboard shortcut. On Windows or Linux, press Ctrl + Shift + B. On Mac, press Command + Shift + B. The bookmark manager will open in a new tab.

If the keyboard shortcut does not work, you can reach it through the menu. Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of Chrome. Hover over "Bookmarks" in the dropdown menu. Click "Bookmark manager" from the submenu that appears.

Exporting your bookmarks to an HTML file

Once the bookmark manager is open, look for the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the bookmark manager itself — not the Chrome window. Click those dots. A small menu will appear with several options.

Click "Export bookmarks". A dialog box will open asking you where to save the file. By default, Chrome names the file "bookmarks_[date].html" — for example, "bookmarks_1-15-2025.html". You can change the name if you want, but keeping the date in the filename is useful if you plan to export multiple times.

Choose where to save it. Your Downloads folder is fine for now, but if you want to keep this as a long-term backup, consider saving it to an external drive, a cloud storage folder like Google Drive or Dropbox, or both. Click "Save". The file is now on your computer.

What the exported file contains and what it does not

The HTML file includes every bookmark you have saved, organized in the same folder structure you created. If you have a folder called "Recipes" with subfolders for "Desserts" and "Breakfast", that structure will be preserved in the exported file. The file also records the order your bookmarks appear in.

The file does not include your browsing history, saved passwords, autofill information, or any other Chrome data. It is bookmarks only. The file is plain text wrapped in HTML code, so you can open it in any text editor if you want to look inside, though the raw code is not straightforward to read.

Using the exported file later

If you switch to a different browser — Firefox, Safari, Edge, or another option — you can import this HTML file into that browser's bookmark system. Each browser has its own import process, but they all accept the standard HTML bookmark format that Chrome exports.

If you stay in Chrome but need to restore your bookmarks after a problem, you can import the file back into Chrome. Open the bookmark manager again, click the three dots, and select "Import bookmarks". Navigate to your HTML file and select it. Chrome will add all the bookmarks from the file back into your account.

You can also keep the file as a straightforward backup. Store it on an external hard drive, a USB stick, or in a cloud storage folder. If your Google account is ever compromised or you lose access to it, you will still have a copy of your bookmarks.

Organizing your bookmarks before exporting

Before you export, consider cleaning up your bookmarks. If you have hundreds of old links you no longer use, delete them now rather than backing up clutter. Open the bookmark manager, find folders or individual bookmarks you do not need, right-click them, and select "Delete".

You can also rename folders to make them clearer, or reorganize them into a structure that makes sense to you. Drag and drop bookmarks between folders to rearrange them. These changes will be reflected in the exported file, so taking a few minutes to organize now means your backup will be organized too.

Keeping backups current

Your exported HTML file is a snapshot of your bookmarks at the moment you created it. If you add new bookmarks or delete old ones after exporting, those changes will not appear in the file. If you want your backup to stay current, export your bookmarks again every few months, or whenever you have made significant changes.

You can overwrite the old file with the new one, or keep multiple versions with different dates in the filename. Keeping a few versions is useful if you accidentally delete something and want to recover it from an older backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I export just one folder of bookmarks instead of all of them?

Chrome's export function exports all bookmarks at once. If you only want to back up one folder, you can right-click that folder in the bookmark manager and select "Export" — but this feature is not available in all versions of Chrome. Your safest option is to export everything, then delete the folders you do not need from the HTML file using a text editor.

What if I cannot find the three dots in the bookmark manager?

The three dots appear in the top right corner of the bookmark manager tab. If you do not see them, make sure you are looking at the bookmark manager itself, not the Chrome window behind it. Try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the bookmark manager with the keyboard shortcut.

Is the exported HTML file safe to store in cloud storage?

Yes. The file contains only URLs and folder names — no passwords, credit card numbers, or personal information beyond what is visible in your bookmark titles. Storing it in Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or similar services is a reasonable backup strategy. Keep a copy on your computer as well.

Can I edit the HTML file to add or remove bookmarks?

Technically yes, but it is not recommended unless you know HTML. The file uses a specific format, and editing it incorrectly can make it unreadable when you try to import it back into Chrome. It is safer to import the file, make changes in Chrome, and export again.

What happens to my bookmarks if I do not export them?

Your bookmarks stay in your Google account as long as you have access to it. If you lose your password, forget your recovery email, or your account is compromised, you could lose access to them. Exporting creates a copy you control, separate from your account.