Change YouTube's language in your account settings
YouTube displays in your browser's language by default, but you can override that in your account settings. Sign in to YouTube, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select Settings. On the left menu, click Language. A dropdown list shows available languages — select the one you want, and YouTube switches when ready. This change applies to every device where you sign into that account.
If you use YouTube without signing in, the language reverts to your browser's default. You can change your browser language separately in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge settings, but signing in to YouTube is faster if you have an account.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube language settings are in your account menu under Settings > Language, and the change applies across all your devices.
- Video captions and subtitles are separate from the interface language — you control them independently on each video's player.
- Auto-generated captions appear in your YouTube interface language by default, but you can change them to any language the creator has provided.
- If you watch videos in a language different from your interface language, you may need to turn on captions manually for each video.
Turn on captions and choose a subtitle language
Captions and subtitles are separate from YouTube's interface language. When you play a video, look for the CC button in the bottom right corner of the player. Click it to turn captions on. If the creator uploaded subtitles in multiple languages, a language menu appears next to the CC button — click it and select the language you want.
YouTube auto-generates captions in many languages if the creator did not provide them. Auto-generated captions usually appear in your YouTube interface language, but you can change them. Click the CC button, then the settings icon (gear) next to it, and select Subtitles. A menu shows available languages — pick the one you need. Auto-generated captions are less accurate than creator-provided ones, especially for technical terms or accented speech.
Use YouTube's auto-translate feature for captions
If a video has captions in one language but you want them in another, YouTube can translate them. Click the CC button, then the settings icon, and select Subtitles. Scroll down past the available languages — at the bottom, you see Auto-translate. Click it and choose your target language. YouTube translates the existing captions on the fly, though the translation quality depends on the original language and the target language.
Auto-translate works best between widely spoken languages like English, Spanish, French, and German. Translations between less common language pairs or into languages with different grammar structures may be less accurate. If you need precise translations, creator-provided subtitles in your language are always more reliable.
Change language for YouTube's mobile app
On the YouTube mobile app for iPhone or Android, tap your profile picture at the top right and select Settings. Tap General, then Language, and choose from the list. The app switches to that language when ready. Captions work the same way on mobile — tap the three dots on a video, select Captions, and choose your language or turn auto-translate on.
Mobile app settings are tied to your YouTube account, so changing the language on your phone also changes it on your computer if you sign in with the same account. If you use YouTube on mobile without signing in, the app uses your phone's system language.
Manage content language preferences for recommendations
YouTube's recommendation algorithm can favor videos in certain languages. In Settings, click Language and scroll down to Content language. You can select multiple languages here — YouTube will recommend videos in all of them. This is useful if you watch content in more than one language and want recommendations to reflect that.
Your content language preference does not change the interface language or captions. It only affects which videos YouTube suggests to you. If you want to see recommendations in a language you do not speak, you can set it here and rely on captions to understand the videos.
Fix YouTube showing the wrong language
If YouTube suddenly displays in an unexpected language, check three things. First, verify your account language in Settings — someone else may have signed in on your device. Second, check your browser language in your browser settings (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge all have language menus). Third, clear your browser cookies and cache, then sign back into YouTube. Cached data sometimes overrides your settings.
If you use a work or school account, your organization may have locked the language setting. Contact your IT department if you cannot change it. If you use a child account under Family Link, the parent account controls the language — the parent needs to change it in Family Link settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does YouTube show in English when I set it to another language?
YouTube may be reading your browser language instead of your account setting. Sign out completely, clear your browser cache, then sign back in. Check your browser's language settings — in Chrome, go to Settings > Languages and make sure your preferred language is at the top of the list. If you use a work account, your organization may have locked the language.
Can I have captions in one language while YouTube's interface is in another?
Yes. Your interface language and caption language are independent. You can have YouTube in English with Spanish captions, or any other combination. Set the interface language in Settings, then control captions individually on each video using the CC button and subtitle menu.
Do auto-generated captions work in all languages?
YouTube auto-generates captions in dozens of languages, but not all. Common languages like English, Spanish, French, German, and Mandarin are well supported. Less common languages may have limited or no auto-generation. If auto-captions are not available, you see only creator-provided subtitles if they exist.
What languages does YouTube support?
YouTube's interface is available in over 70 languages. Captions and auto-translate support varies — widely spoken languages have more options than regional ones. If your language is not listed in Settings, YouTube may not yet support it for the interface, though captions in your language may still be available on individual videos.