What browser cache is and why you might clear it
Browser cache is a folder on your computer where Chrome stores copies of images, scripts, and other files from websites you visit. When you return to a site, Chrome loads these stored copies instead of downloading them again, which makes pages load faster.
Over time, cache builds up and takes up storage space on your device. Clearing it can free up gigabytes of space, especially if you have not cleared it in months or years. You might also clear cache if a website is displaying outdated information, if you are troubleshooting a page that will not load properly, or if you want to remove the record of sites you have visited from your device.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome stores cached files in a folder on your computer to make websites load faster, but clearing it frees up storage space and can fix display problems.
- You can clear cache for all time or just the last hour, day, week, or month depending on how much you want to remove.
- Clearing cache will sign you out of most websites, so you will need to log back in afterward.
- You can set Chrome to clear cache automatically every time you close the browser if you prefer not to do it manually.
How to clear cache in three steps
Open Chrome and look at the top right corner of the window. Click the three vertical dots (called the menu button) to open a dropdown list. From that list, select Settings.
On the left side of the Settings page, click Privacy and security. Then click Clear browsing data. A window will pop up with checkboxes for different types of data Chrome can delete.
Make sure the box next to Cached images and files is checked. At the top of the window, use the dropdown that says Time range to choose how far back you want to clear. Select All time to remove everything, or pick a shorter period like Last hour, Last day, Last week, or Last 4 weeks. Then click the blue Clear data button at the bottom right.
What gets deleted and what stays
When you clear cached images and files, Chrome removes the stored copies of website content but does not touch your bookmarks, passwords, or browsing history unless you specifically check those boxes too. The cache folder itself remains on your computer—it just becomes empty and will start filling again as you browse.
Clearing cache will sign you out of most websites because the login information is stored separately. You will need to log back into Gmail, social media, banking sites, and other services after clearing. If you do not want to be signed out, uncheck the box next to Cookies and other site data before clicking Clear data, though this will leave some tracking information behind.
Clearing cache for a single website
If only one website is showing old information or not loading correctly, you do not need to clear your entire cache. Instead, visit that website and look at the address bar. Click the lock icon or information icon to the left of the web address, then look for a section labeled Cookies or Site settings. From there you can delete data for just that one site.
This approach is faster than clearing all cache and keeps you logged into other websites. It is useful when one page is stuck showing an old version or when a site is behaving strangely.
Setting Chrome to clear cache automatically
If you want Chrome to delete cache every time you close the browser, go back to Settings and click Privacy and security. Look for the section labeled Clear browsing data and toggle on the switch next to Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome. You can also check the box for Cached images and files in that same section to include cache in the automatic deletion.
With this setting turned on, you will not have to remember to clear cache manually, and your device will not accumulate old cached files over time. You will still be signed out of websites each time you close and reopen Chrome, so keep that in mind if you use the same device with other people.
How much space cache actually takes up
The amount of space cache uses depends on how long you have been using Chrome without clearing it and how many websites you visit. For most people, cache takes up between 100 megabytes and 2 gigabytes. If you have not cleared it in several years or if you watch a lot of video, it could be larger.
You can check how much space cache is using by going to Settings, clicking Privacy and security, then Clear browsing data. The window will show you the total size of the data Chrome is about to delete before you click the button. This gives you a sense of whether clearing cache will meaningfully free up space on your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache make Chrome run faster?
Clearing cache usually does not make Chrome run noticeably faster because the browser is designed to handle large caches efficiently. However, if your device is very low on storage space, freeing up gigabytes of cache can help your computer run more smoothly overall.
What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing browsing history?
Browsing history is the list of websites you have visited, which appears in your History menu. Cache is the stored files from those sites. Clearing history removes the list of sites you went to, while clearing cache removes the files those sites left behind. You can clear one without clearing the other.
Do I need to clear cache regularly?
There is no set schedule. Clear cache when your device is running low on storage, when a website is not displaying correctly, or when you want to remove the record of sites you have visited. Many people clear it once every few months, though some prefer to let Chrome do it automatically.
Will clearing cache delete my saved passwords?
No. Passwords are stored separately from cache. When you clear cache, the checkbox for Passwords and other sign-in data is unchecked by default, so your saved passwords remain. You will be signed out of websites, but Chrome will still have your passwords stored if you want to log back in.