What clearing your cache actually does
Cache is temporary storage your browser keeps on your computer. When you visit a website, your browser saves images, scripts, and other files so the next time you visit that site, it loads faster — it pulls those files from your hard drive instead of downloading them again from the internet.
Clearing your cache deletes those saved files. The next time you visit those websites, your browser has to read everything fresh. This makes pages load slightly slower the first time, but it also means you see the current version of a website rather than an outdated cached version.
Most people clear their cache for one of three reasons: a website is displaying incorrectly or showing old information, they want to free up disk space, or they want to remove browsing history for privacy.
Key Takeaways
- Cache is temporary files your browser stores so websites load faster on repeat visits.
- Clearing cache removes those files and forces your browser to read fresh versions next time you visit a site.
- The steps differ depending on whether you use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge, but all browsers have a cache-clearing option in settings.
- You can set your browser to clear cache automatically when you close it, or clear it manually whenever you want.
How to clear cache in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. On the left side, click Privacy and security, then click Clear browsing data.
A window will pop up. At the top, you'll see a dropdown that says Time range — this controls how far back you want to clear. Choose All time to clear everything, or pick a specific range like Last hour or Last 7 days. Make sure the box next to Cached images and files is checked. Click the blue Clear data button.
Chrome will clear the cache in a few seconds. You don't need to restart the browser — it happens in the background.
How to clear cache in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (the menu button) in the top right. Click Settings. On the left, click Privacy & Security. Scroll down to the section labeled Cookies and Site Data. Click the button that says Clear Data.
A box will appear. Make sure Cached Web Content is checked — it should be by default. You can also check Cookies and Site Data if you want to clear those too, though that will log you out of websites. Click Clear.
Firefox clears the cache when ready. Like Chrome, you don't need to restart.
How to clear cache in Safari
Open Safari. In the menu bar at the very top of your screen, click Safari, then select Clear History. A dropdown menu will appear asking how far back you want to clear — choose all history to clear everything, or pick a time range.
Click Clear History. Safari will clear both your browsing history and your cache at the same time. You cannot clear cache without clearing history in Safari — they are linked together.
How to clear cache in Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Click Settings. On the left side, click Privacy, search, and services. Under the section Clear browsing data, click the button that says Choose what to clear.
A window will open. At the top, select your time range from the dropdown. Make sure Cached images and files is checked. Click Clear now. Edge will clear the cache in a few seconds.
Setting your browser to clear cache automatically
If you want your browser to clear cache every time you close it, you can turn on automatic clearing. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security and turn on Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome. In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security, scroll to Cookies and Site Data, and check Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed.
Edge has the same option: go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services and turn on Clear browsing data under Clear browsing data. Safari does not have an automatic clear-on-close option built in, though you can use keyboard shortcuts or third-party tools.
Turning on automatic clearing means you start fresh every session, but it also means websites will load slightly slower on your first visit each time you open the browser.
When you should clear your cache
Clear your cache if a website is showing outdated information or looks broken. Sometimes a website updates but your browser is still showing the old cached version. Clearing cache forces your browser to read the current version.
Clear your cache if you are using a shared computer and want to remove traces of where you have been. Clearing cache does not delete your browsing history — you need to clear that separately — but it does remove temporary files associated with your visits.
Clear your cache if you are running low on disk space. Cache can add up over time, especially if you browse heavily. Clearing it can free up several hundred megabytes or more, depending on how long it has been since you last cleared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing my cache log me out of websites?
No. Cache stores images and files, not login information. Logging out happens when you clear cookies, which is a separate action. You can clear cache without touching cookies, so you will stay logged in to your accounts.
How much space does cache actually take up?
It varies widely depending on how much you browse and how long it has been since you last cleared. For most people, cache takes up between 100 megabytes and 1 gigabyte. Clearing it is rarely urgent unless your hard drive is nearly full.
Is it safe to clear my cache?
Yes. Clearing cache cannot damage your browser or your computer. The only downside is that websites load slightly slower the first time you visit them after clearing, because your browser has to read files fresh instead of pulling them from storage.
What is the difference between cache and cookies?
Cache stores images, scripts, and other files to make websites load faster. Cookies store small pieces of information like your login status or your preferences. You can clear them separately — clearing cache does not affect cookies, and clearing cookies does not affect cache.
Do I need to clear my cache regularly?
Not unless you have a specific reason. If websites are displaying correctly and your hard drive has plenty of space, clearing cache is optional. Some people clear it monthly or quarterly; others only clear it when something goes wrong.