Chrome themes change the colors and appearance of your browser window
A theme in Chrome is a visual skin that changes the colors of your toolbar, tabs, and background. It does not change how Chrome works — only how it looks. You can switch themes in about two minutes using Chrome's built-in theme store, and you can change back or try a different one whenever you want.
Chrome comes with a default light theme and a dark theme. Beyond those, you can read hundreds of free themes made by Google and other designers. Each theme is just a collection of colors and images; installing one does not affect your bookmarks, passwords, or browsing history.
Key Takeaways
- Open Chrome's theme store by clicking the three-dot menu, selecting "Settings," then "Appearance," then "Open Chrome Web Store" under Themes.
- Click any theme to see a preview of how your browser will look, then click "Add to Chrome" to install it.
- Your theme syncs across all devices where you are signed into Chrome, so changing it on your computer also changes it on your phone.
- You can switch back to the default theme or try a different one at any time without losing any of your data.
Finding and installing a theme through Chrome's settings
Start by opening Chrome and clicking the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window. This opens a menu. Click "Settings" near the bottom of that menu.
In Settings, look for "Appearance" in the left sidebar. Click it. You will see options for your theme under a section labeled "Themes." Click the button that says "Open Chrome Web Store" or "Browse all themes." This takes you to the Chrome Web Store, where all available themes live.
Scroll through the themes or use the search box at the top to find one you like. When you find a theme that interests you, click on it to see a full preview of how your browser will look with that theme applied.
Previewing and adding a theme to your browser
When you click a theme, Chrome shows you a large preview of your toolbar, tabs, and address bar in that theme's colors. This preview updates in real time as you hover over different themes, so you can compare several without committing to any of them.
Once you have decided on a theme, click the blue "Add to Chrome" button. A small popup will appear asking you to confirm. Click "Add theme." Chrome applies the theme when ready — your entire browser window changes color right away.
If you do not like the theme after installing it, you can remove it just as easily. Go back to Settings > Appearance > Themes, find the theme you installed, and click the three dots next to it. Select "Remove from Chrome."
Switching between themes you have already installed
If you have installed multiple themes, you can switch between them without downloading anything new. Go to Settings > Appearance > Themes. Under "Your themes," you will see all the themes you have added to Chrome. Click any one to explore it when ready.
The theme you are currently using will have a checkmark next to it. You can change themes as often as you want — there is no limit to how many times you can switch.
How themes sync across your devices
If you are signed into Chrome with a Google account, your theme choice syncs to every device where you use that account. If you change your theme on your laptop, the same theme appears on your phone or tablet the next time you open Chrome there.
This sync happens automatically and does not require any action from you. If you do not want your theme to sync, you can turn off sync for your entire Chrome profile, but that also stops syncing your bookmarks and passwords, so most people leave it on.
Returning to Chrome's default theme
Chrome comes with two built-in themes: Light and Dark. If you want to go back to the original appearance, go to Settings > Appearance > Themes and look for "Light" or "Dark" under "Your themes." Click whichever one you prefer.
The Light theme uses a white toolbar and light gray tabs. The Dark theme uses a dark gray or black toolbar and darker tabs. Both are always available and do not need to be downloaded.
Why your theme choice might not appear on some websites
A Chrome theme only changes the browser itself — the toolbar, tabs, address bar, and menus. It does not change the colors of websites you visit. Websites control their own colors and appearance, so a dark theme in Chrome does not make every website dark.
If you want websites to appear in dark mode, you need to enable dark mode in each website's settings, or use a separate browser extension designed to darken websites. Some websites like Gmail and YouTube have their own dark mode toggle in their settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create my own custom theme?
Chrome does not have a built-in tool for creating custom themes through the browser itself. However, you can use Chrome's Theme Creator tool on the web to design a theme and upload it to the Chrome Web Store. This requires some technical knowledge and a Google developer account.
Will changing my theme delete my bookmarks or passwords?
No. Themes only change the appearance of your browser. Your bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history, and all other data remain exactly the same no matter which theme you use.
Why do some themes look different on my phone than on my computer?
Chrome on phones and tablets has a different layout than Chrome on computers, so themes may look slightly different. The colors stay the same, but the toolbar and tab design are different because mobile screens are smaller and shaped differently.
Can I use a theme that is not in the Chrome Web Store?
You can install themes from outside the Web Store if you read them as files, but this requires turning on developer mode in Chrome. Most people find what they need in the official Web Store, which has hundreds of free options.