What clearing cache actually does

Your 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. Clearing the cache deletes all those stored copies.

You might clear cache to free up disk space, to force a website to load its newest version (useful if a page looks broken or outdated), or to remove records of where you've been browsing. The tradeoff is that websites will load slightly slower the next time you visit them, because Chrome has to read everything fresh.

Key Takeaways

  • Clearing cache removes stored website files from your computer but does not sign you out of accounts or delete your browsing history unless you choose those options too.
  • You can clear cache from the last hour, day, week, 4 weeks, or all time — you do not have to delete everything at once.
  • The fastest method is keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+Delete on Windows, Command+Shift+Delete on Mac.
  • If you want Chrome to clear cache automatically every time you close the browser, you can turn that on in Settings.

Clear cache using the keyboard shortcut

Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete on Windows or Command+Shift+Delete on Mac. This opens the Clear Browsing Data window directly.

At the top, you will see a dropdown that says "All time" by default. Click it to choose how far back to clear: Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, or All time. Select the timeframe you want.

Make sure the checkbox next to "Cached images and files" is checked — that is the cache. You will see other checkboxes for Cookies, Browsing history, and more. Leave those unchecked unless you want to delete them too. Then click the blue "Clear data" button.

Clear cache through the Chrome menu

If the keyboard shortcut does not work on your device, you can reach the same window through the menu. Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of Chrome, then select "Settings."

On the left side, click "Privacy and security," then click "Clear browsing data." This opens the same window as the keyboard shortcut. Choose your timeframe, make sure "Cached images and files" is checked, and click "Clear data."

Set Chrome to clear cache automatically

If you want Chrome to delete cache every time you close the browser, open Settings and go to "Privacy and security." Scroll down to "Clear browsing data" and toggle on "Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome."

When this is on, Chrome will automatically clear cookies and site data — but not cache — each time you close all Chrome windows. If you want to include cache in the automatic clearing, you need to use the keyboard shortcut or menu method above and select "All time" once, then turn on the automatic setting.

What clearing cache does and does not do

Clearing cache removes stored website files but does not sign you out of your Google account or any other accounts. You will still be logged in. It also does not delete your browsing history — that is a separate checkbox in the Clear Browsing Data window.

After you clear cache, websites may load a bit slower the next time you visit them because Chrome has to read all the files again. This slowdown is usually only noticeable on your first visit to a site; subsequent visits will be fast again as new cache builds up.

When you might want to clear cache

Clear cache if a website looks broken, shows outdated information, or will not load properly. Sometimes a website updates its code but your browser is still using an old cached version. Clearing cache forces Chrome to read the current version.

You might also clear cache to free up disk space if your computer is running low, though the cache folder is usually only a few hundred megabytes unless you have not cleared it in years. Clear cache for privacy reasons if you are using a shared computer and do not want other users to see which sites you visited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache sign me out of Gmail or other accounts?

No. Clearing cache removes stored website files but leaves your login cookies alone. You will stay signed in to Gmail, Facebook, and other accounts. If you want to sign out, you have to do that manually or check the "Cookies and other site data" box when clearing.

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 is between 100 and 500 megabytes. If you have not cleared it in years, it could be a gigabyte or more. You can see the size in the Clear Browsing Data window before you click the button.

Can I clear cache for just one website instead of all of them?

Not directly through the Clear Browsing Data window. You would have to clear all cache, or use Chrome's developer tools (right-click the page, select "Inspect," go to the process tab, and delete that site's storage). For most people, clearing all cache is simpler.

What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing cookies?

Cache stores website files like images and scripts to make pages load faster. Cookies store small pieces of data like login information and preferences. Clearing cache does not sign you out; clearing cookies does. You can clear one without the other.

Does clearing cache on Chrome also clear it on my phone?

No. Chrome on your phone has its own separate cache. To clear cache on Android, open Chrome, tap the three dots, go to Settings, tap "Privacy," then "Clear browsing data." On iPhone, go to Settings, scroll to Chrome, tap it, and toggle on "Clear Browsing Data."