What clearing your cache actually does

Your web cache is a folder on your computer or phone that stores copies of images, videos, and other files from websites you visit. When you return to a site, your browser loads these stored copies instead of downloading them again — which makes pages load faster. Clearing your cache deletes these stored files, which frees up storage space and can fix problems when a website looks broken or loads incorrectly.

The tradeoff is that websites will load slightly slower the next time you visit them, because your browser has to read everything fresh. For most people, this slowdown is barely noticeable. The main reason to clear cache is either to recover storage space on a device that is running low, or to force a website to reload its current version when something seems stuck or outdated.

Key Takeaways

  • Clearing cache deletes stored website files from your device and frees up storage space, but websites will load slightly slower on your next visit.
  • The steps differ depending on whether you use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge, and whether you are on a computer or phone.
  • You can clear cache for all time or just the last hour, day, or week — choose based on whether you want to keep some older files.
  • If a website looks broken or won't update, clearing cache often fixes the problem without affecting your passwords or saved usernames.

Clearing cache in Chrome on Windows or Mac

Open Chrome and look at the top right corner for three vertical dots (the menu button). Click those dots, then click Settings. On the left side, click Privacy and security, then click Clear browsing data.

A window will pop up. At the top, you will see a dropdown that says All time — this controls how far back to delete. Leave it on All time unless you only want to clear recent files. Make sure the box next to Cached images and files is checked. You can leave the other boxes unchecked if you want to keep your passwords and saved usernames. Click the blue Clear data button at the bottom right.

Clearing cache in Firefox on Windows or Mac

Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (the menu button) in the top right corner. Click Settings, then click Privacy & Security on the left side. Scroll down to the section called Cookies and Site Data. Click the button that says Clear Data.

A small window will appear. Make sure Cached Web Content is checked. The dropdown at the top controls the time range — Everything clears all cache, while you can choose Last Hour, Last 24 Hours, or Last 7 Days if you want to keep older files. Click Clear to finish.

Clearing cache in Safari on Mac

Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the very top of your screen. Click Settings (or Preferences on older versions). Click the Privacy tab. Click the button that says Manage Website Data.

A list of websites will appear. You can click individual sites and then click Remove to delete cache for just those sites, or click Remove All at the bottom right to clear everything at once. Click Done when finished.

Clearing cache in Edge on Windows

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 called 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 — All time clears everything. Make sure Cached images and files is checked. Click Clear now to finish.

Clearing cache on your phone

On iPhone or iPad: Open Settings, scroll down and tap Safari, then tap Clear History and Website Data. Choose whether to clear from the last hour, today, today and yesterday, or all time. Tap Clear History and Data to confirm.

On Android with Chrome: Open Chrome and tap the three dots in the top right corner. Tap Settings, then tap Privacy. Tap Clear browsing data. Make sure Cached images and files is checked, choose your time range at the top, and tap Clear data.

When to clear cache and what it won't affect

Clear your cache if a website looks wrong, won't load properly, or seems stuck showing old information. It is also worth clearing if your device is running low on storage space — cache can take up several gigabytes over time. You should clear cache at least once every few months as routine maintenance.

Clearing cache will not delete your passwords, usernames, or any files you have saved on your computer or phone. It only removes the temporary copies that websites store. If you want to keep your passwords but clear cache, make sure the box for Cookies and site data or Passwords is unchecked before you click clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my passwords?

No, unless you specifically check the box for passwords or cookies before clearing. Cache and passwords are stored separately. You can clear cache alone by unchecking the password box, which keeps your saved usernames and passwords intact.

How much storage space does cache usually take up?

Cache size varies widely depending on how much you browse and which sites you visit. It can range from a few hundred megabytes to several gigabytes. If your device is running low on storage, clearing cache is one of the fastest ways to free up space without losing important files.

Why does a website still look broken after I clear cache?

If clearing cache does not fix the problem, the issue is likely on the website's server, not your device. Try closing and reopening your browser, or try visiting the site on a different browser or device. If it still does not work, the website itself may be having problems.

Do I need to clear cache regularly?

You do not need to clear cache constantly, but clearing it every few months is good practice. If your device is running low on storage or a website is not loading correctly, clear it right away. Otherwise, once per season is enough for most people.

Is there a way to clear cache automatically?

Yes. In Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, you can set your browser to clear cache every time you close it. Look in Settings under Privacy or History, and find the option to clear data on exit. This keeps your cache from building up, though it means websites load slightly slower on your first visit each day.