Change Chrome's language in settings in under a minute

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Languages in the left sidebar. Find the language you want and click the three dots next to it, then select Display Google Chrome in this language. Chrome will restart automatically and show everything in your chosen language.

If your language does not appear in the list, click Add languages at the bottom, search for it, and select it. Then follow the same steps to set it as your display language. The change applies to menus, buttons, and most website text — though some websites may still show in their original language if they do not support your chosen language.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome's language setting is in Settings > Languages, and you can change it by clicking the three dots next to any language and selecting "Display Google Chrome in this language."
  • If your language is not listed, use the Add languages button to find and add it before setting it as your display language.
  • Changing Chrome's language does not change your operating system's language — only Chrome's interface and some website content.
  • You can add multiple languages and switch between them at any time without restarting your computer.

Where to find the language menu

The language settings are always in the same place in Chrome, whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux. Click the three vertical dots (called the menu button) in the top right corner of any Chrome window. A dropdown menu appears with options like New tab, New window, and Settings. Click Settings.

Once Settings opens, look at the left sidebar. You will see options like Autofill, Privacy and security, and Advanced. Scroll down in that sidebar until you see Languages. Click it, and the language panel opens on the right side of the screen.

How to set a language as your display language

In the Languages panel, you will see a list of languages already installed on your Chrome. Each one has three vertical dots on the right side. Find the language you want to use and click those three dots. A small menu appears with the option Display Google Chrome in this language. Click it.

Chrome will ask you to confirm the change. A notification appears saying the language has been changed, and Chrome restarts itself automatically. When it reopens, all the menus, buttons, and settings text will be in your chosen language. This usually takes just a few seconds.

Adding a language that is not in the list

If you do not see your language in the Languages panel, scroll to the bottom and click Add languages. A search box opens. Type the name of the language you want — for example, "Japanese" or "Portuguese" — and a list of matching languages appears. Click the one you want.

The language is added to your list when ready. Now you can click the three dots next to it and select Display Google Chrome in this language, just like any other language. You do not need to restart your computer; Chrome handles the restart on its own.

What changes and what does not change

Changing Chrome's language affects only Chrome itself — the menus, buttons, settings pages, and error messages you see inside the browser. It does not change your computer's operating system language, your keyboard layout, or any other programs you use. If you want to change your entire computer to a different language, you need to change your operating system settings separately.

Some websites may still appear in their original language even after you change Chrome's language. This happens when a website does not support your chosen language or when it detects your location and shows content based on that instead. You cannot force a website to display in a language it does not offer, but Chrome's built-in translation tool can translate web pages on the fly if you need that.

Switching between multiple languages

You can add as many languages as you want to Chrome and switch between them whenever you like. Each time you set a different language as your display language, Chrome restarts and shows everything in that language. This is useful if you work in multiple languages or share your computer with people who speak different languages.

To switch back to a previous language, go to Settings > Languages, find the language you want, click the three dots, and select Display Google Chrome in this language again. There is no limit to how many times you can switch, and no setting is permanent — you can change it back at any moment.

Changing the spell-check language

Chrome also has a separate spell-check language setting. When you type in a text box on a website, Chrome checks your spelling against a dictionary in your chosen spell-check language. By default, it uses the same language as your display language, but you can change it separately if you need to.

In the Languages panel, look for Spell check. Click the toggle next to it to turn spell-check on or off, and click the dropdown menu to choose which language Chrome should use for checking spelling. This is useful if you write in one language but want Chrome's interface in another.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing Chrome's language affect my passwords or saved information?

No. Changing the language only changes the text you see in Chrome's menus and settings. Your passwords, bookmarks, browsing history, and all other saved data remain exactly the same and are not affected by the language change.

Can I change the language for just one website instead of all of Chrome?

No, Chrome's language setting applies to the entire browser. However, most websites have their own language selector, usually in a menu or footer. You can use that to change the language of individual websites without changing Chrome itself.

What if I change Chrome's language and then want to change it back?

Go back to Settings > Languages, find your original language in the list, click the three dots next to it, and select Display Google Chrome in this language. Chrome will restart and return to your previous language. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want.

Does changing Chrome's language change my keyboard layout?

No. Chrome's language setting only changes the text in Chrome's interface. Your keyboard layout is controlled by your operating system, not by Chrome. If you need to type in a different language, you must change your keyboard layout in your computer's settings.

Why does some text on websites still appear in English after I change Chrome's language?

Websites control their own language independently of Chrome. If a website does not support your chosen language or detects your location, it may display in English or another language regardless of Chrome's setting. You can use Chrome's translation feature to translate a page by right-clicking and selecting Translate to [your language].