Change Chrome's display language in Settings
Open Chrome and select the three-line menu in the top right corner. Click Settings, then choose Languages from the left sidebar. Under "Languages," click Add languages and pick the language you want. Once added, hover over it and click the three dots next to it, then select Display Google Chrome in this language. Chrome will restart and show its menus, buttons, and interface in your chosen language.
The language you select here controls what you see in Chrome itself — the address bar, the settings menu, the bookmark bar, and all the buttons. It does not change the language of websites you visit. A website's language depends on what the website owner built, not on your Chrome settings.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome's display language is set in Settings > Languages, where you can add a new language and make it the default.
- Changing Chrome's language only affects Chrome's own interface, not the websites you visit.
- You can keep multiple languages installed and switch between them without restarting Chrome each time.
- If a language does not appear in the list, your device's operating system may not support it.
- Websites detect your language preference from your browser settings, but they choose whether to honor it.
Add a secondary language without making it the default
You do not have to make a language your main display language to use it. Go to Settings > Languages and click Add languages. Select the language you want and click Add. The language now appears in your language list, but Chrome continues to display in your original language.
This is useful if you want Chrome to offer translation suggestions for websites in that language, or if you want to switch languages temporarily without restarting the browser. You can manage multiple languages this way — add as many as you need, and switch the display language whenever you want by going back to Settings > Languages and clicking the three dots next to a language.
Switch languages without restarting Chrome
If you have already added multiple languages, you can change which one Chrome displays without closing and reopening the browser. Go to Settings > Languages, find the language you want to use, click the three dots next to it, and select Display Google Chrome in this language. Chrome will refresh and show the new language when ready in most cases.
Some parts of Chrome may not update until you close and reopen the browser completely. If you see a mix of languages after switching, close all Chrome windows and open Chrome again. The interface should then display entirely in your chosen language.
Websites may not respect your Chrome language setting
When you visit a website, it can see what language you have set in Chrome. Many websites use this information to show you content in that language automatically. However, the website owner decides whether to honor your language preference. A website built only in English will display in English regardless of your Chrome settings.
If a website offers multiple languages but is showing you the wrong one, look for a language selector on the page itself — usually a flag icon, a dropdown menu, or a link at the bottom of the page. Click it and choose your language directly. This choice usually stays for that website even if you change your Chrome language later.
Remove a language from Chrome
Go to Settings > Languages and find the language you want to remove. Click the three dots next to it and select Remove. The language disappears from your list when ready. If that language was set as your display language, Chrome will revert to your operating system's default language.
Removing a language does not affect websites or your browsing history. You can add it back anytime by going to Settings > Languages and clicking Add languages again.
Troubleshoot when your language does not appear in the list
If you cannot find a language in Chrome's language list, your device's operating system may not have that language installed. On Windows, go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region and add the language there. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Language & Region. Once your operating system supports the language, it should appear in Chrome's language list.
Some languages also require additional fonts or input methods to display correctly. If a language appears in Chrome but shows as boxes or garbled text on websites, your device may need a language pack. Check your operating system's language settings to install any missing fonts or input tools for that language.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing Chrome's language affect my Google account?
No. Your Chrome display language is separate from your Google account language. You can change your Google account language in your Google Account settings, which controls Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services. Your Chrome display language only affects Chrome itself.
Will changing Chrome's language change the language of my extensions?
Most extensions follow Chrome's display language automatically, but some do not. Extensions built by third-party developers may stay in their original language or offer their own language settings. Check an extension's options or settings page if it is not displaying in your chosen language.
Can I set different languages for different user profiles in Chrome?
Yes. Each Chrome profile has its own language setting. Create a new profile in Chrome, then go to that profile's Settings > Languages and choose a different language. When you switch profiles, Chrome switches to that profile's language.
What happens to my bookmarks and history if I change the language?
Your bookmarks, history, and all your saved data stay exactly the same. Changing Chrome's language only changes the words you see in Chrome's menus and buttons, not your personal data.
Why does my website still show in English after I changed Chrome's language?
The website owner may not have built a version in your language, or the website may not check your language preference. Look for a language selector on the website itself — usually at the bottom or in a menu. If the website only exists in English, there is no way to change it from Chrome's settings.