What cache is and why you might want to delete it
Cache is a folder on your computer where your browser stores copies of websites you visit — images, text, videos, and code. When you return to a site, your browser loads these stored copies instead of downloading them again, which makes pages load faster.
Over time, cache builds up and takes up disk space. More importantly, cached data can sometimes cause problems: a website might look broken because your browser is showing you an old cached version instead of the current one, or you might see outdated information. Deleting cache clears out these stored files and forces your browser to read fresh copies the next time you visit.
You do not need to delete cache often. Most people delete it once a month or when a website is not displaying correctly. If your computer is running low on storage space, clearing cache can free up several hundred megabytes or more, depending on how long it has been since you last cleared it.
Key Takeaways
- Cache is stored website data that makes pages load faster, but it takes up disk space and can show you outdated information.
- The steps to delete cache differ by browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge each have their own menu location and naming.
- You can delete all cache at once or choose a time range, such as the last week or month.
- Deleting cache will not delete your passwords, bookmarks, or browsing history unless you specifically choose those options.
- After you delete cache, websites may load slightly slower the first time you visit them while your browser downloads fresh copies.
How to delete cache in Google Chrome
Open Chrome and look at the top right corner. Click the three vertical dots (called the menu button) and select 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 the cache goes. Leave it on All time to delete everything, or click the dropdown to choose Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, or Last 90 days.
Make sure the checkbox next to Cached images and files is checked. You will see other checkboxes for cookies, browsing history, and passwords — leave these unchecked unless you want to delete those too. Then click the blue Clear data button. Chrome will delete the cache in a few seconds.
How to delete cache in Mozilla Firefox
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 labeled Cookies and Site Data. You will see a button that says Clear Data. Click it. A window will appear with two checkboxes: one for Cookies and Site Data and one for Cached Web Content. Make sure only Cached Web Content is checked, then click Clear.
If you want to choose a time range instead of clearing all cache, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Delete (on Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (on Mac). This opens the History window where you can select a specific time period before clearing.
How to delete cache in Safari
Open Safari. At the top of your screen, click Safari in the menu bar (not the address bar — the actual word "Safari" at the very top). A dropdown menu will appear. Click Clear History.
A window will pop up asking how far back you want to clear. Choose All history to delete all cache, or select the last hour, today, today and yesterday, or the last week. Then click Clear History. Safari will delete the cache when ready.
Note that Safari's "Clear History" button deletes both your browsing history and your cache at the same time — you cannot delete one without the other in Safari.
How to delete cache in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots (the menu button) in the top right corner. Click Settings. On the left side, click Privacy, search, and services.
Under the section labeled Clear browsing data, click the button that says Choose what to clear. A window will open. At the top, you will see a dropdown showing All time — click it to choose a different time range if you want. Make sure the checkbox next to Cached images and files is checked, then click Clear now.
Edge also offers a faster option: you can click the trash can icon in the top right corner of the browser window (next to the address bar) to clear cache without opening Settings, though this method gives you fewer choices about what to delete.
What happens after you delete cache
After you delete cache, your passwords, bookmarks, and saved usernames will still be there — deleting cache does not touch those. Your browsing history will also remain unless you specifically chose to delete it.
The first time you visit a website after clearing cache, the page may load slightly slower because your browser has to read all the images and code from scratch instead of using stored copies. After that first visit, the browser will start building up cache again automatically.
If you were trying to fix a website that looked broken or showed outdated information, refreshing the page after deleting cache usually solves the problem. You can also try the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+R (Windows) or Command+Shift+R (Mac) to do a "hard refresh," which forces your browser to read a fresh copy of the page without deleting your entire cache.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting cache delete my passwords?
No. Cache and passwords are stored separately. When you delete cache, you only remove stored website images and code. Your saved passwords stay on your computer unless you specifically check the box for passwords or login data before clearing.
How much space does cache usually take up?
Cache size varies widely depending on how much you browse and how long it has been since you last cleared it. For most people, cache takes up between 100 megabytes and 1 gigabyte. You can check your browser's cache size in Settings under storage or privacy options.
Why is a website still showing old information after I deleted cache?
If a page still looks wrong after clearing cache and refreshing, the problem might be on the website's server rather than your browser. Try visiting the site in a different browser, or wait a few hours and try again. You can also contact the website's support team to report the issue.
Can I delete cache automatically on a schedule?
Yes. Most browsers have a setting to delete cache automatically when you close the browser. In Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, go to Settings and look for privacy options — you will find a checkbox for "Clear cookies and cache on exit" or similar wording. Safari does not have this option built in.
What is the difference between cache and cookies?
Cache stores website images and code to make pages load faster. Cookies store small pieces of information like your login status or shopping cart contents. They serve different purposes, and you can delete one without deleting the other — though most browsers let you delete both at once if you choose.