# Change language in Chrome: step-by-step guide

Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari – the [choice of internet browsers is huge](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/technical-matters/the-best-browsers-for-windows-and-mac/ "The best browsers for Windows and Mac"). But there are clear favorites: **Around 60% of worldwide internet users** prefer Google’s Chrome browser. Its advantages include excellent performance as well as strong user-friendliness.

Like most browsers, Chrome **automatically selects a language**. But it might not always be the right one for you. In some cases, Chrome can also switch language without warning. This occurs primarily after running updates. However, the browser allows you to easily adjust the language setting manually. We’ll guide you through the steps to change language settings in Google Chrome.

## Google Chrome: navigation options and settings

When you open Chrome for the first time after downloading it, the browser will select a language that matches your operating system’s language. Google’s browser also configures other settings automatically for you: Chrome saves all websites you visit, for example. The larger the archive and the more storage space required, the slower the browser performance will be. To prevent this, we recommend that you **regularly delete your browser history**. Find out how to do this in our article [“Chrome: Deleting the Browser History – How It Works”](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/how-to-clear-history-in-chrome/ "How to clear history in Chrome"). To save selected web addresses permanently for quick access, you can also use the practical feature to [create bookmarks](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/chrome-importing-bookmarks/ "Chrome Importing Bookmarks").

But before you start using Google Chrome, the navigation options and menu should be displayed in the most convenient language for you. Here’s how to change the default language.

## How to change the default language in Chrome

To change the language, **first open the browser**. Before you change the Chrome language, it’s a good idea to **save** any content you might need later. Otherwise, the content will be lost because the browser will restart after the language update. Once you’ve saved important files and content, simply follow our guide.

### Step 1: Open Chrome settings

Open the **browser menu** by right-clicking on the three-point icon. Next, select the menu item “**Settings.**” Alternatively, you can access the Chrome settings by entering “chrome://settings/” in the address bar.

[![Image: Google Chrome: “Settings” in the quick menu](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/2/4/csm_google-chrome-settings-in-the-quick-menu_8a6d699b61.webp "Google Chrome: “Settings” in the quick menu")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/google-chrome-settings-in-the-quick-menu.png) Select the “Settings” item in the quick menu in Google Chrome.       ###  Step 2: Open advanced options

**Scroll down** to the settings and click on the “**Advanced**” button to open additional options.

[![Image: The “Settings” menu in the Google Chrome browser](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/d/e/csm_settings-menu-in-the-google-chrome-browser_797df65bee.webp "The “Settings” menu in the Google Chrome browser")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/settings-menu-in-the-google-chrome-browser.png) Select the “Advanced” menu item to open additional options.       ###  Step 3: Change Google Chrome language

In the newly opened section, scroll down to the “Languages” section. You can configure the Chrome language using the first option. Simply click on “**Language.**”

[![Image: “Languages” menu in the Chrome browser settings](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/b/7/csm_languages-menu-in-the-chrome-browser-settings_d5f92483a3.webp "“Languages” menu in the Chrome browser settings")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/languages-menu-in-the-chrome-browser-settings.png) Select the “Language” to adjust the settings for the language displayed by the Chrome browser.       The next step depends on whether your **preferred language is already shown or not**:

#### The preferred language is listed:

If your preferred language is already listed, click on the three points in the corresponding row.

[![Image: Selecting language in the “Languages” menu in the Google Chrome browser](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/4/f/csm_selecting-language-in-the-google-chrome-browser_d5d386fba6.webp "Selecting language in the “Languages” menu in the Google Chrome browser")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/selecting-language-in-the-google-chrome-browser.png) If the desired language is already shown, open the respective menu by clicking on the three-point icon.       Next, choose “**Display Google Chrome in this language.**”

[![Image: Google Chrome: language settings for the display settings](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/6/a/csm_google-chrome-language-settings-for-the-display-settings_996a1e421d.webp "Google Chrome: language settings for the display settings")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/google-chrome-language-settings-for-the-display-settings.png) Place a checkmark in the box “Display Google Chrome in this language” to select the menu language.       ####  The preferred language is not listed:

If the desired language is not shown in the list, select “**Add languages**”:

[![Image: "Add languages” button in Chrome settings](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/e/0/csm_add-languages-button-in-chrome-settings_d41a463cfd.webp ""Add languages” button in Chrome settings")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/add-languages-button-in-chrome-settings.png) Select “Add languages” if your preferred language option is not shown in the “Languages” list.       You’ll have two options in the selection menu that follows:

- Scroll through all available languages and select the preferred variant using a mouse click.
- Look for the language using the **search function** and select the relevant control box.

Then, click on “**Add**” to save the settings:

[![Image: Adding a language in Google Chrome](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/a/8/csm_adding-a-language-in-google-chrome_de6fda574f.webp "Adding a language in Google Chrome")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/adding-a-language-in-google-chrome.png) Find your preferred language using the search function or by scrolling to add it to the list of your display languages.       The desired language will now be shown in the list. To **activate** it, follow the step above for “**The preferred language is listed.**”

### Step 4: Restart Chrome

In order for Chrome to now display this newly selected language, click on “**Restart.**” The browser will close automatically. When it reopens, the browser interface will appear in the new language.

[![Image: Language settings in the Google Chrome browser](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/4/8/csm_language-settings-in-the-google-chrome-browser_241a1206d7.webp "Language settings in the Google Chrome browser")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/language-settings-in-the-google-chrome-browser.png) By clicking on “Restart”, the altered settings will be applied.       ##  Quick overview: changing the Chrome browser language

Here’s an **overview of the key steps** for changing the Chrome language:

1. Open the menu item “**Settings.**”
2. Expand the displayed settings and scroll down to the “**Language**” section.
3. Choose the preferred language and select “**Display Google Chrome in this language**”.
4. If the preferred language is not listed, select the option “Add languages.”
5. Finally, click on “**Restart**”.
6. After restarting the browser, the new language settings will be activated.


This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/change-chrome-language/](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/change-chrome-language/) for AI/LLM consumption.