Delete cookies in Chrome through Settings in three steps
Open Google Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy and security in the left sidebar. Choose Clear browsing data. A window will pop up — make sure the time range at the top is set to All time, check the box next to Cookies and other site data, and click Clear data. Your cookies are now deleted.
If you want to delete cookies from only the current browsing session instead of all time, you can change the dropdown at the top of that same window to Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, or Last 4 weeks. The choice depends on how far back you want to go.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting all cookies at once requires going to Settings, Privacy and security, then Clear browsing data, and selecting Cookies and other site data.
- You can delete cookies from a specific time period by changing the dropdown menu from All time to Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, or Last 4 weeks.
- After you delete cookies, you will be logged out of most websites and will need to sign back in the next time you visit them.
- Cookies deleted through Clear browsing data are gone permanently and cannot be recovered.
What happens when you delete cookies
When you delete cookies, Chrome removes small files that websites store on your computer to remember information about you. This means you will be logged out of most sites — Gmail, Facebook, your bank, shopping sites, and others. The next time you visit those sites, you will need to sign in again with your username and password.
Websites may also forget your preferences, like language settings or items in your shopping cart. Some sites may load more slowly the first time you visit after deleting cookies because they have to rebuild your profile from scratch. This is temporary — once you sign back in and browse normally, the sites will store new cookies and remember your information again.
Delete cookies for a single website
If you want to delete cookies from only one website instead of all of them, click the lock icon or information icon next to the website address in the address bar. Click Cookies and site data, then click the trash icon next to each cookie you want to remove. You can also click Manage to see all cookies from that site and delete them in bulk.
This approach is useful if you want to clear your history with one specific site — for example, to reset your recommendations on a shopping site or to log out without logging out of everywhere else. The cookies from other websites remain untouched.
Automatically delete cookies when you close Chrome
You can set Chrome to delete all cookies automatically every time you close the browser. Go to Settings, then Privacy and security, then Cookies and other site data. Toggle on Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome. From that point forward, every cookie will be deleted the moment you close the browser completely.
This setting does not delete cookies while you are browsing — only when you shut down Chrome entirely. If you close a single tab or window, cookies stay. You will still be logged out of websites the next time you open Chrome, so use this setting only if you do not mind signing in again each session.
The difference between clearing cookies and clearing browsing history
Cookies and browsing history are two separate things. Cookies are files websites store to remember you. Browsing history is the list of websites you have visited, which Chrome stores on your computer. When you clear browsing data, you can delete one, the other, or both.
If you want to delete only your browsing history without touching cookies, go to Settings, Privacy and security, Clear browsing data, and uncheck Cookies and other site data. Check only Browsing history instead. This removes the list of sites you visited but keeps you logged in to websites.
Why websites ask you to accept cookies
Websites ask for your permission to store cookies because of privacy laws in many countries. The cookies themselves are not harmful — they are just small text files. Some cookies let a website remember your login so you do not have to sign in every time. Others track which pages you visit so the site can show you relevant ads or recommendations.
You can refuse cookies when a website asks, though some sites may not work properly without them. Deleting cookies does not prevent websites from asking you to accept them again the next time you visit — you will see the same cookie notice repeatedly if you delete cookies frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting cookies delete my passwords?
No. Cookies and saved passwords are stored separately in Chrome. Deleting cookies will not affect your passwords. You will still be able to use Chrome's password manager to sign back in to websites after you delete cookies.
Can I delete cookies from just one day?
Yes. In the Clear browsing data window, change the dropdown at the top from All time to Last 24 hours. This deletes cookies from the past day only. If you need more precision, Last hour deletes only the past hour, and Last 7 days covers the past week.
What if a website stops working after I delete cookies?
Try signing back in to the website. Most sites need you to log in again after cookies are deleted. If the site still does not work, try clearing your browser cache as well — go to Settings, Privacy and security, Clear browsing data, and check Cached images and files in addition to Cookies and other site data.
Do I need to delete cookies regularly?
No. Deleting cookies is optional and depends on your privacy preferences. If you do not want websites to remember you or track your activity, delete them regularly. If you prefer staying logged in and having sites remember your preferences, you can leave cookies alone indefinitely.