Chrome lets you change its color through themes, which alter the toolbar, tabs, and background
You can change Chrome's appearance in two ways: by installing a theme from the Chrome Web Store, or by adjusting the color scheme in Chrome's settings. Themes change the look of your toolbar, tabs, and the new tab page background. The color scheme setting lets you pick between light mode, dark mode, or automatic switching based on your system settings. Both take less than a minute to set up.
Themes are free and do not affect how websites look or how Chrome performs. You can switch between them as often as you want, and your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay the same no matter which theme you use.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome themes from the Web Store change your toolbar, tab colors, and new tab page background, and you install them with a single click.
- The color scheme setting in Chrome settings lets you switch between light, dark, or automatic modes without installing anything.
- Removing a theme returns Chrome to its default appearance, and you can switch between themes as often as you want.
- Themes are free and do not affect how websites look or how Chrome performs.
Installing a theme from the Chrome Web Store
Open Chrome and go to chrome.google.com/webstore. Click the search icon at the top left and type "themes" to see the available options. You will see hundreds of themes organized by color, style, and category — solid colors, nature scenes, abstract designs, and branded themes for sports teams or entertainment franchises.
Click on any theme that interests you. A preview will show you how it will look in your browser. Click the blue Add to Chrome button. Chrome will ask you to confirm — click Add theme. The theme applies immediately to your toolbar, tabs, and new tab page background. You do not need to restart Chrome.
If you want to try a different theme later, go back to the Web Store, find a new theme, and click Add to Chrome again. The new theme replaces the old one automatically. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay the same.
Changing your color scheme in settings
If you do not want to install a theme, you can adjust Chrome's built-in color scheme instead. Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of Chrome and select Settings. On the left side, click Appearance.
Under "Color scheme," you will see three options: Light, Dark, and Use device default. Click the one you want. Light mode shows a white toolbar and tabs. Dark mode shows a dark gray or black toolbar and tabs. Use device default matches whatever your computer or phone is set to — if your system switches to dark mode at night, Chrome will too.
This setting does not install a theme. It only changes whether Chrome uses light or dark colors. If you want more visual variety than light and dark, you will need to install a theme from the Web Store instead.
Removing or switching themes
To remove a theme and return Chrome to its default look, click the three vertical dots in the top right and select Settings. Click Appearance on the left. Under "Themes," you will see the theme you currently have installed. Click the three dots next to it and select Remove from Chrome. Chrome returns to its default appearance immediately.
You can also switch themes without removing the old one. Just go to the Chrome Web Store, find a new theme, and click Add to Chrome. The new theme replaces the old one right away. There is no limit to how many times you can switch.
What themes do and do not change
Themes change the color of Chrome's interface — the toolbar at the top, the tab bar, the address bar, and the new tab page background. They do not change how websites look. If you install a blue theme, the websites you visit will still look exactly the same. The theme only affects the browser frame around the website.
Themes also do not affect Chrome's speed, security, or how your bookmarks and passwords work. They are purely visual. You can switch themes as often as you want without losing any of your data or changing how Chrome functions.
Finding themes that match your style
The Chrome Web Store organizes themes by category. You can search for "dark themes," "colorful themes," "minimalist themes," or the name of a specific color like "blue" or "purple." You can also search for branded themes — many sports teams, movies, and TV shows have official Chrome themes available.
Each theme page shows a preview of what it will look like in your browser before you install it. Read the reviews and look at the preview carefully to make sure it matches what you want. If you install it and do not like it, you can remove it or switch to a different one in seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my Chrome theme affect my passwords or bookmarks?
No. Themes only change the appearance of Chrome's interface. Your bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history, and all your data stay exactly the same. You can switch themes or remove them without losing anything.
Can I use both a theme and the color scheme setting at the same time?
If you have a theme installed, the color scheme setting does not do anything — the theme controls the look. If you remove the theme, then the color scheme setting takes effect. You can use one or the other, but not both together.
Do themes work the same way on Chrome for Android and iPhone?
No. Chrome on phones does not support themes from the Web Store. On Android and iPhone, you can only change the color scheme between light and dark in Chrome settings. The appearance options are more limited on mobile than on desktop.
What happens if I uninstall and reinstall Chrome?
If you are signed into your Google account in Chrome, your theme will come back when you reinstall it, because Chrome saves your settings to your account. If you are not signed in, you will need to reinstall the theme manually after reinstalling Chrome.