What clearing your cache does
Your web cache is a folder on your computer where your browser stores copies of images, videos, and other files from websites you visit. The next time you go back to that site, your browser loads the cached copy instead of downloading it again — which makes pages load faster. Over time, this cache folder grows and can take up several gigabytes of space.
Clearing your cache deletes those stored files and frees up disk space. It also removes the record of websites you've visited, which some people do for privacy reasons. After you clear it, websites will load slightly slower the first time you visit them, because your browser has to download everything fresh. But the cache rebuilds automatically as you browse.
Most people clear their cache once every few months, or when their computer is running slowly and they want to reclaim space. You won't lose any passwords, bookmarks, or saved information — those are stored separately.
Key Takeaways
- Your cache is a storage folder that holds copies of website files to make pages load faster, and clearing it frees up disk space on your computer.
- The steps to clear your cache are different depending on whether you use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — each browser has its own cache location.
- You can set your browser to clear the cache automatically every time you close it, or clear it manually whenever you choose.
- Clearing your cache will not delete your passwords, bookmarks, or browsing history unless you specifically tell it to.
How to clear cache in Google Chrome
Open Chrome and look at the top right corner of the window. Click the three vertical dots (called the menu button). A dropdown list will appear.
Click Settings from that menu. On the left side of the page that opens, click Privacy and security. Then click Clear browsing data.
A box will pop up with several options. At the top, you'll see a dropdown that says "All time" — this controls how far back the cache deletion goes. Leave it on "All time" unless you only want to clear recent cache. Make sure the checkbox next to Cached images and files is checked. You can uncheck the other boxes if you want to keep your history and cookies. Then click the blue Clear data button.
Chrome will delete the cache in a few seconds. You'll see a message confirming it's done. Close the Settings tab and you're finished.
How to clear cache in Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (the menu button) in the top right corner. Click Settings.
On the left side, click Privacy & Security. Scroll down until you see the section called Cookies and Site Data. Click the button that says Clear Data.
A box will appear. Make sure Cached Web Content is checked. Leave the time range set to "Everything" unless you only want to clear recent cache. Click Clear.
Firefox will clear the cache immediately. Close the Settings tab when you're done.
How to clear cache in Safari
Open Safari. At the top of your screen, click Safari in the menu bar (not inside the browser window — in the very top menu of your Mac). A dropdown will appear.
Click Clear History. Another box will pop up asking how far back you want to clear. Select all history from the dropdown. Then click Clear History.
This clears your browsing history and cache at the same time in Safari — you can't separate them. The cache will be deleted within a few seconds.
How to clear cache in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots (menu button) in the top right corner. Click Settings.
On the left side, click Privacy, search, and services. Under the section called Clear browsing data, click the button that says Choose what to clear.
A box will appear. Make sure Cached images and files is checked. At the top, set the time range to All time unless you only want recent cache deleted. Click Clear now.
Edge will delete the cache in a few seconds. You can close the Settings window when it's done.
Set your browser to clear cache automatically
If you want your cache cleared every time you close your browser, you can turn on automatic clearing. This takes a few extra seconds when you shut down, but you'll never have to manually clear it again.
In Chrome: Go to Settings, click Privacy and security, then turn on the toggle next to Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome. From now on, your cache will clear automatically.
In Firefox: Go to Settings, click Privacy & Security, and scroll to Cookies and Site Data. Check the box next to Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed. This will clear your cache along with cookies.
In Safari: Click Safari in the top menu, then Settings. Click the General tab. Check the box next to Remove history items and select after one day (or another time period you prefer). Safari will then clear cache and history on that schedule.
In Edge: Go to Settings, click Privacy, search, and services, and turn on the toggle next to Clear browsing data. Then select Choose what to clear every time you close the browser and check Cached images and files.
What to know before you clear cache
Clearing your cache will not delete your saved passwords, unless you specifically check that box during the clearing process. Your bookmarks and browsing history are also stored separately and won't be affected unless you tell the browser to clear those too.
After you clear your cache, websites may load a bit slower the first time you visit them, because your browser has to download all the images and files again. This is temporary — the cache rebuilds as you browse normally, and pages will speed up again within a few days of regular use.
If you're trying to fix a website that looks broken or won't load properly, clearing the cache is often the first thing to try. Sometimes an old cached version of a page can cause display problems, and a fresh download fixes it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much space does clearing cache usually free up?
It depends on how long it's been since you last cleared it and how much you browse. Most people free up between 100 megabytes and 2 gigabytes. You can check how much cache you have before clearing by looking at your browser's storage settings — Chrome and Edge show this number in the Privacy and security section.
Will clearing cache log me out of websites?
Clearing cache alone will not log you out, because login information is stored in cookies, not the cache. However, if you also clear cookies during the same process, you will be logged out of most sites. You can uncheck the cookies box if you want to stay logged in.
Is it safe to clear cache?
Yes, it's completely safe. You're only deleting temporary files that your browser can rebuild. You won't lose any important data, passwords, or settings. The worst that happens is websites load a bit slower for a day or two while the cache rebuilds.
Can I clear cache for just one website instead of everything?
Most browsers don't have a built-in way to clear cache for a single site. The easiest workaround is to open that website, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac) to open the cache clearing menu, and set the time range to "Last hour" or "Last day" — this clears only recent cache, which usually includes just that one site.
What's the difference between cache and cookies?
Cache stores images, videos, and page files to make websites load faster. Cookies store small pieces of information like your login status, preferences, and what's in your shopping cart. Both take up space, but cookies are much smaller. You can clear them separately or together.