What "new row" means and when you need it
Chrome organizes extensions in a grid on your extensions page. By default, extensions line up left to right across your screen. When you have many extensions, Chrome automatically wraps them to a second row, then a third. A new row is simply a way to manually group extensions by moving one to the start of a fresh line, rather than letting Chrome pack them tightly together.
You might want to do this to separate work extensions from personal ones, or to keep frequently used extensions at eye level without scrolling. Chrome does not have a formal "create row" button — instead, you control the layout by pinning extensions to the toolbar and arranging their order.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome extensions display in a grid, and you control their order by pinning them to the toolbar in the sequence you want.
- To start a new row, pin extensions in the order you want them, then unpin the ones you want to move down, so they drop below the pinned group.
- The extensions menu (puzzle icon) shows unpinned extensions; pinned ones appear directly on the toolbar.
- Your layout persists across browser sessions, so once you arrange extensions the way you want, they stay that way.
Pin extensions to the toolbar in your preferred order
The first step is to decide which extensions you want visible on the toolbar and in what order. Open Chrome and look for the puzzle icon (extensions menu) on the far right of the address bar. Click it to see all your extensions.
For each extension you want pinned to the toolbar, click the pin icon next to its name. Pinned extensions appear directly on the toolbar; unpinned ones stay hidden in the menu. The order in which you pin them determines their left-to-right position on the toolbar.
If you want to rearrange pinned extensions, right-click any pinned extension icon on the toolbar and select "Manage extensions." On the extensions page, you can drag pinned extensions left and right to reorder them. The toolbar updates instantly as you move them.
Unpin extensions to push them to a new row
Once you have pinned the extensions you want in the first row, unpin the ones you want to appear below. Click the puzzle icon, find the extensions you want to move, and click the pin icon again to unpin them. They disappear from the toolbar and return to the hidden menu.
This creates visual separation: pinned extensions stay on the toolbar in a tight group, and unpinned ones are out of sight. If your toolbar is narrow or you have many pinned extensions, Chrome may automatically wrap them to a second row on its own. The exact number of extensions per row depends on your screen width and browser window size.
Manage extensions from the toolbar directly
You can also right-click any extension icon on the toolbar to see quick options. Select "Manage extension" to open that extension's settings page, or "Remove from Chrome" if you no longer need it. This is faster than going through the extensions menu for extensions you use often.
If you want to see all extensions at once and reorganize them in bulk, click the puzzle icon and then select "Manage extensions" at the bottom of the menu. This opens the full extensions page, where you can pin, unpin, and drag extensions to reorder them all in one place.
Adjust your layout if the toolbar gets crowded
If you pin too many extensions, your toolbar becomes cluttered and pushes the address bar to the right. A good rule is to pin only the extensions you use several times a day. Everything else can stay in the menu and still be one click away.
If you find yourself scrolling through the extensions menu often, that is a sign you should pin more of them. Conversely, if your toolbar is so full that the address bar is hard to see, unpin the extensions you use least often. Chrome remembers your choices, so you can experiment and change your layout whenever your workflow changes.
Separate extensions by category using the menu
For more advanced organization, you can use Chrome's extension grouping feature. Open the extensions page (puzzle icon, then "Manage extensions"), and look for the three-dot menu next to each extension. Some extensions allow you to assign them to a group or add notes about their purpose.
This does not create a visual row on the toolbar, but it helps you keep track of which extensions do what. You can group all password managers together, all ad blockers together, and so on. When you open the extensions menu, you can see these groups and find what you need faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move an extension to a specific row number?
No, Chrome does not let you assign a row number directly. Instead, pin the extensions you want in the first row, then unpin the rest. If your toolbar is wide enough, pinned extensions stay on one line. If it is narrow, Chrome wraps them automatically. The width of your browser window and the number of pinned extensions determine where the break happens.
What happens to my extension layout if I resize my browser window?
Your pinned and unpinned status stays the same, but the visual layout may shift. A narrower window may cause pinned extensions to wrap to a second row. When you widen the window again, they may move back to one row. The pin status itself never changes — only the display.
Can I hide extensions I do not use without removing them?
Yes. Simply unpin them from the toolbar. They stay installed and active in the background, but they disappear from view. You can still access them by clicking the puzzle icon. If you want to remove them entirely, right-click the extension and select "Remove from Chrome."
Do I need to do anything to save my extension layout?
No. Chrome saves your pin and unpin choices automatically. The next time you open the browser, your extensions appear in the same order and visibility state. If you sign into Chrome on another device with the same Google account, your extension layout syncs there too.
Why do some extensions not have a pin icon?
Some extensions run in the background and do not have a toolbar icon. These extensions cannot be pinned because they have no visual element to display. You can still manage them from the extensions page, but they will not appear on the toolbar regardless of your settings.