Change Chrome's display language in three steps
Google Chrome lets you change the language it displays menus, buttons, and settings in. You do this through Chrome's Settings page, and the change takes effect after you restart the browser. The process is the same whether you use Chrome on Windows, Mac, or Linux.
Chrome will also offer to translate web pages written in other languages if you want it to — that is a separate feature you can turn on or off independently. This guide covers changing Chrome's own interface language, not translating the websites you visit.
Key Takeaways
- Open Chrome Settings, go to Languages, and click the language you want from the list to make it your default.
- Chrome displays its interface in your chosen language after you close and reopen the browser.
- You can add multiple languages to Chrome and switch between them without restarting.
- The translate feature for web pages is separate from the interface language and can be turned on or off in the same Languages section.
- If your language does not appear in the list, Chrome may not support it yet, but you can still translate individual pages.
Open Chrome Settings and find the Languages section
Start by opening Google Chrome. In the top right corner, you will see three vertical dots (called the menu button). Click on it, then click Settings from the dropdown menu that appears.
Once Settings opens, look at the left sidebar. Click on Languages. If you do not see it immediately, scroll down the sidebar — it appears below "Autofill" and above "Privacy and security" on most versions of Chrome.
The Languages page shows your current language at the top, followed by a list of other languages you can add. Below that is a section for translation settings.
Set your preferred language as the default
On the Languages page, look for the language you want to use. If it is already listed under "Languages," hover over it and click the three dots that appear on the right side of that language's row. Select Display Chrome in this language.
If your language is not in the list yet, click the Add languages button at the bottom of the Languages section. A window will pop up showing all available languages. Find and click the language you want, then click Add. Once it appears in your list, hover over it and click the three dots, then select Display Chrome in this language.
Chrome will show you a notification asking if you want to restart the browser now. Click Relaunch to apply the change immediately. If you click Not now, the new language will take effect the next time you close and reopen Chrome completely.
Restart Chrome to see the change
After you click Relaunch, Chrome closes and reopens automatically. All menus, buttons, settings labels, and other text in Chrome's interface will now display in your chosen language. This includes the address bar suggestions, the bookmark menu, and the settings pages themselves.
If you change your mind, you can repeat these steps and select a different language at any time. Chrome stores your choice and remembers it even after you close and reopen the browser.
Add multiple languages without changing the interface
You can add languages to Chrome without making them your default interface language. This is useful if you want to keep Chrome's menus in English but add other languages for reference or for the translation feature.
Go back to Settings > Languages and click Add languages. Select the languages you want to add and click Add. These languages will appear in your list but will not change Chrome's interface unless you specifically select Display Chrome in this language for one of them.
Turn the translation feature on or off
Chrome can automatically offer to translate web pages that are written in languages other than your default. This happens separately from your interface language setting. On the Languages page, scroll down to find Google Translate.
If you see a toggle switch next to "Offer to translate pages that aren't in a language you read," you can turn this feature on or off. When it is on, Chrome will show a popup at the top of the page when you visit a website in a language you have not set as your default. You can click the popup to translate the page, or dismiss it if you do not want to translate.
You can also control which languages trigger the translation offer. Below the main toggle, you may see an option to manage which languages should prompt translation. This lets you exclude certain languages if you prefer not to see translation offers for them.
What to do if your language is not available
Chrome supports most major languages, but not every language in the world is available as an interface language. If you cannot find your language in the full list, Chrome may not yet support it for the interface itself.
However, you can still translate individual web pages into your language using Chrome's translation feature. Add your language to your list (even if it is not available as an interface language), then turn on the translation feature. When you visit a page in another language, Chrome will offer to translate it into your chosen language.
If you need Chrome's interface in a language that is not currently supported, check back periodically — Chrome adds new interface languages over time. You can also look for language packs or extensions in the Chrome Web Store, though these are less common and may not cover all of Chrome's interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing Chrome's language affect other programs on my computer?
No. Changing the language in Chrome only affects Chrome itself. Your operating system, other browsers, and other programs will continue to use whatever language they were set to. Each program has its own language settings.
Do I need to restart my computer after changing Chrome's language?
No. You only need to close and reopen Chrome. Restarting your computer is not necessary. When you click Relaunch in Chrome, the browser restarts on its own.
Can I use Chrome in multiple languages at the same time?
Chrome's interface can only display in one language at a time. However, you can switch between languages by going back to Settings > Languages and selecting a different default language, then relaunching Chrome. You can also use the translation feature to read web pages in other languages while keeping Chrome's interface in your main language.
What if Chrome is displaying in a language I do not understand?
Open Chrome and click the three dots in the top right corner. Look for the icon that looks like a gear (Settings). Click it, then look for the option that says "Languages" — it may be labeled differently depending on what language Chrome is currently in. Follow the steps above to select a language you understand, then relaunch Chrome.
Does translating a web page change the original website?
No. When Chrome translates a page, it only changes what you see in your browser. The actual website remains unchanged, and other people visiting the same page will see it in its original language. The translation is temporary and only affects your view.