Clear your Chrome history in three steps

Open Chrome and press Ctrl+H on Windows or Command+Y on Mac. This opens your history page. On the left side, click Clear browsing data. A window appears with checkboxes for different types of data — by default, "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files" are checked along with "Browsing history". Choose the time range from the dropdown at the top (Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, All time), then click Clear data.

That's the full process. Chrome deletes the selected data immediately and returns you to the history page. If you want to delete only specific visits instead of clearing everything, you can click the three-dot menu next to individual entries on your history page and select "Delete".

The same window also lets you clear other data Chrome stores — autofill information, passwords, payment methods, and site settings. You control each one separately by checking or unchecking its box before you click Clear data.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl+H (Windows) or Command+Y (Mac) to open your history, then click "Clear browsing data" on the left side.
  • Choose your time range from the dropdown — you can clear just the last hour or everything Chrome has stored.
  • By default, Chrome clears browsing history, cookies, and cached files, but you can uncheck any category you want to keep.
  • To delete individual visits instead of clearing everything, click the three-dot menu next to each history entry and select "Delete".
  • The same window lets you clear passwords, autofill data, and payment methods if you want to remove those separately.

What each data type means

Browsing history is the list of websites you visited — the pages that appear when you type in the address bar or open your history. Clearing this removes those suggestions and the record of where you've been.

Cookies and other site data are small files websites store on your computer to remember you. They keep you logged into accounts, remember your preferences, and let websites track your activity across the internet. Clearing cookies logs you out of most sites and removes tracking data, but it also means websites won't remember your preferences the next time you visit.

Cached images and files are copies of pictures, videos, and code that Chrome saved so pages load faster the next time you visit. Clearing the cache frees up storage space and forces Chrome to download fresh versions of everything, which can make browsing slightly slower for a few visits while the cache rebuilds.

Passwords are the login credentials Chrome offers to fill in automatically. Autofill data includes addresses, phone numbers, and names you've typed before. Payment methods are credit cards and other payment information you've saved. These are unchecked by default — you have to check them yourself if you want them deleted.

Clear history automatically when you close Chrome

If you want Chrome to delete your history every time you close the browser, open Chrome's settings by clicking the three-dot menu in the top right and selecting Settings. Go to Privacy and security on the left, then click Clear browsing data.

Toggle on Delete cookies and site data when you quit Chrome. This setting clears cookies and site data automatically, but not your full browsing history. If you also want to clear your browsing history on exit, you need to enable a different setting: go back to Privacy and security, scroll down to Clear browsing data, and toggle on Clear browsing data (the second one). Then check the box for Browsing history.

Once these are on, Chrome removes the selected data every time you fully close the browser — not just when you close a tab or window, but when you quit the application entirely.

Difference between clearing history and incognito mode

Incognito mode is a way to browse without Chrome storing your history in the first place. Open a new incognito window by pressing Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Command+Shift+N on Mac. In incognito, Chrome doesn't save your browsing history, cookies, autofill data, or passwords — but it does keep your downloads and bookmarks.

Incognito is useful if you're browsing on a shared computer or don't want a particular session recorded. However, your internet service provider, your employer (if you're on a work network), and the websites you visit can still see your activity. Incognito only hides your history from Chrome itself and anyone else who uses that computer.

Clearing history removes what Chrome has already stored. Incognito prevents Chrome from storing anything in the first place. You can use both — incognito for private browsing sessions, and clearing history for removing past activity.

What Chrome doesn't delete when you clear history

Clearing your browsing history in Chrome does not remove downloads you've saved to your computer. If you downloaded a file, it stays in your Downloads folder or wherever you saved it. To remove downloads, you need to delete them manually from your file system.

Bookmarks are also not deleted when you clear history. If you've bookmarked pages, they remain in your bookmarks menu. Clearing history only removes the record that you visited those pages.

If you're signed into your Google account in Chrome, your activity may also be stored in your Google account's Web & App Activity. Clearing Chrome's local history doesn't remove that. To delete activity from your Google account, you need to go to myactivity.google.com separately and clear it there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does clearing history delete my passwords?

No, not by default. Passwords are unchecked in the Clear browsing data window, so they stay saved unless you specifically check that box before clearing. If you want to remove a single saved password, go to Settings > Autofill and passwords > Passwords, find the site, click the three-dot menu next to it, and select "Delete".

Can I recover history after I clear it?

No. Once you clear your browsing history in Chrome, it's permanently deleted from your computer. Chrome does not have an undo function for cleared history. If you need to find a site you visited, try searching your email for confirmation messages or receipts, or check your internet service provider's records if they keep them.

Will clearing Chrome history clear it on my other devices?

Only if you're signed into the same Google account and have sync turned on. If sync is enabled, clearing history on one device removes it from all devices signed into that account. You can check sync settings by going to Settings > You and Google > Manage your Google Account > Data & privacy, or turn off sync in Chrome's main settings if you don't want this behavior.

What's the difference between clearing history and clearing cache?

History is the list of websites you visited. Cache is the copies of images and files Chrome saved to make pages load faster. Clearing history removes the record of where you've been; clearing cache frees up storage space. Both are checked by default in the Clear browsing data window, so they're usually cleared together.