The Chrome Web Store is where you get almost all Chrome extensions
Chrome extensions live in the Chrome Web Store, which is Google's official marketplace. You reach it by opening Chrome, clicking the three vertical dots in the top right corner, selecting "Extensions," then clicking "Open Chrome Web Store." You can also go directly to chromewebstore.google.com in any browser.
Every extension you see there has been reviewed by Google before it appears. This does not mean it is perfect or that it will work exactly the way you want, but it does mean Google has checked that it is not malware or stealing your passwords. Extensions in the Web Store range from free to paid, and most are free.
When you find an extension you want, click the blue "Add to Chrome" button. Chrome will ask you to confirm the permissions — what the extension is allowed to see and do on your computer. Read these carefully. If an extension asks to see all your passwords or access every website you visit, and it is just supposed to check spelling, that is a red flag.
Key Takeaways
- The Chrome Web Store at chromewebstore.google.com is the official place to find Chrome extensions, and Google reviews each one before it appears there.
- You can search the Web Store by typing what you need — "password manager," "ad blocker," "grammar checker" — and see multiple options with user reviews.
- When you install an extension, Chrome shows you what permissions it needs; read these carefully because they tell you what the extension can access.
- Extensions you install appear as small icons in the top right corner of Chrome, and you can click them to use them or manage their settings.
- Do not install extensions from random websites or links in emails, because those may not have been reviewed and could harm your computer.
How to search the Chrome Web Store for what you need
The search box at the top of the Chrome Web Store works like any search engine. Type what you are looking for — "password manager," "dark mode," "video downloader," "note-taking" — and the Web Store shows you extensions that do that thing. Each result shows the extension name, a short description, a star rating from other users, and how many people have installed it.
Read the user reviews before you install. Look for recent reviews that mention whether the extension actually works, whether it slows down your browser, and whether the developer responds to problems. If an extension has 50,000 installs but only a 2-star rating, that tells you something. If it has 100 installs and all five-star reviews, it might be new and good, or it might be fake reviews — look at the review text to see if people are describing real use.
Click on an extension to see its full page. This shows you a longer description, screenshots of how it works, the permissions it needs, and all the reviews. Some extensions have a "Privacy" section that explains what data they collect. Read this before you install, especially for extensions that handle passwords, banking, or personal information.
Understanding permissions before you install
When you click "Add to Chrome," a popup appears listing what the extension wants permission to do. Common permissions include "Read and change all your data on websites you visit," "See your browsing history," or "Manage your downloads." These sound scary, but they are normal for many extensions. A password manager needs to see what you type. An ad blocker needs to see all the content on a page so it can remove ads.
The key is matching the permission to the job. If you are installing a calculator extension and it asks to see your browsing history, that does not make sense — do not install it. If you are installing a password manager and it asks to see what you type on websites, that makes sense — that is how it works.
You can always change permissions later. Right-click the extension icon in the top right corner of Chrome, select "Manage extension," and look for "Permissions" or "Site access." You can tell it to work only on certain websites instead of all websites, which limits what it can see.
Where extensions appear and how to use them
Once you install an extension, a small icon appears in the top right corner of Chrome, to the left of the address bar. This icon represents your extension. Click it to open the extension's menu or settings. Some extensions show a number or badge on the icon — a password manager might show a key, an ad blocker might show how many ads it blocked.
If you install many extensions, the top right corner gets crowded. You can hide extensions you do not use often. Click the puzzle-piece icon (it looks like a jigsaw puzzle) in the top right corner, and you will see all your installed extensions. Click the pin icon next to an extension to show it all the time, or leave it unpinned so it hides until you need it.
To remove an extension, right-click its icon and select "Remove from Chrome," or go to the puzzle-piece menu, find the extension, click the three dots next to it, and select "Remove from Chrome." Removing an extension does not delete your data — if you reinstall it later, your settings are usually still there.
Why you should not install extensions from other websites
You might find links to extensions on random websites, in emails, or in ads. Do not use these links. Extensions found outside the Chrome Web Store have not been reviewed by Google, and they could contain malware, steal your data, or slow your computer to a crawl. Scammers sometimes create fake extension websites that look real but install something harmful instead.
The only safe place to get Chrome extensions is the official Chrome Web Store. If someone sends you a link to an extension, go to the Chrome Web Store yourself and search for it by name. If it exists there, install it from there. If it does not exist in the Web Store, it is not a real Chrome extension.
Be especially careful with extensions that promise to do something too good to be true — "unlimited storage," "make money fast," "hack any website." These are almost always scams. Real extensions do one thing well. Fake ones promise everything and deliver nothing but problems.
What to do if an extension stops working or causes problems
Sometimes an extension stops working after a Chrome update, or it starts slowing down your browser. First, try turning it off. Click the puzzle-piece icon, find the extension, and click the toggle switch next to it to turn it off. If Chrome runs faster or a website works better, the extension was the problem.
Check if the extension has an update. Go to the puzzle-piece menu, find the extension, click the three dots, and select "Details." Scroll down to see if there is an update available. If there is, click "Update" and wait for it to finish. Developers often fix problems in updates.
If an extension keeps causing problems, remove it. You can always reinstall it later if you miss it. If you need that extension's function but this one does not work, search the Chrome Web Store for alternatives. Most tasks have multiple extensions that do the same thing — if one does not work for you, another one might.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same Chrome extension on my phone?
Chrome on Android phones does not support extensions the way desktop Chrome does. Some extensions have mobile apps you can download from the Google Play Store instead. Check the extension's page in the Chrome Web Store to see if a mobile version exists. Desktop Chrome extensions work only on computers.
What happens to my extension settings if I sign out of Chrome?
If you sign into Chrome with a Google account, your extensions and their settings sync across all your computers. If you sign out or use Chrome without signing in, extensions stay on that computer but do not move to other devices. Your extension data is tied to your Google account, not to the computer itself.
Do extensions slow down Chrome?
Most extensions use very little memory or processing power, but some do slow things down. If Chrome feels slow, turn off extensions one at a time to find the culprit. Go to the puzzle-piece menu and toggle extensions off. If Chrome speeds up when you turn off a specific extension, that extension is the problem — consider removing it or finding a lighter alternative.
Is it safe to install free extensions?
Free extensions in the Chrome Web Store are safe to install because Google reviews them. The developer makes money through ads, donations, or a paid version with extra features. Read the reviews and permissions before installing. If something feels wrong — too many ads, asking for too much access, or bad reviews — do not install it.
Can I make my own Chrome extension?
Yes, but it requires learning to code in JavaScript and HTML. Google has a developer guide on their website that walks through the basics. Most people do not need to build their own — there are thousands of extensions already in the Web Store that do almost anything you might want.