Change Chrome's display language in three steps

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Languages in the left menu. Find the language you want, click the three dots next to it, and select Display Google Chrome in this language. Chrome will restart and show its menus, buttons, and settings in your chosen language.

If your language isn't listed, scroll down to Add languages, search for it, and click it to add it. Then follow the same steps to set it as your display language. The change takes effect immediately after Chrome restarts, and you can switch back to any previous language using the same process at any time.

Key Takeaways

  • You reach language settings through the three-dot menu, then Settings, then the Languages section on the left side.
  • Chrome's interface language is separate from the language it uses to check spelling or translate web pages.
  • You can add multiple languages and switch between them without restarting your computer.
  • Changing Chrome's language does not change the language of websites you visit — only Chrome's own buttons and menus.
  • If you change the language and can't read the menus, the three-dot icon and gear icon are always in the same position regardless of language.

Where to find the Languages menu

The three-dot menu sits in the top right corner of any Chrome window. Click it and look for Settings near the bottom of the dropdown menu. Once Settings opens, you'll see a column of options on the left side. Scroll down until you find Languages — it usually appears below Advanced.

If you don't see Languages listed, click Advanced first to expand more options, then look for Languages below it. The exact position can shift slightly depending on your Chrome version, but it's always in the left column under Settings. Once you click Languages, you'll see a list of languages already installed on your system.

Adding a language that isn't shown

When you open the Languages section, you'll see a list of languages already available. If the language you want isn't there, scroll to the bottom and click Add languages. A search box will appear where you can type the language name or code.

Type the language you're looking for — for example, "Japanese," "Portuguese," "Arabic," or "Korean" — and click it when it appears in the dropdown. Chrome will add it to your list immediately. You can add as many languages as you want, and switching between them takes only a few clicks each time you want to change.

The difference between display language and spell-check language

Chrome's display language controls what you see in the browser itself — the menus, buttons, and settings. The spell-check language is separate and controls which dictionary Chrome uses when you type in text boxes on websites. You can set these to different languages if you want.

For example, you could display Chrome in Spanish but have it check spelling in English. To change spell-check language, go to Settings, then Languages, and look for Spell check. Toggle it on and select which language Chrome should use to check your typing. This setting works independently from your display language choice.

Translation settings are independent

Chrome can also translate web pages for you, and this setting works separately from both display language and spell-check. When you visit a website in a language Chrome doesn't recognize as your display language, it may offer to translate the page. You control whether this happens in the Languages section under Google Translate.

Toggle translation on or off, and add languages you don't want translated. For instance, if you speak both English and French, you might turn off translation for French so Chrome doesn't offer to translate French pages. This doesn't affect your display language or spell-check settings, and you can change it whenever you want.

Switching back to your original language

If you change Chrome's language and then want to switch back, the process is identical. Open Settings, click Languages, find your original language in the list, click the three dots next to it, and select Display Google Chrome in this language. Chrome will restart and return to your previous language without affecting any of your data.

If you accidentally changed the language and can't read the menus, look for the three-dot icon in the top right corner — it looks the same in every language. Click it and look for the gear icon, which represents Settings in every language. From there, the Languages option is always in the same position on the left side, even if you can't read the label.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing Chrome's language change the language of websites I visit?

No. Changing Chrome's display language only changes Chrome's own menus and buttons. Websites appear in whatever language they were built in. If you want Chrome to translate a website for you, use the translation feature separately through the same Languages menu.

Can I use Chrome in multiple languages at the same time?

You can add multiple languages to Chrome, but only one can be the display language at a time. You can switch between them quickly by going back to Settings and choosing a different one. Some people create separate Chrome profiles to use different languages without switching back and forth.

What if my language isn't in the Add languages list?

Most major languages and many regional dialects are available in Chrome. If you don't see yours, try searching for the country name or a related language. If it truly isn't available, you may need to use a different browser or contact Chrome support through your Google account.

Will changing my language affect my passwords or saved information?

No. Your passwords, bookmarks, browsing history, and all saved data remain unchanged. Only the text labels in Chrome's interface switch to your new language. Your Google account and all synced information stay exactly as they were.

Can I change the language for just one website instead of all of Chrome?

No, the display language setting changes Chrome's entire interface. However, you can use Chrome's translation feature to translate individual websites without changing your display language. Right-click on any page and select "Translate to [your language]" to translate just that page.