Clearing cookies takes two to five minutes and works the same way in every browser
Cookies are small files your browser stores when you visit websites. They remember your login information, shopping cart contents, and browsing preferences — but they also let websites and advertisers track where you go online. Clearing them regularly removes that tracking data and can free up a small amount of storage space.
The steps differ slightly between browsers, but the process is straightforward in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. You can clear cookies once, set your browser to clear them automatically when you close it, or delete cookies from specific websites only. Most people take five minutes to do this once a month.
Key Takeaways
- Cookies are stored in your browser's cache and settings, not in a single folder you can find manually — you must use the browser's built-in clearing tool.
- Clearing cookies will log you out of most websites and remove saved passwords unless you specifically protect them during the clearing process.
- You can set your browser to clear cookies automatically every time you close it, which removes the need to do it manually.
- Clearing cookies does not remove your browsing history, saved passwords, or autofill data unless you check those boxes too.
- Different browsers store cookies in different locations, so you need to clear them in each browser you use separately.
How to clear cookies in Google Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy and security in the left sidebar. Click Clear browsing data.
A window will open with several options. Make sure Cookies and other site data is checked. At the top, choose the time range — All time clears everything, while Last hour, Last 24 hours, or Last 7 days clear only recent cookies. Click Clear data. You will be logged out of most websites.
To clear cookies automatically every time you close Chrome, go back to Settings and Privacy and security. Under Clear browsing data, toggle on Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome.
How to clear cookies in Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy & Security in the left sidebar. Scroll down to Cookies and Site Data.
Click Clear Data. A window will appear with two checkboxes — make sure Cookies and Site Data is checked. The Cached Web Content checkbox is optional. Click Clear. You will be logged out of websites you were signed into.
To clear cookies automatically, stay in the Privacy & Security section. Under Cookies and Site Data, check the box that says Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed.
How to clear cookies in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select Settings (or Preferences on older versions). Click the Privacy tab.
Click Manage Website Data. A list of websites and their stored data will appear. To remove all cookies at once, click Remove All. To remove cookies from specific websites, select them from the list and click Remove. Click Done.
To clear cookies automatically when you quit Safari, go back to the Privacy tab and check Remove all website data when quitting Safari.
How to clear cookies in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy, search, and services in the left sidebar. Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
A window will open. Make sure Cookies and other site data is checked. Choose your time range at the top — All time removes all cookies, while other options remove only recent ones. Click Clear now.
To clear cookies automatically, go back to Privacy, search, and services. Toggle on Clear browsing data under the Clear browsing data section, then select Choose what to clear every time you close the browser. Check Cookies and other site data.
What happens when you clear cookies
When you clear cookies, you will be logged out of most websites. The next time you visit them, you will need to sign in again. Websites will not remember your preferences — things like dark mode, language settings, or items in your shopping cart may reset.
Clearing cookies does not delete your browsing history, saved passwords, or autofill information unless you specifically check those boxes in the clearing tool. If you want to keep your passwords but remove cookies, make sure only the cookies checkbox is selected before you clear.
Cookies take up very little storage space — clearing them will not noticeably free up room on your computer. The main reason to clear them is to remove tracking data that websites and advertisers use to follow your activity online.
Clearing cookies from specific websites only
If you want to keep cookies from most sites but remove them from one or two, you can delete them individually. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data > Manage all cookies and site data. Search for the website name, click it, and click Remove.
In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data > Manage Data. Search for the website, select it, and click Remove Selected. In Safari, use Manage Website Data and select the site before clicking Remove. In Edge, go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Manage cookies and site permissions > Cookies and data stored, search for the site, and click the trash icon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cookies delete my saved passwords?
No, unless you check the Passwords or Autofill checkbox in the clearing tool. Cookies and passwords are stored separately. If you only check Cookies and site data, your passwords will remain saved and you can still use autofill on your next visit.
Do I need to clear cookies in every browser I use?
Yes. Each browser stores its own cookies separately. If you use Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, you need to clear cookies in all three to remove all tracking data. Clearing cookies in one browser does not affect the others.
What's the difference between clearing cookies and clearing browsing history?
Browsing history is a list of websites you visited. Cookies are files websites store on your computer. Clearing history removes the list but leaves cookies behind, so websites can still track you. Clearing cookies removes the tracking files but leaves your history intact. Most people clear both.
Can I clear cookies without being logged out of websites?
Not completely — clearing cookies will log you out of most sites. However, some browsers let you protect specific cookies before clearing. In Chrome, you can go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data and add websites to the Sites that can always use cookies list before clearing.
How often should I clear cookies?
There is no required schedule. Clearing them once a month is common for privacy-conscious users. If you want maximum privacy, set your browser to clear cookies automatically when you close it — this removes tracking data without requiring you to remember to do it manually.