Where your browser stores cookies and how to clear them
Cookies are small files your browser saves when you visit websites. They store login information, preferences, and tracking data. Deleting them removes this stored information from your computer or phone, though it will not prevent websites from creating new cookies the next time you visit.
The steps to delete cookies differ slightly by browser, but all major browsers — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge — let you clear them in settings. You can delete all cookies at once or remove them from specific websites. Most people delete all cookies, which also clears your browsing history and cached images if you choose those options too.
After you delete cookies, you may need to log back into websites you use regularly. Websites will also lose your saved preferences, like language settings or items in your shopping cart. This is temporary — websites will create new cookies as soon as you visit them again.
Key Takeaways
- Cookies are stored in your browser's settings, and deleting them takes less than a minute through the Clear Browsing Data or Clear History menu.
- You can delete all cookies at once or remove cookies from individual websites, depending on which browser you use.
- Deleting cookies will log you out of most websites and reset saved preferences like language or theme settings.
- Websites create new cookies every time you visit, so deleting them does not prevent future tracking unless you also change your privacy settings.
How to delete cookies in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy and security in the left menu. Choose Clear browsing data.
A window will appear with checkboxes for different data types. Make sure Cookies and other site data is checked. At the top, select the time range — All time will delete every cookie, while Last hour, Last 24 hours, or Last 7 days will delete only recent ones. Click Clear data.
To delete cookies from one website only, go to the address bar, click the lock icon or information icon next to the website name, then click Cookies and site data. Find the website in the list and click the trash icon next to it.
How to delete cookies in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy & Security in the left menu. Under Cookies and Site Data, click Clear Data.
A window will open. Check Cookies and Site Data, leave Cached Web Content unchecked unless you want to clear that too, then click Clear. This removes all cookies at once.
To remove cookies from a single website, type the website address in the address bar. Click the shield icon or lock icon next to the address, then click the arrow next to Enhanced Tracking Protection. Click Manage, find the website, and click the X next to it.
How to delete cookies in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar. Select Settings (or Preferences on older versions). Click the Privacy tab.
Click Manage Website Data. A list of websites that have stored data will appear. To delete all cookies, click Remove All. To delete cookies from specific websites, select them from the list and click Remove.
Safari does not have a separate "clear all cookies" button in the main menu like other browsers, so you must use the Website Data window. If you want to clear cookies every time you close Safari, go back to the Privacy tab and check Remove all website data when quitting Safari.
How to delete cookies in Edge
Open Microsoft Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy, search, and services in the left menu. Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
A window will appear. Check Cookies and other site data. Select your time range at the top — All time deletes everything, or choose a shorter period. Click Clear now.
To delete cookies from one website, click the lock icon or information icon next to the website address in the address bar. Click Cookies and site permissions, find the website, and click the trash icon.
What happens after you delete cookies
You will be logged out of most websites immediately. The next time you visit a website where you had a saved login, you will need to enter your username and password again. Websites will also forget preferences you saved, like your preferred language, dark mode settings, or items in your shopping cart.
Websites will begin creating new cookies as soon as you visit them again. If you do not change your browser's privacy settings, you will accumulate the same cookies over time. Deleting cookies is a one-time action, not a permanent block on cookie creation.
Some websites may run slower or show you content in a different language after you delete cookies, because they no longer remember your settings. This is temporary and will reset once the website creates new cookies.
Preventing cookies from being created in the future
If you want to limit cookies rather than just delete them, you can change your browser's privacy settings. Most browsers have options to block third-party cookies (used for tracking across websites) while allowing first-party cookies (used by the website itself). You can also set your browser to delete cookies automatically when you close it.
In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data. Select Block third-party cookies or Incognito only. In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security and under Enhanced Tracking Protection, select Strict. In Safari, go to Privacy and check Prevent cross-site tracking. In Edge, go to Settings > Privacy and select Balanced or Strict.
You can also use private or incognito browsing mode, which does not save cookies after you close the window. Open a private window in Firefox or Safari, an incognito window in Chrome, or an InPrivate window in Edge. Websites will still create cookies while you browse, but they will be deleted when you close the window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting cookies log me out of my email and bank accounts?
Yes. Most websites use cookies to keep you logged in. After you delete cookies, you will need to log back into email, banking, social media, and other accounts. Write down your passwords or use a password manager before you delete cookies so you can log back in quickly.
Can I delete cookies from just one website without deleting all of them?
Yes. All major browsers let you remove cookies from individual websites through their settings. In Chrome and Edge, click the lock icon next to the website address and select cookies. In Firefox and Safari, use the privacy settings to find and remove specific websites. This is useful if you want to clear tracking cookies from one site but stay logged into others.
Do I need to delete cookies regularly?
No, but some people delete them monthly or quarterly for privacy reasons. Deleting cookies removes tracking data that websites and advertisers collect about your browsing habits. If privacy is a concern, you can also block third-party cookies in your browser settings instead of deleting all cookies repeatedly.
Will deleting cookies speed up my browser?
Slightly, but not noticeably. Cookies are very small files and do not take up much space. If your browser is slow, the issue is usually something else, like too many extensions, a full cache, or too many open tabs. Deleting cookies may help a tiny amount, but it is not a solution to browser performance problems.
What is the difference between deleting cookies and clearing browsing history?
Cookies are files websites save on your computer. Browsing history is a list of websites you visited. Deleting cookies removes stored data from websites, while deleting history removes the record of which sites you visited. Most browsers let you clear both at the same time, but you can also clear one without the other.