Deleting tracking cookies removes the files websites and advertisers use to follow your browsing across the internet
Tracking cookies are small files that record which websites you visit and what you do on them. Advertisers and data brokers buy this information to build profiles of your interests and show you targeted ads. Deleting them stops that tracking, though new cookies will start accumulating as soon as you browse again.
The fastest way to delete tracking cookies is through your browser's settings. Most browsers let you clear cookies in one or two clicks, and you can choose to delete only tracking cookies or all cookies at once. The exact steps differ slightly between Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, but the principle is the same in each.
Deleting cookies does not stop websites from setting new ones. If you want ongoing protection, you can also enable your browser's built-in tracking prevention, which blocks many tracking cookies from being set in the first place. Some people combine this with a separate privacy extension for additional control.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all let you delete cookies through Settings or Preferences, usually under Privacy or History.
- You can delete all cookies at once or choose a date range — for example, cookies from the last week or the last month.
- Deleting cookies will log you out of most websites, so you will need to sign back in afterward.
- Enabling your browser's tracking prevention feature blocks many new tracking cookies from being set, though it does not delete existing ones.
- Tracking cookies return as you browse, so deletion is most useful as a regular habit rather than a one-time action.
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 on the left side. Choose Clear Browsing Data.
A window will appear with options. Make sure the time range at the top is set to what you want — "All time" deletes everything, while "Last hour," "Last 24 hours," or "Last 7 days" delete only recent cookies. Check the box next to Cookies and Other Site Data, then click Clear Data. Chrome will delete the selected cookies immediately.
If you want to delete cookies from specific websites only, go back to Privacy and Security, click Cookies and Other Site Data, then Manage All Site Data. Search for the website name 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 Privacy & Security on the left. Under Cookies and Site Data, click Clear Data.
A window will pop up. Make sure Cookies and Site Data is checked. You can also check Cached Web Content if you want to free up storage space. Click Clear, and Firefox will remove the selected items. Unlike Chrome, Firefox does not offer a time range option in this menu — it clears all cookies and site data at once.
If you want finer control, scroll down to the Cookies and Site Data section and click Manage Data instead. You can search for specific websites and delete cookies from them individually by clicking Remove All.
How to delete cookies in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Clear History.
A dropdown menu will appear asking how far back you want to clear. Choose "all history" to delete all cookies, or pick a specific time range like "the last hour" or "today." Safari will also clear your browsing history along with the cookies — there is no option to delete only cookies without clearing history in Safari.
If you want to remove cookies from specific websites, click Safari in the menu bar, then Preferences. Go to the Privacy tab, click Manage Website Data, search for the website name, and click Remove.
How to delete cookies in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then Privacy, Search, and Services on the left. Under Clear Browsing Data, click Choose What to Clear.
A window will open. Set the time range at the top to what you want. Check the box next to Cookies and Other Site Data, then click Clear Now. Edge will delete the cookies immediately.
You can also set Edge to clear cookies automatically every time you close the browser. In the same Privacy, Search, and Services menu, scroll down to Clear Browsing Data and toggle on Clear Browsing Data Every Time You Close the Browser. Then click the dropdown below it and select which items to clear — make sure Cookies and Other Site Data is checked.
What happens when you delete cookies
Deleting cookies will log you out of most websites. When you visit a site you were logged into, you will see the login page instead of your account. You will need to sign in again, and the website will set a new cookie to remember you.
Websites may also forget your preferences — things like your language setting, font size, or whether you had items in a shopping cart. Some sites store this information in cookies, so deleting them resets those choices to the default.
Deleting cookies does not affect your browsing history, passwords, or autofill information. Those are stored separately and are not removed by clearing cookies.
Blocking new tracking cookies with browser settings
Most modern browsers include built-in tracking prevention that blocks many tracking cookies from being set in the first place. This is different from deleting existing cookies — it stops new ones from arriving as you browse.
In Chrome, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, and select Cookies and Other Site Data. Choose Standard Protection (the default) or Enhanced Protection. Standard blocks third-party cookies in Incognito mode only. Enhanced blocks them everywhere, though some websites may not work correctly.
In Firefox, go to Settings, then Privacy & Security. Under Enhanced Tracking Protection, select Standard, Strict, or Custom. Standard blocks known trackers. Strict blocks more trackers but may break some websites. Custom lets you choose exactly what to block.
In Safari, go to Preferences, then Privacy. Check Prevent Cross-Site Tracking. This blocks cookies that follow you across different websites.
In Edge, go to Settings, then Privacy, Search, and Services. Under Tracking Prevention, select Balanced (the default), Strict, or Basic. Balanced blocks most trackers. Strict blocks more but may cause problems on some sites.
Using privacy extensions for additional control
Browser extensions like uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, and Ghostery offer more detailed control over tracking cookies and other trackers. These tools show you which companies are trying to track you on each website and let you block them individually.
uBlock Origin is primarily an ad blocker but also blocks many tracking scripts. Privacy Badger learns which trackers follow you and blocks them automatically. Ghostery shows a detailed breakdown of trackers on each page and lets you block or allow them one by one.
Extensions are optional — your browser's built-in tracking prevention handles most tracking cookies without needing additional software. But if you want to see exactly what is tracking you or have more granular control, an extension can be useful. Install any extension only from your browser's official store (Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, Safari App Store, or Edge Add-ons) to avoid malicious software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting cookies slow down my browser?
No. Deleting cookies may actually free up a small amount of storage space, but the effect on browser speed is negligible. Cookies are tiny files, usually measured in kilobytes. Clearing them will not noticeably change how fast your browser runs.
Do I need to delete cookies regularly?
It depends on your preference. Deleting cookies regularly reduces the amount of tracking data about you, but new cookies start accumulating immediately as you browse. Many people find it more practical to enable tracking prevention in their browser settings and delete cookies occasionally — for example, once a month — rather than doing it constantly.
Will deleting cookies stop advertisers from tracking me?
Deleting cookies stops that specific tracking method, but advertisers use other techniques too, like fingerprinting and pixel tracking. Enabling your browser's tracking prevention and using a privacy extension blocks more of these methods. No single action stops all tracking, but combining these tools significantly reduces it.
What is the difference between first-party and third-party cookies?
First-party cookies are set by the website you are visiting and are generally harmless — they remember your login and preferences. Third-party cookies are set by other companies (usually advertisers) and are used for tracking. Most tracking prevention features block third-party cookies while allowing first-party ones, so websites still work normally.
Can websites tell if I deleted their cookies?
Websites cannot directly detect that you deleted cookies. However, they may notice if you suddenly appear as a new visitor instead of a returning one, or if your account is logged out. This is not a privacy concern — websites expect users to clear cookies and log out.