How To CUSTOMIZE TOOLBAR IN Google Chrome [2026 Guide]

I am going to teach you how to customize the toolbar in Google Chrome. If you want a faster browsing experience or a more personalized interface, tweaking your toolbar can make a world of difference.

We will take a closer look at how you can adjust the settings to suit your specific needs. Everything here updates instantly and is easy to change back.

CUSTOMIZE TOOLBAR IN Google Chrome [2026 Guide]

Open the customize panel

Open a new tab in Chrome.

Look for the pencil icon or a button labeled Customize Chrome toward the bottom right.

Click it to open a side panel with all the options for customization at your fingertips. If you do not see this button, learn how to add the Customize button in Chrome.

Find the toolbar section

Once the side panel appears, click the section labeled Toolbar.

Here you will find a variety of toggle switches that correspond to different toolbar features.

We will go through each option to understand what they do, so you can decide which elements you want to keep visible and which you might want to hide.

Bookmarks bar

The first feature you will come across is the Bookmarks bar. This option lets you show or hide the bar that sits just below the address bar. If you frequently visit certain sites, keeping this bar visible can save you time by providing quick access to your bookmarked pages.

Side panel button

Next, there is the Side panel button. By toggling this on or off, you control the visibility of the side panel icon. It is useful if you often use side panel extensions or bookmarks.

Reading list

You will also see the option for the Reading list. If you like to save articles or web pages to read later, enabling the Reading list button can be of great benefit. Otherwise, you can keep things tidy by hiding it.

Home button

The Home button is another feature you can toggle. Enabling this will display a home icon used to quickly navigate back to your designated homepage. If you want to set what that page is, see how to customize your Chrome homepage.

Extensions menu

Finally, you will find the Extensions menu. This controls the visibility of the extensions icon and helps you organize your extensions. You may want it visible if you like quick access to these tools.

Apply your choices

Once you have reviewed these options, turn each toggle on or off based on which tools you want to appear on your toolbar.

It is quite straightforward. Just a simple click to personalize your toolbar.

After you have made your selections, exit the Customize Chrome panel.

The changes you made will update instantly, presenting you with a tailored browsing environment. If the panel does not appear or the button is missing, see what to try when Customize Chrome is absent in Customize Chrome not showing.

Manage extensions from the puzzle icon

You might notice a puzzle icon on your toolbar. This is where you can manage individual extensions. Clicking on this icon will allow you to pin or unpin extensions by tapping the pin icon next to each one, showing or hiding them as you prefer.

Final thoughts

You now have a fully customized toolbar in Google Chrome. Toggle the features you value, keep the interface tidy, and pin only the extensions you need. Enjoy your newly personalized browsing experience.