How To Always Show or Hide The Google Chrome Bookmarks Bar [2026 Guide]

I’m going to teach you how to always show or hide the Google Chrome bookmarks bar if you use Chrome every day. The bookmarks bar can be a huge timesaver, putting your favorite sites one click away, but it also takes up a row of space at the top of the browser. I’ll show you how to choose whether it’s always visible or completely out of sight, so you can work the way you prefer.

Start in a Chrome window. Look to the very top right corner of the browser and click the three dots, sometimes called the More menu. From that menu, choose Settings.

This opens a new tab with all of Chrome’s preferences. On the left side of the Settings page, click Appearance. This section controls how Chrome looks and where certain interface elements appear.

In the main panel, find the option labeled Show bookmarks bar. Right next to it, you’ll see a switch. Turn the switch on to always display the bookmarks bar across your browsing.

The bar will appear directly under the address bar, showing your saved bookmarks and any folders you’ve created. If you have more bookmarks than fit, Chrome will group the extras under a double arrow icon at the end of the bar. Turn the switch off if you prefer a cleaner, more spacious view.

When it’s off, the bookmarks bar disappears, giving you extra vertical room for web pages, while your bookmarks remain safely saved. One small tip, if you rely on many bookmarks, shorter names help more of them fit on the bar, and many sites provide recognizable icons so you can spot them at a glance. The change takes effect immediately, so you can glance back at any open tab to confirm.

If you share your screen often, always showing the bar can make demos smoother because your go-to links are visible. If you’re on a smaller display or you value minimalism, hiding it can reduce clutter and help you focus on the page content.

Read More: Hide Address Bar Google Chrome

Toggle from Settings

Start in a Chrome window.

Click the three dots at the top right to open the More menu.

Choose Settings.

In the left sidebar, click Appearance.

Find Show bookmarks bar in the main panel.

Use the switch to turn it on or turn it off.

Glance at any open tab to confirm the change right away.

What you will see

The bookmarks bar appears directly under the address bar and shows your saved bookmarks and folders. Extra bookmarks that do not fit are grouped under a double arrow icon at the end of the bar. Shorter bookmark names help more of them fit, and site icons make them easy to spot.

Read More: Hide Scroll Bar Google Chrome

Managed devices

A quick note, on some work or school-managed computers, administrators may control this setting. If the option is grayed out or you can’t toggle it, that policy is likely the reason.

Read More: Clear Search Bar History Google Chrome

Final thoughts

That’s all there is to it. You used the More menu, opened Settings, went to Appearance, and adjusted the Show bookmarks bar switch to match your preference. With this one tweak, you can either keep your essential links front and center, or enjoy a distraction free browser window.

Choose the setup that fits your workflow, and you’ll feel the difference right away.