Use tabs in Chrome

You can open as many tabs as you want in Chrome. You can also view all your tabs and switch between them. When you open a new tab, a personalized New Tab page based on your browsing history appears.

Some of the ways you can customize your New Tab page content are with:

• Different themes
• Your cart
• The "Recipes" card

Learn how to personalize your New Tab page.

Learn how to manage suggested articles.

Open a new tab or window

Open a new tab

At the top of your Google Chrome window, next to the last tab on the right, click New tab . Or, use a keyboard shortcut:

• Windows & Linux: Ctrl + t
• Mac: ⌘ + t

Open a tab in a new window

Click and drag the tab outside the Google Chrome window.

To open a new window, use a keyboard shortcut:

• Windows & Linux: Ctrl + n
• Mac: ⌘ + n

Open a file in a new tab

From your computer's desktop or folder, drag the file into a Google Chrome tab. If the action is successful, your cursor will display Add .

Browse and select the file from your computer. Open a new tab, then use a keyboard shortcut:

• Windows & Linux: Ctrl + o
• Mac: ⌘ + o

Open a link in a new tab

• Windows & Linux: Ctrl + click a link
• Mac: ⌘ + click a link

Organize your tabs & windows

Arrange tabs

To change the order of your tabs, drag a tab along the top of the browser window.

Pin a tab: Right-click the tab and select Pin. Pinned tabs are smaller and only show the site's icon.

Unpin a tab: Right-click the tab and select Unpin.

Move a tab to a different window:

1. Make sure both windows are signed in to the same profile.
2. Right-click the tab you want to move.
3. Scroll to "Move tab to another window."
4. Select the window you want to move the tab to.

Group your tabs

You can organize your tabs with groups.

 

1. On your computer, open Chrome .
2. Click New tab .
3. Right-click a tab and then select Add to new group.
   • To edit your tab group: Right-click the colored circle or name to the left. You can:
     • Name your group.
     • Add more tabs to the group.
     • Remove the group.
   • To add a tab to an existing group: Drag the tab into the group.
   • To remove a tab from a group: Right-click the tab, then select Remove from group.

Collapse & expand tab groups

You can collapse your tab groups so only the group's name or colored circle shows in your tab strip. 

1. Create a tab group.
2. To expand or collapse the group, select its name or colored circle.

Search open tabs with Tab search

When you have multiple tabs open in Chrome, you can find the specific tab you want.

1. Open Chrome .
2. On the right of your last open tab, click Tab search .
3. Enter keywords for the site you want to find.
4. In the list of open tabs:
   • To open a tab, find the tab you want and click it.
   • To close a tab, find the tab you want and on the right, click Close .

Search open tabs from the address bar

1. Open Chrome .
2. In the address bar, enter @tabs.
3. Press tab or space. You can also click Search tabs  in the suggestions.
4. Enter keywords for the tab you want to find.
5. Select the tab from the list.

Organize your windows

To organize your open windows, you can name each one. Your computer displays this name when you:

• Point to the minimized window with your cursor.
• Press Alt + Tab to move between windows.
• Right-click on a tab and select Move tab to another window.

To name a window:

1. Go to the window you want to name or open a new window.
2. At the top, right-click the empty space next to New Tab , then select Name window.
   • Alternatively, at the top right, select More More tools Name window.
3. Enter a name for your window.

Close a tab or window

Close a tab

At the top right of the tab, click Close . Or, use a keyboard shortcut:

• Windows & Linux: Ctrl + w
• Mac: ⌘ + w

Close a window

• Close all tabs in the window.
• At the top corner of the window, click Close .
  • Windows & Linux: At the top right.
  • Mac: At the top left.

  You can also use the keyboard shortcuts to close a window:

  • Windows & Linux: Alt + F4
  • Mac: ⌘ + Shift + w

Close Google Chrome

You can close Google Chrome entirely.

1. Open the Chrome menu.
   • Windows & Linux: On the top menu bar, click More .
   • Mac: On the top menu bar, click Chrome.

2. Close Google Chrome.

• Windows & Linux: Click Exit.
• Mac: Click Quit Google Chrome.

You can also use the keyboard shortcut to close Google Chrome:

• Windows & Linux: Alt + f then x
• Mac: ⌘ + q

Bring back a tab or window

If you accidentally close a tab or window, you can open it again using a keyboard shortcut:

• Windows & Linux: Ctrl + Shift + t
• Mac: ⌘ + Shift + t

Force a page or app to close

If a tab, window, or extension doesn't work, you can force it closed with Chrome's task manager. 

1. At the top right, click More .
2. Click More tools Task manager.
3. Select the page, extension, or app you'd like to close.
4. Click End process.

Related resources

• Set your homepage and startup page
• Browse in private
• Personalize your New Tab page in Chrome