Google Chrome keeps the bookmarks bar hidden on most pages by default, so your saved links stay out of the way while you read. The bar still shows up when you open a fresh New Tab. You can switch it on to reach your top sites from any page, or leave it off for a wider view. Here is how to show bookmarks bar Chrome, or hide it, on Windows, Mac, and Chromebook.
Two Ways to Show Bookmarks Bar Chrome or Hide It
Chrome gives you a couple of routes to control the bar. Pick whichever feels quicker. The steps behave the same on a Windows PC, a Mac, and a Chromebook.
Show the Bookmark Bar From the Main Menu
To see saved pages on every site, turn the feature on first. This lets you open your favorite links without launching a new tab. If the bar looks empty, you can save all your open tabs as bookmarks so it has something useful on it.
Step 1: Open Google Chrome. Click the three-dot icon in the top-right corner, then pick Bookmarks and Lists.
Step 2: Choose Show Bookmark Bar. The bar now sits below the address bar on every site you visit.
How to Turn Off the Bookmark Bar in Chrome
Want a bigger view or a cleaner window? Switch the bar off. This helps if you have piled up too many saved links. It is worth taking a minute to clear out old links before you decide to hide it.
Step 1: Open Chrome and click the three-dot icon. Move to Bookmarks and Lists.
Step 2: Pick Hide Bookmark Bar. From here, the bar only appears on a fresh New Tab.
Show Bookmarks Bar Chrome With a Keyboard Shortcut
The fastest toggle skips the menu entirely. Press Ctrl + Shift + B on Windows, Linux, or a Chromebook. On a Mac, press Command + Shift + B.
The same keys hide the bar again. One tap flips it on, another tap turns it off, so you can adjust your view mid-browse without touching the mouse.
Fast Right-Click Method to Toggle the Bar
There is a shorter route when the bar is already visible. Right-click on the bar itself to open a small list of choices.
| Task | Click This |
|---|---|
| Turn the bar on | Show Bookmark Bar |
| Turn the bar off | Show Bookmark Bar (this clears the tick) |
When the tick sits next to the option, the bar stays on. Clear the tick and the bar hides.
Where the Bar Appears in Each Mode
Here is a quick look at where the bar shows up once you set it.
| Mode | Where the Bar Appears |
|---|---|
| Turned on | On every page you open, plus the New Tab |
| Turned off | Only on the New Tab page |
Before you switch things around, back up your bookmarks so a stray click does not cost you any links. If the bar keeps filling up, this trick to fit more links on the bar strips the names and leaves only the icons.
That covers a few simple ways to show bookmarks bar Chrome or switch it off when you need more room. Keeping it on gives fast access to saved sites but trims the page a little. Turning it off hands that space back.
FAQs
What is the shortcut to show the bookmarks bar in Chrome?
Press Ctrl + Shift + B on Windows, Linux, or a Chromebook. On a Mac, press Command + Shift + B. The same keys hide the bar when you press them again.
Why is my bookmarks bar not showing in Chrome?
The bar is off, so it only appears on the New Tab page. Turn it on through the three-dot menu under Bookmarks and Lists, or if links went missing, check your sync.
Does the bookmarks bar show on every page?
Only when it is switched on. With the bar enabled, it sits below the address bar on every site. When off, it shows just on the New Tab page.
How do I show the bookmarks bar on a Chromebook?
The steps match the desktop. Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu, pick Bookmarks and Lists, then Show Bookmark Bar. The Ctrl + Shift + B shortcut works the same way.
How do I find bookmarks without the bar?
Type @bookmarks in the address bar and press Tab, then enter a page title. You can also search your saved links straight from the address bar.
