Customize Google Chrome Material Theme and Colors

Updated 5 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

You can customize Chrome’s material-style appearance by changing its theme, choosing a color scheme, and adjusting related appearance settings. On a computer, the easiest route is Chrome’s built-in customization panel; on mobile, appearance options are more limited and depend on the device and Chrome version.

What “Material Theme” Means in Chrome

“Material theme” can refer to more than one thing. Google’s Material design is a visual language used across its products, while Chrome’s browser theme controls elements such as the toolbar, tab strip, and new-tab background. Chrome may also offer color choices and appearance settings that make the interface feel more or less like Google’s current design.

There is not necessarily a single setting named “Material Theme.” The available controls and their names can change as Chrome is updated, and may differ by operating system. In practice, customizing the look usually means applying a Chrome theme, selecting a color, or restoring the default appearance.

Change Chrome’s Theme on a Computer

To apply a theme from the Chrome Web Store:

Open Chrome on your computer.
Open the Chrome Web Store and go to its Themes section. You can also open Chrome’s menu, choose Settings, then look for Appearance and select Theme if that link is available.
Browse or search for a theme. Open its details and check the screenshots and description before installing it.
Select Add to Chrome and confirm if prompted.

The theme should apply to Chrome’s browser interface. Depending on the theme, it may also change the background shown on a new tab. A theme does not generally redesign websites: individual sites control their own colors and layout, although some sites respond to your operating system’s light or dark setting.

If you do not see a Themes link in Settings, go directly to the Chrome Web Store’s Themes section. The precise Settings layout can vary, and the store is the usual place to browse and install themes.

Use Chrome’s Built-In Color and Background Controls

Chrome’s new-tab page may provide customization without installing a separate theme. Open a new tab and look for Customize Chrome, often shown as a button or pencil icon near the lower-right corner. The panel can offer options such as colors, themes, and backgrounds. Select an option to preview it, then apply or save it as prompted.

These controls are not identical on every device or account. If the button is missing, check that the new tab is Chrome’s standard new-tab page rather than a page supplied by an extension. A managed work or school browser may also restrict customization. You can still check Settings > Appearance for available options.

For a simple material-inspired look, choose a restrained color palette and avoid a busy background. A flat or low-contrast image keeps the page’s shortcuts readable, while a theme with a coordinated toolbar can make the browser feel more unified.

Set Light or Dark Appearance

Chrome’s light or dark appearance may follow the system setting, and the available controls depend on the platform. On some computers, changing the operating system’s appearance changes Chrome’s interface; on others, Chrome exposes a color or mode choice in its customization panel. A theme can also affect the toolbar, so the result may not look identical across devices.

For a light interface: use the system’s light appearance or choose a light color scheme where offered.
For a dark interface: use the system’s dark appearance or select a dark scheme where available.
For a coordinated accent: choose a color in Chrome’s customization panel rather than layering several unrelated themes.

Dark browser chrome does not force every website into dark mode. Sites may provide their own theme controls, follow system preferences, or remain light regardless of Chrome’s toolbar color.

Choose a Theme Carefully

Themes are usually visual changes, but they are still browser add-ons distributed through the Chrome Web Store. Prefer themes from identifiable publishers, read the listing details, and review the permissions or disclosures shown before installation. A basic theme normally has no reason to request broad access to browsing data; if a listing asks for permissions that seem unrelated to changing appearance, do not install it.

Consider these practical factors:

Readability: check that tab titles and toolbar icons remain easy to see.
New-tab layout: preview the background behind shortcuts and any visible text.
Maintenance: check whether the theme is still available and whether its publisher provides current details.
Work or school policies: managed devices may block themes or extensions. Do not try to bypass an administrator’s restrictions.

Remove a Theme or Fix Appearance Problems

If a theme looks wrong, is hard to read, or has changed unexpectedly, return to Chrome’s default appearance. Open Settings > Appearance and select Reset to default if shown. You can also use the theme-management link in Appearance, or open a new tab’s customization panel and choose a default or plain option where available.

If the theme does not seem to apply or the customization button is absent, try these checks:

Confirm that you are using Chrome’s normal new-tab page, not one replaced by an extension.
Check whether Chrome is managed by an organization; a management notice may appear in Settings.
Review recently installed extensions and disable an extension only if you recognize it and want to test whether it is changing the page.
Close and reopen Chrome, then check for an available browser update through Settings > About Chrome.

Changing or removing a theme should not delete bookmarks or browsing history. If appearance changes return after you reset them, a synced setting, extension, or management policy may be restoring them. Avoid removing extensions you do not recognize without first checking what they do.

Customize Chrome on Android and iPhone

Desktop Chrome themes do not generally transfer as full browser themes to the Android or iPhone app. Mobile Chrome’s appearance is more closely tied to the app’s available settings and the phone’s light or dark mode. Check Chrome’s menu and Settings for appearance-related choices; exact options vary by platform and release.

On mobile, you may be able to change the app’s light or dark appearance, but you should not expect the desktop Chrome Web Store theme experience or custom toolbar backgrounds. If a particular setting is absent, it may simply not be supported by that version or device.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get the old Chrome material theme back?
Chrome’s interface changes over time, and Google does not always provide a switch to restore a past design. Check the current Appearance and Customize Chrome controls for available colors and themes; a Chrome Web Store theme can change the browser’s colors but cannot reliably recreate every older interface detail.

Can I change Chrome’s color without installing a theme?
Often, yes. Open a new tab and select Customize Chrome to look for color choices. If that control is unavailable, check Settings > Appearance; options vary by platform and version.

Why does my Chrome theme not change websites?
A Chrome theme mainly changes browser elements such as the toolbar and tabs. Websites set their own appearance, so a theme usually will not recolor their pages.

How do I remove a Chrome theme?
Open Settings > Appearance and choose Reset to default if available. You can also use the theme controls in the Chrome Web Store or new-tab customization panel, depending on how the theme was applied.

Can I use a Chrome Web Store theme on my phone?
Desktop themes are generally intended for Chrome on computers and do not provide the same customization in the Android or iPhone app. Use the mobile app’s own appearance settings instead.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.