How to delete a course on Duolingo
You can remove a course from your Duolingo account by opening the course settings and selecting the delete option. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are using the mobile app or the web version, but both routes take less than a minute. Removing a course does not delete your account or affect other courses you are studying — it only removes that single language or skill path from your dashboard.
When you delete a course, Duolingo removes it from your active list and stops sending you reminders about it. Your progress in that course is not recoverable after deletion, so if you think you might return to it later, consider pausing instead. Pausing keeps your progress intact while hiding the course temporarily.
Key Takeaways
- On the Duolingo app, tap the course flag icon, scroll to the bottom, and select "Remove Course" to delete it permanently.
- On the web version, click the three-dot menu next to the course name and choose "Remove Course" from the dropdown.
- Deleting a course erases your progress in that course and cannot be undone, so verify you want to remove it before confirming.
- Pausing a course is an alternative that hides it from your dashboard while keeping your progress saved for later.
- You can add the course back to your account at any time by selecting it from the course list, but your previous progress will not return.
Removing a course on the Duolingo mobile app
Open the Duolingo app and navigate to the course you want to remove. Tap the flag icon at the top of the course screen — this opens the course menu. Scroll down to the bottom of the menu until you see the "Remove Course" button in red text.
Tap "Remove Course" and confirm your choice when the app asks you to verify. The course will disappear from your dashboard when ready. If you change your mind later, you can add it back by going to your profile, selecting "Learning Languages," and choosing the course from the available options.
Removing a course on the Duolingo website
Log into Duolingo on your web browser and find the course you want to remove on your dashboard. Click the three-dot menu icon (⋯) next to the course name or flag. A dropdown menu will appear with several options.
Select "Remove Course" from the dropdown. Duolingo will ask you to confirm the deletion. Click the confirmation button, and the course will be removed from your dashboard. Like the app, you can re-add the course later from your language settings, though your previous progress will not be restored.
The difference between removing and pausing a course
Removing a course deletes it from your account and erases all your progress in that course. You can add it back later, but you start from the beginning. Pausing a course hides it from your dashboard and stops sending you reminders, but your progress stays saved. If you pause and then unpause, you pick up exactly where you left off.
Choose removal only if you are certain you will not return to that language or if you want a fresh start. Choose pause if you want to focus on other courses for a while but plan to come back. Pausing is reversible without any loss, making it the safer option if you are unsure.
How to pause a course instead
On the mobile app, tap the flag icon at the top of the course screen, scroll down, and select "Pause Course" instead of "Remove Course." On the web, click the three-dot menu next to the course name and choose "Pause Course." The course will move to a separate section on your dashboard labeled "Paused Courses."
To resume a paused course, tap or click on it in the paused section and select "Resume." Your progress, streaks, and all lessons completed will be exactly as you left them. You can pause and resume as many times as you want without losing any data.
What happens to your progress after deletion
Once you remove a course, Duolingo does not store your progress in that course. Your XP points, lesson completion, and streak in that specific course are gone. If you add the course back later, you will start at lesson one with zero progress recorded.
Your overall Duolingo statistics — total XP, account level, and progress in other courses — remain unchanged. Only the deleted course is affected. If you are concerned about losing progress, take a screenshot of your course stats before removing it, or pause the course instead to preserve your data.
Re-adding a course you removed
To add a course back after removing it, open your profile and look for the "Learning Languages" or "Add a Course" section. You will see a list of available languages and courses. Select the one you previously removed, and it will be added back to your dashboard.
The course will start fresh with no previous progress. You will begin at the first lesson again. If you want to continue where you left off, do not remove the course — pause it instead, which preserves all your work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover my progress after removing a course?
No, Duolingo does not recover progress from deleted courses. Once you remove a course, that progress is permanently erased. If you think you might return to the course later, pause it instead to keep your progress saved.
Will removing a course affect my streak or XP?
Removing a course does not affect your overall account streak or total XP. Only the progress and streak within that specific course are deleted. Your account-level statistics remain the same.
How do I pause a course instead of deleting it?
On the app, tap the flag icon and select "Pause Course." On the web, click the three-dot menu and choose "Pause Course." Paused courses stay on your account with all progress saved, and you can resume them anytime without losing data.
What if I remove a course by accident?
If you remove a course by accident, you can add it back when ready from your language settings. However, your previous progress in that course will not be restored. If you had not confirmed the deletion, you may be able to undo it by refreshing the page quickly.
Can I remove multiple courses at once?
No, Duolingo requires you to remove courses one at a time. Go through each course individually and select "Remove Course" from its menu. There is no bulk delete option available.