The quickest way to switch keyboard languages on a Chromebook

You can change your keyboard language in the Settings menu in about 30 seconds. Open the menu in the bottom right corner of your screen (where the time and battery appear), select the gear icon to open Settings, then go to Advanced > Languages and inputs > Inputs and assistants. From there, click Add input method, find the language you want, and select it. Once it's added, you can switch between languages using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Space, or by clicking the language indicator in the bottom right corner of your screen.

If you use multiple languages regularly, adding them all at once saves time. You'll see them all listed in your input method menu, and switching between them becomes a one-click or one-keystroke action.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, go to Advanced > Languages and inputs > Inputs and assistants, and click Add input method to install a new keyboard language.
  • Use Ctrl+Space to switch between keyboard languages without opening any menus.
  • You can also click the language indicator in the bottom right corner of your screen to see all installed languages and pick one.
  • Chromebooks support dozens of languages and input methods, including phonetic, pinyin, and handwriting input for some languages.
  • Your language settings stay with your Google account, so they carry over if you sign in on a different Chromebook.

Where to find the language settings menu

The Settings app is where all keyboard language changes happen. Click the time in the bottom right corner of your screen to open the system menu, then click the gear icon. This opens the full Settings page.

Once you're in Settings, look for the Advanced section on the left side. Click it to expand the menu, then select Languages and inputs. This section controls everything related to how you type and what language your keyboard produces.

Adding a new keyboard language step by step

Inside Languages and inputs, click Inputs and assistants. You'll see a section called Input method with any languages you've already added listed below it.

Click the blue Add input method button. A list of available languages appears. Scroll through or type the name of the language you want — for example, "Spanish", "French", "Japanese", or "Arabic". Click the language name, and it will be added to your list when ready.

If a language has multiple input methods (like Japanese offering both hiragana and romaji input), you'll see those options appear. Select the one you prefer, and it will be added to your keyboard options.

Switching between languages while you type

Once you've added multiple languages, the fastest way to switch is the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Space. Press it and your keyboard will flip to the next language in your list. Press it again to cycle to the next one, and keep going until you reach the language you want.

If you prefer using your mouse or trackpad, click the language indicator in the bottom right corner of your screen (it shows the current language code, like "ENG" for English). A menu drops down showing all your installed languages. Click the one you want to use.

The language you select stays active until you switch again, so you can type a whole paragraph in Spanish, then switch to English for the next one without any extra steps.

Removing languages you no longer need

If you added a language by mistake or no longer use it, you can remove it from your input methods. Go back to Settings > Advanced > Languages and inputs > Inputs and assistants, find the language you want to remove in the Input method list, and click the three dots next to it. Select Remove, and it will be deleted from your keyboard options.

You can always add it back later the same way you added it the first time, so there's no permanent consequence to removing a language.

Special input methods for languages like Chinese and Japanese

Some languages offer more than one way to type. Japanese, for example, lets you choose between hiragana input (typing phonetically) and romaji input (typing the Roman letter equivalent and letting the system convert it). Chinese offers pinyin input, where you type the phonetic spelling and select the character you want from a list.

When you add one of these languages, you'll see the input method options appear. Pick the one that matches how you normally type. If you change your mind later, you can add the same language again with a different input method — both versions will appear in your language menu, and you can switch between them just like switching between completely different languages.

Korean, Thai, and Arabic also have multiple input options. Spend a moment trying each one when you first add the language to find the method that feels most natural to you.

Your language settings follow your Google account

Because Chromebooks are built around your Google account, your keyboard languages stay with you. If you sign in to a different Chromebook with the same Google account, all your languages and input methods will be there automatically. You don't have to set them up again on each device.

If you sign out of your account on a Chromebook, the languages you added will disappear from that device's keyboard menu. When you sign back in, they'll return. This keeps your settings personal to your account rather than to the physical machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the language of the entire Chromebook, not just the keyboard?

Yes. Go to Settings > Advanced > Languages and inputs, and at the top you'll see Languages. Click it and select your preferred language for the whole system. The menus, buttons, and system text will all change to that language. Your keyboard language is separate and can be different from your system language.

What if I don't see the language I want in the input method list?

Chromebooks support most major languages, but the list is long and you may need to scroll. Type the language name in the search box that appears when you click Add input method. If it still doesn't show up, that language may not be available as a keyboard input on Chromebook, though you can still set it as your system language.

How do I know which language is currently active?

Look at the bottom right corner of your screen. The language indicator shows a two or three-letter code for your current keyboard language — "ENG" for English, "SPA" for Spanish, "FRA" for French, and so on. Click it to see all your installed languages and which one is active.

Can I use the same language with two different input methods at the same time?

Yes. If you add Japanese with hiragana input and then add Japanese again with romaji input, both will appear in your language menu as separate options. You can switch between them using Ctrl+Space or by clicking the language indicator.

Do I need to restart my Chromebook after adding a keyboard language?

No. New keyboard languages are available when ready after you add them. You can start typing in the new language right away without restarting.