Change YouTube's language in three steps

YouTube's language setting controls the text you see on buttons, menus, and labels — not the language of videos themselves. To change it, click your profile picture in the top right corner, select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left menu, click Language and pick from the list. The change takes effect when ready.

If you are signed out, click your profile picture (or the three horizontal lines on mobile), scroll to the bottom, and select Language directly from that menu. The language you choose will stick to that browser or device until you change it again.

Key Takeaways

  • Signed-in users reach the language setting through Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Language on the left menu.
  • Signed-out users can change language from the bottom of the main menu without logging in.
  • Changing YouTube's language affects only the interface text, not the language of the videos you watch.
  • The change takes effect right away and stays on that browser or device until you switch it again.
  • YouTube offers over 100 languages, though some regions may have a smaller selection.

Where to find the language setting when you are signed in

Open YouTube and click your profile picture in the top right corner. A dropdown menu will appear with several options. Select Settings and privacy, which is usually near the top of that menu.

Once you are in Settings and privacy, click Settings. On the left side of the screen, you will see a menu with options like Account, Playback and performance, and Notifications. Scroll down until you see Language and click it. A list of available languages will appear — scroll through and select the one you want.

YouTube will refresh and show the interface in your chosen language. Your choice is saved to your account, so it will carry over to any device where you sign in with that same account.

Changing language without signing in

If you are not signed in to YouTube, the process is faster. Click the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top left corner, or click your profile picture if you see one. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the menu that appears.

At the bottom, you will see Language with a globe icon next to it. Click it and select your language from the list. The page will reload in that language right away. This setting applies only to that browser on that device — if you use a different browser or computer, you will need to change it again.

What changes and what does not

Changing your language setting affects the YouTube interface: button labels, menu text, error messages, and descriptions of features. It does not change the language of videos themselves. If you watch a video uploaded in Spanish, it will still be in Spanish no matter what language your interface is set to.

Subtitles and captions are separate. If a video has captions in multiple languages, you can turn them on and choose which language to display — that choice is independent of your interface language. Some videos have auto-generated captions that YouTube can translate, but the original audio remains unchanged.

Switching back or choosing a different language

You can change your language setting as many times as you want. Follow the same steps: go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Language (if signed in), or use the menu at the bottom of the page (if signed out). Pick a new language and it takes effect when ready.

If you are not sure what a button says in your new language, look for the globe icon or settings gear — these symbols are the same across all languages. You can also change back to your original language using the same method.

Troubleshooting when the language does not change

If you change the language but the interface stays the same, try refreshing the page. Press Ctrl+R (Windows) or Command+R (Mac), or click the refresh arrow in your browser's address bar. Sometimes YouTube needs a moment to load the new language.

If you are signed in and the language keeps reverting, check that you actually clicked the language you wanted — the page should show a checkmark or highlight next to your choice. If the problem continues, try signing out and back in, or clear your browser's cache and cookies.

On mobile, make sure you are using the YouTube app or mobile website, not a third-party player. The language setting in the app is found under your profile picture > Settings > Language. If you are using a web browser on your phone, the process is the same as on desktop.

Languages available on YouTube

YouTube supports over 100 languages, including major ones like Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Russian, and Portuguese. Less widely spoken languages are also available, though the selection varies by region and may change over time.

If you do not see your language in the list, YouTube may not yet support it, or it may be listed under a different name. For example, Chinese is often split into Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. If you are looking for a specific regional variant, scroll through the full list carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing YouTube's language change the language of videos I watch?

No. Your interface language is separate from video content. A video uploaded in French will play in French regardless of whether your YouTube interface is set to English, Spanish, or any other language. You can turn on captions in a different language if the video has them available.

Will my language choice stay the same on all my devices?

Only if you are signed in to the same YouTube account. When you are signed in, your language preference is saved to your account and will appear on any device where you log in. If you are signed out, the language setting applies only to that specific browser or device.

Can I change the language of captions separately from the interface?

Yes. Click the CC button on a video to turn on captions, then click the settings gear icon and select your preferred caption language. This works independently of your interface language setting.

What if I accidentally change the language to one I do not understand?

Look for the gear icon (settings) or globe icon (language) — these look the same in every language. Click the gear, find the option that looks like a globe, and select your language from the list. If you get stuck, refresh the page and try again.

Does YouTube offer right-to-left languages like Arabic or Hebrew?

Yes. YouTube supports Arabic, Hebrew, Urdu, and other right-to-left languages. When you select one of these, the entire interface will flip to display from right to left, including menus and buttons.