Change YouTube's language in your account settings
YouTube displays in your browser's language by default, but you can override that choice in your account settings. The process takes about 30 seconds and applies to every device where you sign in with that account.
Go to YouTube.com and sign in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select Settings. On the left menu, click Language. A dropdown list shows all available languages — YouTube supports over 75 languages. Select the one you want, and the site refreshes when ready in that language.
This change sticks across all your devices. If you use YouTube on your phone, tablet, and computer with the same account, all three will display in the language you chose. If you sign out or use a different account, that account will use its own language setting.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube's language setting lives in your account settings under Language, not in your browser settings.
- Changing the language in your YouTube account affects every device where you sign in with that account.
- If you use YouTube without signing in, the site displays in your browser's language or your device's system language.
- YouTube offers over 75 languages, and the change takes effect when ready without restarting the app or browser.
- Subtitles and captions are separate from the interface language and can be set individually for each video.
Change the language on the YouTube app for phone or tablet
The YouTube app on iOS and Android follows the same account-based system as the website. Sign in to your account, tap your profile picture in the top right, and select Settings. Scroll down and tap Language, then choose from the list.
On some Android devices, YouTube may also respect your phone's system language. If you want YouTube to use a different language than your phone's default, the app settings override the system setting once you make the choice in the app.
Change the language when you're not signed in
If you watch YouTube without signing in, the site or app displays in your browser's language or your device's system language. To change it, you need to either sign in to an account or adjust your device's language settings.
On a computer, you can also change your browser's language. In Chrome, click the three-line menu in the top right, select Settings, then Languages. Add a new language and move it to the top of the list. YouTube will then display in that language when you're not signed in.
Change subtitles and captions separately from the interface
The language YouTube displays in (menus, buttons, descriptions) is separate from the language of subtitles and captions on videos. You can watch a video with an English interface but English subtitles, or a Spanish interface with Spanish subtitles — or any combination.
To change subtitle language on a specific video, click the CC button in the player controls, then click the settings icon (gear symbol). Select Subtitles, then choose your language. This setting applies only to that video; other videos may have different subtitle options available.
Troubleshoot if YouTube won't change language
If you changed the language in settings but YouTube still displays in the old language, clear your browser cache and cookies, then sign out and back in. Sometimes the browser holds onto the old language setting in temporary files.
On the YouTube app, try closing the app completely (not just minimizing it), then opening it again. If that does not work, sign out of your account, close the app, reopen it, and sign back in.
If YouTube displays in a language you did not choose, check whether your browser or device has a language setting that overrides YouTube's choice. On some phones, the system language takes priority over app settings. Changing your device's system language will affect YouTube and most other apps.
YouTube's available languages and regional differences
YouTube offers its interface in over 75 languages, including major languages like Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, and Hindi, as well as many regional and minority languages. The exact list depends on your region and device type.
Some features may not be available in all languages. For example, YouTube's help center and some support pages are only in English. Video content itself is not affected by your interface language — a video uploaded in English will remain in English regardless of what language you set YouTube to display in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing YouTube's language change the language of videos I watch?
No. The language you set in YouTube settings only changes the interface — menus, buttons, and descriptions. Videos remain in their original language. To watch a video in a different language, you need to find a version uploaded in that language or use subtitles.
Can I set different languages on different devices?
Yes. Each device can have its own language setting if you sign in with the same account. YouTube stores your language preference per device, so your phone can display in Spanish while your computer displays in English. Just change the language in settings on each device separately.
What if YouTube doesn't have my language?
YouTube supports over 75 languages, but not every language is included. If your language is not available, YouTube will display in English or your browser's default language. You can request a language through YouTube's help center, though there is no may provide it will be added.
Will changing my YouTube language affect other Google services?
No. YouTube's language setting is separate from your Google Account language. Changing YouTube's language does not change Gmail, Google Drive, or other Google services. Each service has its own language setting in your account.
Can I change the language of just the search results?
YouTube's search results display in whatever language you set for the entire interface. You cannot change the search language separately. If you want search results in a different language, you would need to change your overall YouTube language setting.