{"id":17924,"date":"2011-03-22T15:38:21","date_gmt":"2011-03-22T10:08:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=17924"},"modified":"2026-10-13T13:39:25","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T08:09:25","slug":"new-google-chrome-icon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/03\/new-google-chrome-icon\/","title":{"rendered":"Google Chrome Logo History: Every Chrome Icon Since 2008"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <strong>Google Chrome logo<\/strong> has changed four times since the browser launched in 2008. In March 2011 we covered the switch from the shiny 3D icon to a flat, simpler design. The logo was simplified again in 2014 and refreshed in 2022. Here&#8217;s the full history of the Chrome icon, why Google keeps changing it and how to tell which Chrome version you&#8217;re running.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-64515\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/google-chrome-logo-history-1024x538.webp\" alt=\"Google Chrome logo history\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/google-chrome-logo-history-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/google-chrome-logo-history-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/google-chrome-logo-history-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/google-chrome-logo-history-768x403.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/google-chrome-logo-history.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> The Chrome logo has had four main versions: the glossy 3D icon (2008), a flat design (2011), a flatter version with no shading (2014) and the current 2022 logo, with brighter colours, no shadows and a slightly larger blue centre. Google changes it to keep the brand simple and to match each operating system&#8217;s style.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af260f304a73\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af260f304a73\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/03\/new-google-chrome-icon\/#Google_Chrome_logo_history\" >Google Chrome logo history<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/03\/new-google-chrome-icon\/#2008_the_3D_original\" >2008: the 3D original<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/03\/new-google-chrome-icon\/#2011_going_flat\" >2011: going flat<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/03\/new-google-chrome-icon\/#2014_even_simpler\" >2014: even simpler<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/03\/new-google-chrome-icon\/#2022_the_current_logo\" >2022: the current logo<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/03\/new-google-chrome-icon\/#Why_Google_changes_the_Chrome_icon\" >Why Google changes the Chrome icon<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/03\/new-google-chrome-icon\/#How_to_check_your_Chrome_version\" >How to check your Chrome version<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/03\/new-google-chrome-icon\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/03\/new-google-chrome-icon\/#When_did_the_Chrome_logo_last_change\" >When did the Chrome logo last change?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/03\/new-google-chrome-icon\/#Why_is_my_Chrome_icon_a_different_colour\" >Why is my Chrome icon a different colour?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/03\/new-google-chrome-icon\/#Can_I_change_the_Chrome_icon\" >Can I change the Chrome icon?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Google_Chrome_logo_history\"><\/span>Google Chrome logo history<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2008_the_3D_original\"><\/span>2008: the 3D original<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Chrome launched in September 2008 with a glossy, three-dimensional icon: a blue circle surrounded by red, yellow and green segments, often compared to a Simon game or a Pok\u00e9 Ball.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2011_going_flat\"><\/span>2011: going flat<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In March 2011 Google introduced a flatter icon. Google&#8217;s Chrome blog explained that since Chrome is about making the web &#8220;quicker, lighter, and easier&#8221;, a simpler icon better fit the browser&#8217;s spirit, and that fans&#8217; own reinterpretations had already moved the icon toward simplicity.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2014_even_simpler\"><\/span>2014: even simpler<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In 2014 the logo lost its remaining shading and gradients to match Google&#8217;s flat design style across products.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2022_the_current_logo\"><\/span>2022: the current logo<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In February 2022 Chrome got its first logo change in eight years. The new version removed the shadows, used brighter colours and made the blue centre a little larger. Google also made versions tailored to each platform, for example a subtle gradient on macOS, and special colours for beta, dev and Canary builds.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Google_changes_the_Chrome_icon\"><\/span>Why Google changes the Chrome icon<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Simplicity<\/strong>: flatter icons look sharper at small sizes on phones and taskbars.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Brand consistency<\/strong>: matching the style of Gmail, Maps and other Google apps.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Platform fit<\/strong>: icons that feel native on Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android and iOS.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_check_your_Chrome_version\"><\/span>How to check your Chrome version<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Click the three-dot menu at the top right of Chrome.<\/li>\n<li>Go to Help &gt; About Google Chrome (on Android: Settings &gt; About Chrome).<\/li>\n<li>Chrome shows your version and checks for updates automatically.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Keeping Chrome updated matters more than its looks: updates fix security holes. Also see our list of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/07\/google-chrome-extensions-for-webmasters\/\">Chrome extensions for webmasters<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_did_the_Chrome_logo_last_change\"><\/span>When did the Chrome logo last change?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In February 2022, its first redesign in eight years.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_my_Chrome_icon_a_different_colour\"><\/span>Why is my Chrome icon a different colour?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Beta, Dev and Canary versions of Chrome use different icon colours so you can tell them apart from the stable version.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_change_the_Chrome_icon\"><\/span>Can I change the Chrome icon?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>On Windows you can change a shortcut&#8217;s icon in its Properties, but the app&#8217;s own icon updates with Chrome.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Google Chrome logo has changed four times since the browser launched in 2008. In March 2011 we covered the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":64515,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-apps"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17924","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17924"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17924\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65384,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17924\/revisions\/65384"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64515"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17924"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17924"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17924"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}