How to Export Chrome Bookmarks to a File: JSON vs. HTML

Need to save your Chrome bookmarks? Chrome’s built-in export creates an HTML file for importing into a browser. If you need JSON for structured data use, or want to export only certain links or folders, Export Bookmarks Chrome offers those choices. This guide explains which format fits your goal and how to export and check the file.

Quick answer: To export all Chrome bookmarks as a browser-importable file, open Chrome’s Bookmark Manager, choose Export Bookmarks, and save the resulting HTML file. Choose HTML when you plan to import bookmarks into Chrome or another browser that supports bookmark HTML imports. Choose JSON when you need structured bookmark data for a script, a data workflow, or a separate data-oriented backup—Chrome’s documented import flow uses HTML, so don’t assume a JSON file can be imported directly.

JSON or HTML: which Chrome bookmark export should you choose?

The format depends on what you plan to do next. Use browser-import HTML when you want a file Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or another compatible browser can import. Google’s Chrome Help describes exporting bookmarks as HTML for use in another browser.

Use JSON when you need structured bookmark data for processing with a script, working in a data workflow, or keeping a separate data-oriented backup. JSON is a different use case from Chrome’s documented HTML import workflow. A JSON export can be useful, but it is not a replacement for the browser-import HTML file if your goal is to restore bookmarks through normal browser import controls.

Export all Chrome bookmarks as an HTML file

This method is Chrome’s native, no-extension approach. Labels may vary slightly by Chrome version and operating system.

1. Open Chrome on your computer.
2. Open the Bookmark Manager. Select Chrome’s More menu at the top right, then choose Bookmarks and lists > Bookmark manager. On some versions, you’ll see Bookmarks > Bookmark manager. On Windows or Linux, you can also press Ctrl+Shift+O.
3. In the Bookmark Manager, click the three-dot More menu near the top right.
4. Select Export Bookmarks.
5. Choose a file name and save location, then save the HTML file.

This creates a file that includes all bookmark folders and links in your current Chrome profile. Chrome’s built-in export is a straightforward full-library export. If you need only one folder, several folders, or specific links, use the selective export workflow below instead.

Keep the saved HTML file in a location you can find later. Chrome’s help documentation describes HTML as the format to use when importing bookmarks into another browser.

Export a folder or specific Chrome bookmarks

Chrome’s standard export is not designed around selecting one folder or individual links. If you only need part of your bookmark library, Export Bookmarks Chrome offers selection and preview options. According to its Chrome Web Store listing, it can export bookmarks from Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or an imported bookmark file, and it lets you choose all bookmarks, a single bookmark folder, selected folders, or only specific links.

The general workflow is:

1. Add the extension to your browser.
2. Open it and choose the bookmark source you want to use.
3. Select the scope: all bookmarks, one folder, selected folders, or only specific links.
4. Use search if you need to narrow the links.
5. Review the preview to confirm what will be included.
6. Choose JSON or HTML and download the result.

The listing also says the extension can import a bookmark dump and re-export it, which can be useful if you have an exported bookmark file from another browser or profile and want to convert or narrow it. The developer states that Bookmark Exporter works client-side in your browser and that bookmark data is not uploaded to its servers.

Use the preview as your check before downloading. If the preview doesn’t show the folder or links you expect, adjust the selection first.

Import the HTML file—or use JSON for data workflows

For an HTML file, the next step is usually importing it into a browser. The exact labels vary by browser and version.

1. Open the destination browser.
2. In Chrome, go to More > Bookmarks and lists > Import bookmarks and settings.
3. Select Bookmarks HTML File or Choose file, then choose your saved HTML file.
4. Select Done or complete the import flow.

Imported bookmarks may appear in the bookmarks bar if you had no existing bookmarks, or in an Imported or Other bookmarks folder if you already had bookmarks. Check the Bookmark Manager after import to find and reorganize them.

For JSON, avoid using Chrome’s standard HTML import steps. A JSON export is intended for structured data use, such as feeding the file into a script, processing it with another tool, or keeping a separate data-oriented backup. If you need to restore from JSON later, use a compatible tool or a verified conversion process that can produce browser-import HTML, or save an HTML copy alongside your JSON export.

If you’re deciding what to keep, match the file to the next task: save HTML for browser transfer and JSON for structured data use. When you need both outcomes, save both formats if the tool gives you that option.

Check your bookmark export before relying on it

A quick check can prevent a useful backup from becoming a confusing file later.

• Before downloading, review the selection preview and confirm the intended folders or links are included.
• After downloading, check that the file is in the chosen location and that its extension matches the intended format: HTML for browser import or JSON for structured data use.
• If the file is intended for browser import, test the import in the destination browser when appropriate. Importing generally adds bookmarks; it does not necessarily replace the bookmarks already in that browser.
• For privacy, note that the extension’s listing states it works client-side and that bookmark data is not uploaded to its servers. Treat that as the developer’s own disclosure rather than an independent guarantee.

FAQ: Exporting Chrome bookmarks

Does Chrome have a built-in JSON bookmark export?

Chrome’s built-in Bookmark Manager exports an HTML file for browser import. Some extensions can export JSON for scripts or data use, but Chrome Help describes HTML as the file to use when importing bookmarks into another browser. If you have a JSON file, don’t expect Chrome’s normal import flow to accept it directly.

Can I export just one Chrome bookmark folder?

Chrome’s standard export includes your full bookmark collection. To export only one folder or selected links, use a selective export tool. Export Bookmarks Chrome says it can choose all bookmarks, a single bookmark folder, selected folders, or only specific links, and it lets you preview the result before downloading.

Where do imported bookmarks go in Chrome?

The location depends on your Chrome version and whether you already have bookmarks. If you had no bookmarks, they may appear in the bookmarks bar. If you already had bookmarks, they may appear in an Imported or Other bookmarks folder. Open the Bookmark Manager to find and reorganize them.

Should I keep JSON, HTML, or both?

Keep HTML if your next step is importing bookmarks into a browser. Keep JSON if you need structured bookmark data or a separate data-oriented backup. Save both when you need both outcomes.

Conclusion

Match the format to the job: choose browser-import HTML when you want a file Chrome or another compatible browser can import, and choose JSON when you need structured bookmark data for a backup or another data workflow. Before you finish, check the selected bookmarks in the preview, download the file, and store it somewhere you can find it later.