Chrome Address Bar Tips and Tricks

Introduction

The Chrome address bar, also known as the Omnibox, is a powerful tool that goes beyond just entering URLs. You can do quick calculations and unit conversions, search a single site, jump to open tabs with @tabs, and use keyboard shortcuts to get there faster. This guide covers the most useful chrome omnibox shortcuts and tricks, with the keyboard shortcuts taken from Google’s Chrome keyboard shortcuts list.

Quick Calculations

With Google as your search engine, you can do quick sums in the Chrome address bar:

• Type your math expression in the Omnibox, such as 5*20 or 10/2. The answer may show as a suggestion; otherwise press Enter to view the result.

Unit Conversions

The Chrome URL bar is also handy for quick unit conversions:

• Type your conversion request, like 100 cm to inches, and look for the answer in the suggestions, or press Enter.

Direct Site Search

Search specific sites directly from the Chrome Omnibox with a site search shortcut:

1. Begin typing the site’s shortcut (e.g., wikipedia.org).
2. When Chrome offers to search the site, press Tab.
3. Enter your search query to search within that site.

You can add your own shortcuts in Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search.

Omnibox Shortcuts

Use shortcuts to boost your productivity:

• Ctrl + L or Alt + D (Windows and Linux), or Cmd + L (Mac): Jump to the address bar.
• Type a site name, then Ctrl + Enter (Windows and Linux) or Ctrl + Return (Mac): Add www. and .com to the name and open it.
• Type a search term, then Alt + Enter (Windows and Linux): Search in a new tab.

Search Operators

Enhance your search capabilities using search operators:

• Use quotes for exact phrases: “best Chrome tricks”.
• Use a minus sign to exclude terms: Chrome tips -extensions.

Tab Search

Quickly find open tabs using the Omnibox (Google’s Manage tabs in Chrome help):

1. In the Omnibox, type @tabs and press Tab or Space.
2. Enter keywords for the tab you want and select it from the list.

@bookmarks and @history work the same way for your bookmarks and browsing history.

Additional Omnibox Tricks

Explore more features by adjusting settings:

1. Access experimental features by pasting chrome://flags into the address bar and pressing Enter.
2. Enable or disable features to customize your experience.

Platform-Specific Tips

Windows, macOS, and Linux

The above tips are applicable across these desktop platforms. Your browser settings are at chrome://settings.

Android and iOS

While some Omnibox features are limited on mobile, you can still perform calculations and conversions:

• Open Chrome, tap the address bar, and enter your query.

For more, see our address bar tips.