How to Export Bookmarks from Firefox

Firefox has two ways to export bookmarks: an HTML export and a JSON backup. They serve different purposes, and choosing the wrong one is a common mistake.

HTML export creates a standard file that any browser can import. Use this when you want to move bookmarks to Chrome, Edge, Safari, or another browser.

JSON backup creates a Firefox-specific file that only Firefox can restore. Use this when you want a backup you can restore within Firefox later.

If you are moving to Chrome, you want the HTML export.

Export bookmarks as HTML

1. Open Firefox.
2. Press Ctrl+Shift+O (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+O (Mac) to open the Library window. Alternatively, click the menu button (three horizontal lines), then Bookmarks > Manage bookmarks.
3. Click the Import and Backup button at the top of the Library window (it may show as a toolbar icon with an arrow or under the menu).
4. Select Export Bookmarks to HTML.
5. Choose where to save the file and click Save.

Firefox saves an HTML file containing all your bookmarks. This file works with Chrome, Edge, Safari, Brave, and any other browser that supports HTML bookmark import.

Create a JSON backup (Firefox-only)

If you want a backup you can restore within Firefox (not for importing into another browser):

1. Open the Library window (Ctrl+Shift+O on Windows/Linux, Cmd+Shift+O on Mac).
2. Click Import and Backup.
3. Select Backup.
4. Choose where to save the file and click Save.

Firefox saves a .json file. This file can only be used with Firefox's Restore option in the same Import and Backup menu.

HTML vs JSON: what is the difference?

The biggest difference for most people: Firefox bookmark tags are lost in HTML export. If you use tags extensively in Firefox to organize your bookmarks, those tags will not carry over when you import the HTML file into another browser. Tags are a Firefox-specific feature that other browsers do not support.

If you rely on tags, make a JSON backup as a safety net in addition to the HTML export. That way you can restore your tagged bookmarks in Firefox if you ever need them again.

Import the HTML file into Chrome

Once you have the HTML file:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Open Bookmark Manager (Ctrl+Shift+O on Windows/Linux, Cmd+Option+B on macOS).
3. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
4. Select Import bookmarks.
5. Choose the HTML file you exported from Firefox.

Chrome creates an Imported folder on the bookmarks bar containing the Firefox bookmarks. If your bookmarks bar was empty, bar-level bookmarks go directly onto the bar, and only the other bookmarks end up inside the Imported folder.

The Firefox-to-Chrome import guide covers the complete import process and post-import cleanup.

Can Chrome import directly from Firefox?

On most systems where both browsers are installed, Chrome can import from Firefox without needing an HTML file:

1. Go to chrome://settings/importData.
2. Select Mozilla Firefox from the dropdown.
3. Check Favorites/Bookmarks.
4. Click Import.

This works when Firefox is installed and its profile is accessible. If Firefox does not appear in the dropdown, or the import gives an error, use the HTML export method instead.

If you already have bookmarks in Chrome, back them up first. Importing creates duplicates of any bookmarks that exist in both browsers. The duplicate cleanup guide covers how to find and remove them.

What about Firefox Sync bookmarks?

Firefox Sync stores your bookmarks on Mozilla's servers and keeps them consistent across your Firefox installations. But synced bookmarks are only accessible through Firefox. You cannot pull them from Sync into Chrome directly.

To get synced bookmarks into Chrome, sign into Firefox on any computer where you can access the Library window, let Sync pull down your bookmarks, then export as HTML using the steps above.

After exporting

If you are migrating to Chrome, consider keeping the JSON backup even after you have imported the HTML file into Chrome. The JSON file preserves your Firefox tags and other metadata. If you ever need to go back to Firefox or look something up, that file has the complete picture.

TrueBookmark can protect your bookmarks after you move to Chrome. It keeps automatic versioned backups so you do not need to manually export again.