Translating a webpage in Firefox has become easier than ever, thanks to Mozilla’s built-in translation feature and useful add-ons for older versions of the browser. Whether you’re browsing international news, reading research in another language, or accessing global websites, Firefox offers simple tools to help you understand content in your preferred language. In this guide, we’ll walk you through step-by-step methods to translate entire webpages or selected text in Firefox, using both the native translator and popular extensions.
1. Using Firefox’s Built-in Translation Feature (Firefox 118 and Later)
Mozilla has integrated a built-in translation tool starting from Firefox version 118, developed in collaboration with Project Bergamot to perform translations locally on your device—ensuring your data stays private.
Steps to Translate a Full Page:
- Open a webpage in a language not in your preferences.
- Firefox should automatically detect the language and show a translation panel. If it doesn’t:
- Click the translation icon in the toolbar, or
- Open the hamburger (☰) menu and select Translate Page.
- Choose the source and target languages if needed (defaults should be pre-selected).
- Click Translate to view the translated page.
- To revert to the original language, click the translation toolbar icon and select Show Original.
To Translate a Selection:
- Highlight the text you want to translate.
- Right-click and choose Translate selection to….
- The translation will pop up, allowing actions like Copy, Translate full page, or Done.
Managing Language Packs:
- Click the translation icon → gear icon → install additional languages.
- When you translate for the first time, Firefox auto-downloads the needed language module.
2. If Your Firefox Version Is Older Than 118
Firefox’s built-in translator is unavailable in versions prior to 118. You can use extensions instead:
Recommended Extensions:
- Google Translator for Firefox or To Google Translate:
- Install via the Add-ons page.
- These provide a red T icon on the toolbar.
- Select text or full page, then click the icon or right-click to translate.
- Once installed:
- You might customize keyboard shortcuts.
- Translations happen via Google Translate, typically opening a popup or new tab.
Final Thoughts
- Upgrade to Firefox 118+ to enjoy the secure, privacy-first translation tool.
- Translate full pages or selected text with ease.
- If you’re still on an older version or prefer Chrome-like behavior, third-party extensions or shortcuts offer flexible alternatives.
