Browser Memory Usage

Users discuss and compare high RAM consumption by web browsers like Firefox and Chrome, often citing specific tab counts, extensions, and personal experiences with memory issues.

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Comments
20
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5
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#5635
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
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2008
32
2009
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2010
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2011
203
2012
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2013
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2014
216
2015
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2016
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2017
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2018
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Keywords

RAM MB FF CPU SSD YMMV XML FastMail JavaScript AdBlock memory firefox tabs ram chrome tab tabs open memory usage gb browser

Sample Comments

npollock Jul 19, 2024 View on HN

you're right, Firefox is gobbling up about half of the RAMthanks for pointing me in this direction

Aardwolf Dec 4, 2025 View on HN

I found web browser tabs eating too much memory when you only have 16GB

jackpirate Jun 4, 2020 View on HN

1 tab used 6gb of memory for me on firefox, yikes!

blackflame7000 Aug 25, 2020 View on HN

Chrome used to be a light weight fast browser and now it feels the need to use a GB of RAM to show a single new tab window.

gexla Jul 10, 2020 View on HN

My browser alone can eat up 2.7 GB of RAM.

sanxiyn Aug 26, 2015 View on HN

Doesn't Firefox have a reputation for using less memory than other browsers these days?

charcircuit Feb 27, 2022 View on HN

Firefox has caused me to run out of memory multiple times and I have 64 GiB of RAM. I don't use chrome beyond a couple tabs at a time so I personally can't speak on chrome's requirements.

EduardoBautista Apr 19, 2016 View on HN

Browsers are designed to use more ram than they really need.

Miraste Sep 25, 2020 View on HN

If you have the ram firefox will eat it, I've seen it use well over 10 before. Chromiums do the same thing, though.

p0nce Sep 7, 2016 View on HN

Getting worse at displaying the same webpage, while actual webpages become heavier. Here I am with 6 opened tab and 800mb of RAM taken by Firefox.