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Webflow’s Localization feature makes it easy to create multilingual websites and manage localized content. But what if you realize later that your primary locale is set to the wrong language, or you simply want to switch it?
At this time, it’s not possible to convert a secondary locale into your primary locale. The primary locale will always remain the first locale you configure in your Localization settings. That means if you want to change the language of your primary locale, you’ll need to update the settings and content manually. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process step by step.
Why the Primary Locale Matters
Your primary locale is the foundation of your site’s localization setup:
- It determines the default language visitors see when they first land on your site.
- All other locales (secondary locales) are mapped from it.
- SEO and hreflang tags depend on it for proper indexing.
Because of this, Webflow currently requires you to manually adjust the language if you need to change your primary locale.
Steps to Change the Primary Locale Language in Webflow
Here’s how to properly update your site:
- Select the primary locale in your Localization settings
Head over to your Project Settings → Localization. Click on your primary locale. - Change the language and display name
Update the language and display name fields to match your new primary locale. For example, change from “English (United States)” to “Spanish (Colombia).” - Manually update your site content
Changing the locale setting doesn’t automatically translate or update your content. You’ll need to go through your pages, CMS items, and components to rewrite or paste in the content in your chosen language.
💡 Pro Tip: If you already have translations prepared, use Webflow’s CSV import for CMS collections to speed this up. - Update your secondary locale(s)
Once your primary locale is set up with the new language, update your secondary locales accordingly. Adjust their language settings and ensure their content is correct relative to the new primary. - Review hreflang and SEO settings
After making changes, double-check your hreflang tags in the SEO settings to make sure search engines understand the language structure of your site. - Publish and test
Publish your site and test it in a browser to confirm the correct language is displaying. Test all locale switchers and ensure URLs are resolving correctly.
Important Things to Keep in Mind
- Webflow does not auto-translate content when you change locale settings. All content changes are manual.
- This process can be time-consuming for large sites with lots of CMS content.
- Always back up your site before making major structural changes like this.
It’s a bit of work, but it ensures your site speaks the right language to your visitors and search engines.
For more details, check out Webflow’s Localization documentation.
Building a multilingual Webflow site?
If you’re setting up a multilingual Webflow site from scratch rather than just adjusting an existing locale, the full guide covers all your options: 3 Ways to Build a Multilingual Website in Webflow. If you’re using Weglot for translation, their documentation covers how locale settings interact with their widget setup — and it’s worth reading before you configure your primary locale if Weglot is part of your stack.
Need help setting up Webflow Localization properly?
Matthew John Design builds Webflow sites with proper localization setup from the start. Get in touch if you need help structuring a multilingual Webflow project.
