Session Storage is a browser feature that temporarily stores information while a visitor uses a website in a particular browser tab.
Unlike Local Storage, Session Storage is normally limited to the current tab and browsing session. The stored information is usually removed when that tab is closed.
In this guide, you’ll learn what Session Storage is, how it works, what websites use it for, and how it differs from Local Storage and session cookies.
Session Storage lets a website temporarily save data inside a visitor’s browser. The data is normally available only to the tab that created it and is usually removed when that tab closes. It is different from both Local Storage and session cookies.
What Is Session Storage?
Session Storage is a browser storage technology that allows a website to save temporary information on a visitor’s device.
It is part of the Web Storage system, which also includes Local Storage. Both technologies store information inside the browser, but they use different lifetimes and sharing rules.
Session Storage is generally connected to:
- one website origin;
- one browser tab;
- one browsing session.
The stored information can normally be read only by pages from the same website origin inside that tab.
Common examples of information stored in Session Storage include:
- temporary form progress;
- the current step in a checkout process;
- temporary search filters;
- information used while moving between pages;
- short-term interface settings;
- temporary tool or application data.
Session Storage is useful when a website needs to remember something briefly but does not need to keep it during future visits.
A visitor completes the first two steps of a multi-page form. Session Storage can temporarily remember those entries while the visitor moves to the next page in the same tab.
How Does Session Storage Work?
Session Storage works inside the visitor’s browser. Website code can save information, read it again, update it, or remove it during the current tab session.
A simplified process looks like this:
- A visitor opens a website in a browser tab.
- The website saves a value in Session Storage.
- The visitor moves between pages in the same tab.
- The website reads the saved value when needed.
- The visitor closes the tab.
- The browser normally removes the Session Storage data for that tab.
The website stores temporary data
A website may save a value after the visitor performs an action.
For example, choosing a filter, entering form information, or opening a particular part of an online tool may create a Session Storage value.
The data remains available in the same tab
The website can usually continue reading the stored information while the visitor navigates between pages from the same origin in that tab.
This helps maintain temporary state without sending every detail to the server.
The data is normally removed when the tab closes
Session Storage is designed to last for the current page session.
When the tab or window containing that session is closed, the stored values are normally removed.
Browser session restoration can affect what a visitor experiences after reopening a browser. Website owners should not treat Session Storage as a guaranteed permanent record or rely on it for critical information.
How Long Does Session Storage Last?
Session Storage normally lasts as long as the current browser tab remains open.
Moving between pages on the same website does not usually remove it. Reloading the page also normally keeps the stored values available.
The data may disappear when:
- the visitor closes the tab;
- the visitor closes the browser window containing the tab;
- the website removes the stored values;
- the visitor clears website data;
- browser privacy features remove or restrict storage;
- the browser ends or resets the page session.
The exact behavior can vary depending on browser restoration features, private browsing, and how the browser manages closed sessions.
For that reason, Session Storage should be considered temporary rather than guaranteed to last for a precise number of minutes.
What Can Session Storage Store?
Session Storage saves information as text-based name-and-value pairs.
Website code can organise that text to represent more detailed information, such as settings, lists, or temporary application state.
Common uses include:
- form entries that should survive page navigation;
- the current step in a registration process;
- temporary shopping or booking information;
- search and filter selections;
- one-time notification states;
- temporary page settings;
- short-lived identifiers;
- information used by browser-based tools.
Although Session Storage can hold more data than a traditional cookie, it should not be used carelessly.
Website scripts from the same origin can normally access the stored values. Sensitive information, passwords, and valuable security credentials should not be placed there simply because the storage is temporary.
Session Storage vs Local Storage
Session Storage and Local Storage are both browser storage technologies, but their data lasts for different periods.
| Feature | Session Storage | Local Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Typical lifetime | Current tab session | Remains between visits until removed |
| After the tab closes | Normally removed | Normally remains stored |
| Shared between tabs | Normally no | Usually available to tabs from the same origin |
| Sent automatically to the server | No | No |
| Common use | Temporary page or form state | Longer-term preferences and application data |
| Accessed by website scripts | Yes | Yes |
In simple terms, Session Storage is designed for short-term information needed in one tab. Local Storage is designed for information that may still be useful during a later visit.
Read our complete guide explaining what Local Storage is for more information.
Session Storage vs Session Cookies
Session Storage and session cookies have similar names, but they are separate technologies.
| Feature | Session Storage | Session Cookie |
|---|---|---|
| Technology type | Web Storage | Browser cookie |
| Sent automatically with requests | No | Can be sent with matching requests |
| Typical scope | One browser tab | Can be available across matching pages and tabs |
| Typical lifetime | Current tab session | Current browser session |
| Storage capacity | Larger | Much smaller |
| Common use | Temporary browser-side state | Sessions and server communication |
A session cookie can help the website’s server recognise a current session because the browser may send the cookie with matching requests.
Session Storage remains inside the browser until website code actively reads or sends its contents.
You can learn more in our guide comparing session cookies and persistent cookies.
“Session” describes a temporary lifetime in both names, but Session Storage and session cookies use different technical systems and behave differently.
Common Uses for Session Storage
Multi-step forms
Session Storage can remember temporary form data while a visitor moves between several steps.
If the visitor closes the tab, the temporary information normally disappears.
Checkout and booking progress
A website may temporarily store the current checkout step, selected options, or booking progress.
Important order information should still be confirmed and stored securely through the website’s backend when necessary.
Search filters
A website may remember temporary filter or sorting choices while the visitor browses several result pages in the same tab.
Temporary interface settings
Session Storage can remember whether a panel is open, which tab is selected, or which view the visitor is currently using.
One-session messages
A website may use Session Storage to avoid repeatedly showing the same message during one tab session.
Browser-based tools
Interactive calculators, configurators, and website tools may use Session Storage to preserve temporary progress while the visitor moves between pages.
Advantages of Session Storage
It is temporary by design
Session Storage is useful when information should not normally remain during later visits.
This reduces the need for the website to manually manage a long expiration period.
It is normally limited to one tab
Separate tabs generally receive separate Session Storage areas.
This can be useful when a visitor performs different tasks in different tabs.
It stores more data than a cookie
Session Storage generally provides more space than an individual browser cookie.
This makes it suitable for temporary forms, interface state, and browser-based application information.
It is not automatically sent with every request
The browser does not automatically include Session Storage values in requests to the server.
Website code must actively read and transmit them when needed.
It can reduce unnecessary server storage
Temporary interface information can remain in the browser instead of being saved to a user account or database.
Limitations and Risks of Session Storage
The data can disappear unexpectedly
A visitor may close the tab, clear website data, use private browsing, or encounter a browser problem.
Critical information should not exist only in Session Storage.
It is not shared across tabs
A new tab from the same website normally receives a separate page session.
This can create inconsistent experiences when the visitor expects information to follow them between tabs.
Website scripts can access it
Scripts running on the same origin can normally read Session Storage values.
If harmful code runs on the website, stored information may be exposed.
It is not suitable for secure authentication
Session Storage should not automatically be used for valuable login credentials or sensitive authentication tokens.
The correct security design depends on the website and should be reviewed by a qualified developer.
Browser behavior can vary
Session restoration, private browsing, storage restrictions, and browser privacy features can affect the exact lifetime.
It can still support tracking
A website could temporarily store an identifier in Session Storage and use it during the current tab session.
The fact that the identifier is temporary does not automatically make the use necessary or privacy-friendly.
Use Session Storage only for information that can safely disappear when the visitor closes the tab.
Does Session Storage Require Consent?
Consent considerations depend on what is stored, why it is stored, and which rules apply to the website and its visitors.
Session Storage used for a feature requested by the visitor may be treated differently from storage used for analytics, advertising, profiling, or browser recognition.
Website owners should review:
- what information is stored;
- why the website needs it;
- whether it supports a service requested by the visitor;
- whether it is used for analytics or advertising;
- whether it contains an identifier;
- whether data is sent to an external provider;
- which regional privacy rules apply.
The temporary nature of Session Storage does not automatically remove consent or transparency requirements.
Our guide to cookie banner requirements explains why websites should review cookies and similar browser technologies according to their purpose.
Replacing an optional cookie with Session Storage does not automatically make the same analytics or advertising activity exempt from consent.
Can a Cookie Banner Control Session Storage?
A cookie banner does not automatically control Session Storage.
The website’s scripts and consent platform must be configured so optional information is not stored or used before the relevant visitor choice when required.
A suitable setup may need to:
- block optional scripts before consent;
- prevent analytics or advertising identifiers from being stored;
- activate accepted categories only after consent;
- stop optional storage when consent is withdrawn;
- clear relevant values where appropriate;
- allow visitors to change their preferences later.
Displaying a cookie banner without connecting it to the scripts using Session Storage does not provide technical control.
Can You View Session Storage in Your Browser?
Yes. Most modern browsers allow you to inspect Session Storage through developer tools.
In Google Chrome, you can normally:
- open the website you want to inspect;
- right-click the page and select Inspect;
- open the Application panel;
- find Session Storage under Storage;
- select the relevant website origin;
- review the stored names and values.
You can reload the page or navigate within the same tab to see whether the values remain.
You can also open the website in another tab and compare whether the same Session Storage data is available there.
Our guide explaining how to find cookies on a website covers similar browser developer tools.
Can a Cookie Scanner Detect Session Storage?
Some website scanners focus only on traditional browser cookies.
Broader scanners may also inspect:
- Session Storage;
- Local Storage;
- tracking scripts;
- external requests;
- tracking pixels;
- other browser storage technologies.
A scanner may miss Session Storage values that appear only after:
- opening a particular website feature;
- starting a form or checkout process;
- accepting a cookie category;
- logging into an account;
- playing embedded content;
- completing another user action.
Automated results should therefore be treated as a starting point rather than a complete guarantee.
Read our guide explaining what a cookie scanner is to learn more about automated website checks.
Common Misconceptions About Session Storage
Session Storage is a session cookie
No. Session Storage is part of Web Storage, while a session cookie is a browser cookie.
Session Storage is shared between every tab
Normally not. Each tab generally has its own page session and Session Storage area.
Session Storage is sent to the server automatically
No. Website code must actively read and send a stored value if the server needs it.
Session Storage always survives a browser restart
No. It is designed for the current page session, although browser restoration features may affect the visitor’s experience.
Session Storage is automatically secure
No. Website scripts can normally access it, so sensitive data should not be stored there without careful security planning.
Temporary storage never requires consent
Not necessarily. Consent considerations depend on the storage purpose and use, not only on how long the data remains.
Next Step: Compare Session Storage and Local Storage
Session Storage and Local Storage are both browser storage technologies, but they differ in lifetime, tab sharing, and common use. The next step is comparing them directly so you can understand when each one is appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this topic
Session Storage is a browser feature that temporarily saves website data for the current browser tab and page session.
It normally does. Browser restoration and privacy features can affect the exact behavior, so websites should not rely on it as permanent storage.
No. Session Storage is usually limited to one tab session, while Local Storage normally remains available between visits until it is removed.
No. A session cookie can be sent with matching server requests, while Session Storage remains in the browser until website scripts read it.
Yes. It can temporarily store identifiers or other information used during the current tab session.
Yes. Closing the tab normally removes it, and visitors can also clear it through browser settings or developer tools.
It may. Requirements depend on what is stored, why it is used, and which privacy rules apply.
