Cookie Policy Template
A cookie policy tells visitors what cookies your website uses — essential, analytics, advertising or functional — and how they can control them. It's a standard requirement alongside your privacy policy for most UK websites.
What this cookie policy covers
- What cookies are and how they work
- Essential cookies needed for the site to function
- Analytics, advertising and functional cookies, if used
- Third-party cookies
- How visitors can control or delete cookies
When you need a cookie policy
- Running any website that sets cookies
- Using analytics tools like Google Analytics
- Running ads or tracking pixels (Google Ads, Meta/Facebook Pixel, etc.)
- Alongside your privacy policy and terms of use
The legal framework
Understanding the law behind a cookie policy helps you use it well. Here is the key UK legislation that applies:
Frequently asked questions
Do I legally need a cookie policy in the UK?
If your website uses cookies beyond the strictly essential ones, UK law (PECR, alongside UK GDPR) generally requires you to tell visitors what cookies you use and get consent for non-essential ones — a cookie policy is the standard way to do this.
Is a cookie policy the same as a privacy policy?
No. A privacy policy covers how you handle personal data generally, while a cookie policy specifically explains the cookies and similar tracking technologies your site uses. Many sites have both, and a cookie policy is often linked from the privacy policy.
How Legal Lift helps
Answer a few plain-English questions — including which types of cookies your site actually uses — and our generator produces a tailored cookie policy, ready to edit, download as PDF or Word. Every template is kept current with UK law, and our SRA-regulated solicitor partners are available if you'd like it reviewed.