To use Split View in Chrome, right-click a tab and select Split view, then pick the tab you want on the other side. Chrome puts both pages in the same window, side by side, and both stay live. Drag the divider to resize, and click the X on the divider to exit.
Before you start
- Applies to: Chrome on Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS. Split View is a desktop feature.
- You need: A recent version of Chrome. Older builds do not have it.
- Limitation: Split View works within a single Chrome window. You cannot split across two separate windows.
What is Split View in Chrome?
Split View is a built-in Chrome feature that shows two tabs in one window at the same time. Both pages stay active, so you can scroll, type, or play video on either side. It saves the constant back-and-forth of tab switching when you are comparing pages or working from one page while writing in another.
How do I open Split View?
- Right-click the tab you want on the left.
- Select Split view.
- Chrome opens a second panel beside it.
- Choose the tab you want on the right.
Chrome places the tab you right-clicked on the left. You can change sides afterwards.
Can I open a link directly in Split View?
Yes. Right-click any link on a page and choose the split view option from the context menu. Chrome opens that link in a second panel beside the page you are already on, which is quicker than opening a tab and then splitting it.
How do I resize the two panels?
- Hover over the vertical divider between the two pages.
- When the pointer changes, drag it left or right.
- Release when both pages have the width you want.
Chrome remembers the divider position for the current session.
How do I swap the left and right tabs?
- Right-click inside either panel, or on the split view icon.
- Select Swap tabs.
- Chrome switches the two sides.
How do I exit Split View?
Any of these works:
- Click the X on the divider.
- Close one of the two panels with its tab close button.
- Right-click a tab and select Exit split view.
Chrome goes back to the standard single-page layout, and both tabs stay open.
What is Split View actually good for?
- Reading documentation while writing notes.
- Comparing two product or listing pages.
- Following a video tutorial while doing the steps.
- Editing a Google Doc with your research beside it.
- Keeping an eye on a chat window while browsing.
Why is Split View not showing up?
Work through these in order.
1. Update Chrome
- Click the three-dot menu.
- Go to Help then About Google Chrome.
- Let Chrome check for updates and install any it finds.
- Relaunch Chrome.
This is the most common cause. Older builds simply do not have the feature.
2. Check the Split view flag
Depending on your Chrome version and channel, the feature may still be behind a flag.
- Go to
chrome://flags. - Search for Split view.
- If the flag exists, set it to Enabled.
- Click Relaunch.
If no such flag appears, the feature is either already built into your version or not yet available on your platform. Note that chrome://flags entries are experimental and Google can remove them at any time.
3. Restart Chrome fully
Close every Chrome window and reopen the browser. A stale session can leave the option missing from the menu.
4. Disable tab-management extensions
Some tab-management extensions override Chrome’s native tab behaviour.
- Go to
chrome://extensions. - Turn off tab-related extensions one at a time.
- Try Split View again after each one.
5. Test a fresh Chrome profile
- Click your profile icon.
- Select Add and create a new profile.
- Try Split View in that profile.
If it works in the new profile, something in your original profile is interfering, most likely an extension or a policy.
Frequently asked questions
How do I open Split View in Chrome?
Right-click a tab, select Split view, then choose the tab you want on the other side.
Does Split View work on Chrome for Android or iPhone?
No. Split View is a desktop feature. On mobile, Chrome uses the operating system’s own split-screen instead.
Can I split more than two tabs?
No. Split View supports two tabs in one window. For more, use separate windows arranged by your operating system.
Can I split tabs from two different Chrome windows?
No. Both tabs must be in the same window. Drag one tab into the other window first.
Does Chrome remember my Split View layout?
The divider position is kept for the current session. The split itself does not persist once you exit it.
Why is there no Split view option in my right-click menu?
Usually an outdated Chrome version. Update Chrome first, then check for a Split view flag at chrome://flags.
Related guides
- How to Stop Forced Split Screen in Chrome for Android
- How to Disable Incognito Split-Screen Mode in Chrome for Android
- Fix Chrome Android Error: “Unable to launch Chrome (You can have up to 5 windows)”
Split View is one of those features that sounds minor and then quietly changes how you work. Open it from the tab menu, drag the divider until the balance is right, and close it with the X when you are done. If the option is missing, updating Chrome fixes it nine times out of ten.
