How to Enable Vertical Tabs in Google Chrome

If you always have too many tabs open, Chrome now has a built-in fix. Vertical tabs move your tab strip from the top of the browser to the left side, so you can actually read tab titles again. No extensions needed.

How to Turn On Vertical Tabs

1. Open Google Chrome on your desktop.
2. Right-click anywhere on the tab strip at the top of the window.
3. Select Show Tabs Vertically from the menu.
4. Your tabs instantly move to a collapsible sidebar on the left.

To switch back, right-click anywhere in the vertical tab sidebar and choose Show Tabs Horizontally.

You can also turn it on through settings: go to the three-dot menu, click Settings, then Appearance, and set Tab strip position to Side.

Quick Tips

• Collapse the sidebar to icon-only view to save space — click the arrow at the top of the sidebar.
• Tab groups still work just like before, but they are much easier to navigate in vertical view.
• If you do not see the option yet, update Chrome first via the three-dot menu, then Help, then About Google Chrome.

Vertical tabs shipped in Chrome 146 in March 2026 and are now available to everyone on desktop. Windows, Mac, and Linux are all supported. Mobile is not included yet.