Split Screen Browsers: How to Use Them

Split screen browsers let you view two or more web pages side by side in the same window, so you can compare products, take notes, or watch a video while reading an article without constantly switching tabs. You can set this up using your operating system’s built-in window snapping, a browser’s native tab features, or a dedicated extension. The method you choose depends on your device, your browser, and how much control you need over the layout.

What “Split Screen� Means in a Browser

Strictly speaking, most modern browsers do not have a built-in “split screen� button that divides the window into two panes. Instead, the term covers several different ways to show multiple pages at once:

• Window snapping (OS-level): Dragging a browser window to the left or right edge of your screen resizes it to fill that half. You then do the same with a second window on the other side. This works in Windows, macOS, and most Linux desktop environments.
• Tab tiling (browser feature): Some browsers, like Microsoft Edge and Vivaldi, have a built-in “split viewâ€� or “tile tabsâ€� feature that arranges two tabs side by side within the same window.
• Extensions: Add-ons like “Tile Tabsâ€� for Firefox or “Tab Resizeâ€� for Chrome create a grid of panes inside the browser window, each showing a different URL.
• Picture-in-picture (PiP): Not a true split screen, but a small floating video window that stays on top of other tabs or apps. It’s useful for watching a video while browsing another page.

Each approach has trade-offs. OS snapping is free and works with any app, but it only gives you two (or four, with keyboard shortcuts) equal-sized panes. Browser extensions offer more flexibility (three, four, or more panes, adjustable sizes) but can consume more memory and occasionally break after browser updates.

How to Set Up Split Screen on Windows and macOS

If you just need two pages side by side, the fastest method is your operating system’s window manager. It requires no installation and works with any browser.

On Windows 10 and 11:

1. Open the first browser window and drag its title bar to the left or right edge of the screen until you see a translucent outline. Release the mouse to snap it to that half.
2. Windows will show thumbnails of your other open windows on the empty half. Click the second browser window (or any other app) to fill that side.
3. Alternatively, select the window and press Win + Left Arrow or Win + Right Arrow. To get four quadrants, use the arrow keys after snapping (e.g., Win + Left then Win + Up).

On macOS:

1. Click and hold the green traffic-light button (full-screen button) in the top-left corner of the first window.
2. Choose “Tile Window to Left of Screen� or “Tile Window to Right of Screen.� The window will resize to that half.
3. Click the other window on the remaining side to complete the split.

To adjust the divider, drag the vertical line between the two windows. To exit, press the green button again or press Esc (on macOS) or the Win + Up shortcut (on Windows).

Built-In Split View in Specific Browsers

Some browsers have native split-screen features that keep both pages in one window, which is handy if you want to save the layout as a session or use it on a single monitor without overlapping windows.

Microsoft Edge: Edge has a “Split Screen� button in the toolbar (a rectangle divided by a vertical line). Click it, and the current tab splits into two panes. You can then open a different URL in the second pane. The two panes scroll independently, and you can drag the divider to resize. This feature is available in recent versions of Edge (Chromium-based) and is toggled from the toolbar or the Ctrl + Shift + 2 shortcut (in some versions).

Vivaldi: Vivaldi is a Chromium-based browser that has offered tile tabs for years. You can select two or more tabs, right-click, and choose “Tile Tab Stack� to arrange them side by side or in a grid. Vivaldi also has a “Split View� mode that can be triggered from the status bar.

Firefox and Chrome: As of 2024, neither Firefox nor Chrome has a built-in split-screen toggle. However, Chrome’s “Tab Search� and “Reading List� do not provide this. You must rely on OS snapping or extensions.

Using Extensions for More Control

When you need more than two panes, or you want to save a specific layout and reopen it later, extensions are the best route. Two popular ones:

• Tab Resize (Chrome/Edge): Adds a toolbar icon that, when clicked, shows a grid (e.g., 2×2, 3×1). Selecting a layout splits the current window into that many panes, each loading a different tab. You can drag tabs between panes.
• Tile Tabs WE (Firefox): Similar functionality for Firefox. It creates a separate window with tiled sub-windows that can be saved as a “sessionâ€� and reopened later.

Extensions are generally safe, but be mindful that they run with your browser’s permissions. Only install from official stores (Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons) and check the number of users and recent reviews. Some extensions have not been updated in years, which can cause them to stop working after a major browser update.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Split-screen browsing is usually straightforward, but a few issues pop up:

• Windows don’t snap to half: On Windows, ensure “Snap windowsâ€� is enabled in Settings > System > Multitasking. On macOS, check System Settings > Desktop & Dock > “Tile windowsâ€� is on.
• The two panes are not the same size: OS snapping gives equal halves, but you can drag the divider. In Edge’s split view, drag the central bar. In extensions, there is usually a handle.
• Websites don’t adapt to narrow widths: Some sites have a fixed minimum width and will show horizontal scrollbars. You can zoom out (Ctrl + -) or use a responsive design viewer extension to force a mobile view.
• Memory usage spikes: Each pane is a separate renderer process. If you have many tabs open, close unused ones or use a lightweight browser like Vivaldi that has built-in tab sleeping.
• Keyboard shortcuts conflict: Some extensions override default shortcuts. Check the extension’s settings to reassign them.

Split Screen vs. Multiple Monitors vs. PiP

Split screen in one window is not always the best solution. Here’s how it compares to other setups:

• Multiple monitors: The most comfortable for long-term productivity because you get full-size windows. But it costs physical space and money. Split screen is a free alternative for laptops or single-monitor setups.
• Picture-in-Picture (PiP): Best for video. You can float a YouTube or Netflix video in a small corner while working in another tab. It uses less memory than a second tab because it only renders the video, not the whole page.
• Side-by-side windows (OS-level): This is what most people mean by split screen. It gives you the full browser UI (address bar, bookmarks) in each pane, which is better for tasks like copying URLs or using different profiles (e.g., one personal, one work).

For most users, a single monitor with two snapped windows is sufficient. If you find yourself constantly switching between three or more pages, consider a tiling extension or a second monitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I split screen in Chrome?

Chrome does not have a built-in split-screen button. Your options are to snap two Chrome windows side by side using your operating system, or install an extension like “Tab Resize� to tile tabs within one window. The extension approach gives you a divider you can drag, but it uses more memory.

Does split screen slow down my computer?

Yes, potentially. Each visible page is a separate process that consumes CPU and RAM. If you have two complex pages (like a video and a heavy web app), you may notice lag. To reduce impact, close unused tabs, disable hardware acceleration on very old machines, or use PiP for video instead of a full second pane.

How do I get split screen back to normal?

On Windows, drag the divider to one edge or press Win + Up to maximize the active window. On macOS, click the green button again or press Esc. In Edge’s split view, click the “Split Screen� button again to exit. Extensions usually have a “restore� button in their toolbar icon.

Does split screen work on mobile browsers?

On phones, split screen is an OS feature, not a browser one. On Android, you can use “Split screen� from the recent apps menu to show two apps (e.g., Chrome and a notes app) at once. On iPad, you can use “Split View� by dragging a second app from the dock. Most mobile browsers do not offer in-browser split tabs.

Is there a keyboard shortcut for split screen?

Yes, for OS snapping: Win + Left/Right on Windows, Ctrl + Left/Right on macOS (or hold the green button). In Edge, the shortcut is Ctrl + Shift + 2 (in recent versions). Extensions often let you assign custom shortcuts.

Can I save a split-screen layout to reopen later?

Yes, with some tools. Vivaldi’s “Tile Tab Stack� can be saved as a session. Extensions like “Tab Resize� do not save layouts, but you can bookmark the two URLs and reopen them in a new window, then snap them again. On Windows, you can also use “Snap Layouts� (hover over the maximize button) to quickly reapply a saved arrangement.

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