Split tabs in Chrome are on the way to boost your multitasking

Google Chrome appears to have been experimenting with a new productivity feature for the past month or so that would allow users to view two separate web pages within a single browser tab. This capability, which effectively splits a tab into two distinct sections, was uncovered by the keen eyes of @Leopeva64 and posted to X back in February.

While the feature is still hidden behind the scenes in the latest development builds of Chrome and isn’t yet functional for general users, the groundwork suggests a potentially useful addition for multitasking. Based on the early look at this new Split Tabs feature in action, you’ll simply have to right-click on an active tab, select a new option labeled “Split Tab with Active Tab.” This then divides the current tab’s viewing area, allowing for what amounts to another tab embedded in the existing tab window.

This concept isn’t entirely novel in the browser space. Microsoft Edge users might recognize a similar implementation called “Split Screen,” which has been available for some time. In Edge, this feature is typically toggled via an icon in the toolbar or through the main settings menu. Edge also offers an “Open link in split screen window” option when right-clicking links, achieving a comparable result for specific workflows. Hopefully all these features come to the Chrome implementation as well.

As is often the case with features discovered in early development stages, there’s no firm timeline on when this tab splitting capability will make its way to the stable, public version of Google Chrome (if it even does). We’ll be keeping a close watch on the development channels and will report back as soon as more information becomes available or the feature begins to actually roll out.