Split-screen lets you run two programs side by side on one monitor

Split-screen divides your monitor into two halves, each showing a different window. Instead of switching between programs or using two monitors, you arrange them so both are visible at once. This works on Windows, Mac, and Linux, though the method depends on your operating system and monitor size.

The easiest approach on Windows 10 and 11 is to drag a window to the edge of your screen — the system automatically resizes it to fill half the space. On a Mac, you use Mission Control or the green maximize button. Linux desktops vary, but most offer similar drag-to-edge features or keyboard shortcuts. The feature works on any monitor size, though it is most useful on screens 24 inches or larger, where each half still shows enough detail to work comfortably.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 and 11, drag any window to the left or right edge of your screen and it snaps to fill exactly half the monitor.
  • Mac users can hold the green maximize button to choose which half of the screen an app occupies, or use Mission Control to arrange windows.
  • A monitor at least 24 inches wide makes split-screen practical; smaller screens leave each half too cramped for comfortable work.
  • You can split the screen into more than two sections using keyboard shortcuts or third-party tools, though this works best on larger displays.

How to split screen on Windows 10 and 11

Windows has built-in snap features that require no setup. Open the first program you want to use, then drag its title bar to the left edge of your monitor until your cursor touches the edge. The window will highlight and show a preview of how it will resize. Release the mouse, and the window snaps to fill the left half of the screen.

Open your second program. Drag it to the right edge of the screen the same way. It snaps to fill the right half. Both windows now occupy the screen at the same time, and you can click between them or resize the dividing line by dragging it left or right if you want one window larger than the other.

You can also use keyboard shortcuts instead of dragging. Press Windows key + Left arrow to snap the active window to the left half, or Windows key + Right arrow to snap it to the right half. This is faster if you use split-screen often.

How to split screen on Mac

Mac handles split-screen differently. Open the first app you want to use, then hold down the green maximize button in the top-left corner of the window. A menu appears showing options to tile the window to the left or right side of the screen. Choose one side, and the window resizes to fill that half.

Open your second app. Hold the green button again and choose the opposite side. Both apps now share the screen. On newer Macs, you can also swipe left with three fingers on the trackpad to open Mission Control, which shows all open windows. Drag one window to the top of the screen to enter full-screen split mode, then choose a second app from the dock or open windows to fill the other half.

Split-screen on Linux desktops

Linux behavior depends on which desktop environment you use. GNOME (the default on Ubuntu) supports snap-to-edge: drag a window to the left or right edge and it snaps to fill half the screen, just like Windows. KDE Plasma works the same way. XFCE and other lightweight desktops may not have automatic snapping, but you can manually resize windows by dragging the edges.

Many Linux users also use keyboard shortcuts through their window manager. Common shortcuts include Super + Left and Super + Right (where Super is the Windows key), though these vary by distribution. Check your desktop's settings menu under Windows or Keyboard to see what shortcuts are available.

When split-screen works well and when it does not

Split-screen is most useful when you need to reference one program while working in another — comparing a spreadsheet to a document, watching a video while taking notes, or reading email while writing. It saves the time of switching windows back and forth.

Split-screen becomes awkward on monitors smaller than 24 inches, where each half is too narrow to show much detail. It also does not work well if both programs need a lot of horizontal space, like video editing software or spreadsheets with many columns. In those cases, a second monitor is more practical than splitting one screen.

Splitting into more than two sections

Windows 11 includes a feature called Snap Layouts that lets you divide your screen into four or six sections at once. Click and hold the maximize button on any window, and a grid appears showing different layout options. Choose a layout, and the window snaps to one section. Open other programs and click on empty sections to fill them. This works well on monitors 27 inches or larger.

Windows 10 does not have Snap Layouts built in, but third-party tools like PowerToys FancyZones (free from Microsoft) let you create custom grid layouts and snap windows to them. Linux users can install tools like Tilix (for terminal windows) or Wmctrl (for any window), though setup requires more technical knowledge.

Resizing and adjusting split windows

Once two windows are snapped to each side of your screen, you can adjust how much space each one gets. Move your cursor to the dividing line between them — it will change to a resize cursor (a double-headed arrow). Click and drag left or right to give more space to one window and less to the other. Release to set the new size.

If you want to unsnap a window, drag its title bar away from the edge toward the center of the screen. It returns to its previous size and position. You can also press Windows key + Up arrow on Windows to maximize a snapped window, or Windows key + Down arrow to minimize it.

Monitor size and split-screen comfort

A 24-inch monitor is the practical minimum for split-screen work. At that size, each half is roughly 12 inches wide, which is enough to read text and see most program interfaces clearly. A 27-inch monitor gives each half about 13.5 inches of width, making it noticeably more comfortable. Ultrawide monitors (34 inches or wider) are ideal for split-screen because each half still has plenty of space.

If you have a smaller monitor and find split-screen cramped, a second monitor is usually a better investment than trying to make split-screen work. Two 24-inch monitors side by side give you more total screen space and let each program run at full size without compromise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I split a monitor into three or four windows at once?

Yes, on Windows 11 using Snap Layouts, or on any system using third-party tools. Windows 11's built-in feature lets you choose from several preset grids — two, three, four, or six sections. For custom layouts, PowerToys FancyZones on Windows or Tilix on Linux give you more control over how many sections you create.

Does split-screen work on ultrawide monitors?

Yes, and it works especially well. An ultrawide monitor (34 inches or wider) can comfortably fit two or three full-sized windows side by side. Each window still has enough width to display content clearly, unlike on smaller monitors where split-screen can feel cramped.

What if I drag a window to the edge and it does not snap?

On Windows, make sure you are dragging from the title bar (the very top of the window) and that you drag all the way to the edge until your cursor touches the screen border. If it still does not snap, check Settings > System > Multitasking and make sure "Snap windows" is turned on. On Mac or Linux, the behavior varies by desktop environment — check your system settings under Windows or Display.

Can I save a split-screen layout so it opens the same way every time?

Windows does not save split layouts automatically, but third-party tools like PowerToys FancyZones let you create and save custom layouts. On Mac, you can use third-party apps like Magnet or Moom to save window arrangements. Linux users can script window positions using wmctrl or their window manager's configuration files.

Is split-screen better than using two monitors?

It depends on your work. Split-screen is convenient and costs nothing if you already have one monitor. Two monitors give you more total space and let each program run at full size without compromise. For heavy multitasking or professional work like video editing, two monitors are usually better. For occasional reference work, split-screen is often enough.