How to Use Picture-in-Picture Mode in Chrome

Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode lets you pop a video out of its webpage into a small floating window that stays on top of all your other windows while you work. You can move it to any corner of your screen and resize it freely. This guide covers every way to use Picture-in-Picture mode in Chrome — the built-in method, keyboard shortcuts, and the best extensions that extend its capabilities.

What Is Picture-in-Picture Mode?

Picture-in-Picture is a standard web API that Chrome supports natively. When a video enters PiP mode, it detaches from the webpage and floats as an always-on-top overlay on your desktop. You can continue using other applications — editing a document, browsing other tabs, writing code — while the video keeps playing in the corner of your screen.

Method 1: Right-Click the Video Twice

The simplest way to activate PiP on most websites:

Start playing a video on any website (YouTube, Netflix, Vimeo, etc.).
Right-click the video once to open the site's context menu.
Right-click a second time (on the context menu itself) to open Chrome's own context menu.
Click "Picture in Picture".

The video immediately pops out into a floating window. This works on YouTube, Vimeo, and most HTML5 video players.

Method 2: The Address Bar Icon

When a video is playing in any tab, Chrome shows a small camera/video icon in the address bar. Click it to enter Picture-in-Picture mode instantly without right-clicking. This icon appears automatically on sites where Chrome detects video playback.

Method 3: Chrome's Global Media Controls

Click the cast/media icon in the Chrome toolbar (it appears when any audio or video is playing). In the media controls popup, you'll see a PiP button for supported video sources. This is useful when the right-click method doesn't work on a particular site.

Method 4: Keyboard Shortcut

Chrome doesn't have a built-in keyboard shortcut for PiP, but you can create one using an extension (see below), or use the Alt+P shortcut if your operating system or video player supports it.

Does Picture-in-Picture Work on Netflix?

Netflix blocks the standard right-click PiP method. You can work around this with:

The Chrome address bar icon method (works on some Netflix plans)
A dedicated PiP extension that forces PiP mode on DRM-protected video

Best Chrome Extensions for Picture-in-Picture

Picture-in-Picture Extension (by Google)

Google's own PiP extension adds a dedicated toolbar button that activates PiP on any tab with a single click. It also activates PiP on sites where the right-click method fails. This is the recommended extension from Chrome's own team and is available on the Chrome Web Store.

PiP — Picture in Picture for Any Website

A third-party extension that works on a broader range of sites, including some that Google's official extension misses. It also supports streaming services that restrict standard PiP access.

Floating for YouTube

Specifically designed for YouTube, this extension keeps YouTube videos in a floating window even when you switch to another tab. It bypasses YouTube's occasional blocking of native PiP mode and supports YouTube Shorts.

Controlling the PiP Window

Once a video is in PiP mode:

Move it: Click and drag the floating window to any corner of your screen.
Resize it: Drag the edges of the window to make it larger or smaller.
Pause/play: Click the play button on the PiP window's overlay controls.
Return to tab: Click the expand icon on the PiP overlay to bring the video back to its original tab.
Close it: Click the X on the PiP window to close the floating video.

Tips for Using PiP Effectively

Position the PiP window in the corner that overlaps least with content you're reading or editing.
Use PiP for background content like podcasts, music videos, or conference calls while working.
Combine PiP with Chrome's tab muting (right-click the tab and select "Mute Tab") to control audio independently.
On a multi-monitor setup, drag the PiP window to a secondary monitor for a fully distraction-free workflow.

Conclusion

Picture-in-Picture mode in Chrome is one of those features that, once you start using it, you'll wonder how you managed without it. The built-in right-click method works on most sites, and Google's official PiP extension covers the exceptions. For YouTube-specific PiP, the Floating for YouTube extension offers the smoothest experience. Explore more useful Chrome extensions like these in the Unscart directory.