Picture in Picture lets you watch YouTube in a small window while you work

Picture in Picture is a YouTube feature that shrinks the video into a floating window you can move around your screen while you keep working in other programs. On a PC, you can enable it through YouTube's settings, your browser's built-in tools, or a keyboard shortcut—depending on which method works best for your setup. The video keeps playing in that small window while you browse, write, or use other applications at full size.

The feature works on Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari on Windows and Mac. YouTube Premium members get Picture in Picture automatically, but the feature is also available to free users through browser settings or keyboard commands. Once you turn it on, the small video window stays on top of everything else until you close it or return to full-screen viewing.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube Premium members can enable Picture in Picture directly from the video player menu, while free users can use browser settings or keyboard shortcuts.
  • On Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, you can right-click the video and select Picture in Picture from the context menu without any setup.
  • The small video window floats above other windows and can be moved, resized, and positioned anywhere on your screen.
  • If Picture in Picture is not available in your browser, check that you are using an updated version and that the feature is enabled in your browser settings.

Enable Picture in Picture through YouTube Premium

If you have a YouTube Premium subscription, Picture in Picture is built into the video player. Open any video, and look for the three-dot menu icon in the bottom right corner of the player. Click it and select Picture in Picture from the dropdown menu. The video will when ready shrink into a floating window in the corner of your screen.

You can drag the small window to any corner or edge of your screen, and resize it by dragging the corners. The video continues playing, and you can minimize it, move it behind other windows, or close it by clicking the X button. To return to full-screen viewing, click the video window and select the full-screen icon, or double-click the small window itself.

Use the right-click method on Chrome, Edge, or Firefox

Free users can access Picture in Picture on most browsers without any settings changes. While watching a YouTube video, right-click directly on the video itself (not on the player controls). A context menu will appear with several options. Look for and click Picture in Picture or Watch in Picture in Picture depending on your browser.

The video will pop out into a small floating window when ready. This method works on Chrome, Edge, and Firefox on both Windows and Mac. If you do not see the Picture in Picture option in the right-click menu, your browser may not support it or it may be disabled in your browser settings—check the next section for how to enable it.

Turn on Picture in Picture in your browser settings

If the right-click method does not work, Picture in Picture may be turned off in your browser. The steps differ slightly by browser, but the process is straightforward.

On Chrome: Click the three-line menu in the top right, select Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Site Settings. Scroll down and click Picture-in-picture. Make sure the toggle next to "Sites can ask to use picture-in-picture" is turned on (it should be blue). Return to YouTube and try right-clicking the video again.

On Edge: Click the three-dot menu in the top right, select Settings, then Privacy, Search, and Services. Scroll down to Permissions and click Picture in picture. Toggle on "Allow sites to create picture-in-picture windows." Go back to YouTube and right-click the video.

On Firefox: Type about:preferences in the address bar and press Enter. Click Privacy & Security on the left side. Scroll down to Permissions and look for Picture-in-Picture. Make sure the checkbox next to "Allow picture-in-picture" is checked. Return to YouTube and right-click the video.

Use the keyboard shortcut for faster access

Once Picture in Picture is enabled in your browser, you can set up it with a keyboard shortcut instead of right-clicking every time. While watching a YouTube video, press P on your keyboard to toggle Picture in Picture on and off when ready. This works on Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.

The keyboard shortcut is the fastest method if you switch between Picture in Picture and full-screen viewing often. You can press P again to exit Picture in Picture and return to normal viewing. If the P key does not work, make sure the video player itself is in focus (click on the video once) before pressing the key.

Move and resize the Picture in Picture window

Once the small video window appears, you have full control over its position and size. Click and drag the window itself to move it to any corner or edge of your screen. To resize it, position your cursor at any corner of the window until a resize cursor appears, then drag outward to make it larger or inward to make it smaller.

The window will stay in place and on top of other windows until you close it or switch back to full-screen. You can minimize other windows behind it, or drag it to a second monitor if you have one connected. The video continues playing at whatever volume you set, and you can adjust the volume using the small controls that appear when you hover over the window.

Troubleshoot if Picture in Picture is not working

If Picture in Picture does not appear when you right-click or press P, first check that your browser is fully updated. Older browser versions may not support the feature. On Chrome, click the three-line menu and look for "Update Google Chrome" at the top—if you see it, click it and restart the browser. On Edge, click the three-dot menu and select Settings, then About Microsoft Edge to check for updates. On Firefox, click the menu button and select Help, then About Firefox.

If your browser is up to date and Picture in Picture is still not working, the feature may be disabled in your browser settings. Return to the settings steps in the section above and verify that Picture in Picture is toggled on. If it is already on, try disabling it and re-enabling it, then restart your browser. If the issue persists, try a different browser to see if the feature works there—this will tell you whether the problem is with your browser or with your YouTube account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Picture in Picture on YouTube without Premium?

Yes. Free users can access Picture in Picture by right-clicking the video and selecting Picture in Picture from the menu, or by pressing P while watching. YouTube Premium members have the feature available directly in the video player menu, but the functionality is the same for both groups.

Does Picture in Picture work on all browsers?

Picture in Picture works on Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari on both Windows and Mac. It may not work on older browser versions, so check that your browser is fully updated. Some less common browsers do not support the feature.

Can I resize the Picture in Picture window?

Yes. Drag any corner of the small window to make it larger or smaller. You can also drag the window itself to move it anywhere on your screen. The window stays on top of other windows until you close it.

What if the P key does not work for Picture in Picture?

Make sure the video player is in focus by clicking on the video once before pressing P. If it still does not work, use the right-click method instead. The keyboard shortcut may not work if another program is using the P key, or if your browser does not have Picture in Picture enabled in settings.

Can I watch Picture in Picture on a second monitor?

Yes. You can drag the small window to your second monitor and position it anywhere. This is useful if you want to watch a video on one monitor while working on another.