Picture-in-Picture Extension by Google: Floating Video Window

Watching a conference talk while you take notes, or keeping an eye on a live stream while you answer email, is easier when the video floats above everything else. Picture-in-Picture (PiP) does exactly that: the video pops out into a small window that stays on top of other windows, even outside the browser.

How to use it

1. Click Download to open the extension on the Chrome Web Store and add it to Chrome.
2. Start a video on any page.
3. Click the extension’s toolbar icon, or press Alt + P (⌥ + P on macOS).

The video moves into a floating window that you can drag to any corner and resize. Close the window or click the button again to send the video back to the page.

Why use an extension for this?

Chrome itself supports picture-in-picture, but many sites don’t show a button for it, or hide it in a menu. The extension gives you one consistent icon and one shortcut that works across sites.

Good to know

• It is made by Google, and the source code is published on GitHub under the GoogleChromeLabs organization.
• It is a very small extension with a single job, so it adds almost nothing to your browser.
• Some sites with custom video players may not play well with it.

Pair it with Video Speed Controller to watch lectures faster while you work, or with Volume Master when the floating video is too quiet.