Recent versions of macOS tile windows on their own. Halves, quarters, fill and centre are built in, and you can reach them four ways. This guide shows each, then points out the layouts that still need an app.
Try every layout#
Click a layout to see where the window lands, and whether macOS does it alone.
Try the layouts
Built into macOS
Window → Move & Resize → Left, or press Fn Control ←
Menu names and shortcuts are for macOS Sequoia and later, and can differ slightly between releases.
Four ways to snap#
Pick the route that suits your hands
- Mouse
Drag to an edge or corner
Move the window until the pointer meets the edge. Release when the outline appears. Hold Option for faster tiling.
- Mouse
Hover over the green button
Choose a layout under Move & Resize or Fill & Arrange.
- Menu
Window menu
Window → Move & Resize, Fill, Center, and Full Screen Tile.
- Fastest
Keyboard
Press Fn ⌃ with an arrow for halves, Fn ⌃ F to fill and Fn ⌃ C to centre.
Keyboard shortcuts#
| Shortcut | Result |
|---|---|
| Fn ⌃ ← | Left half |
| Fn ⌃ → | Right half |
| Fn ⌃ ↑ | Top half |
| Fn ⌃ ↓ | Bottom half |
| Fn ⌃ F | Fill the desktop |
| Fn ⌃ C | Centre the window |
On many keyboards the Fn key is the Globe key. Quarters and multi-window arrangements live in the menu and under the green button. For more keys worth learning, see essential Mac keyboard shortcuts.
Two windows side by side, step by step#
- Click the first window and hover over the green button.
- Choose a half under Move & Resize.
- macOS offers the remaining space to your other open windows. Click the one you want.
- Both now share the screen. Drag the divider between them to resize, if your version allows.
More than one display#
Each display tiles on its own. Move a window to the other screen by dragging it, then tile it there. Tiling works against the display the window currently sits on.
Where the built-in tools run out#
| macOS | Window manager app | |
|---|---|---|
| Halves and quarters | Yes | Yes |
| Fill and centre | Yes | Yes |
| Thirds and two-thirds | No | Yes |
| Your own shortcut keys for every layout | Partly | Yes |
| Move a window to another display by keyboard | Check the vendor | Yes |
| Saved multi-window layouts | Check the vendor | Check the vendor |
If you want thirds or per-layout shortcuts, a window manager adds them. Free Rectangle and the low-cost Magnet are the usual starting points. Read Rectangle vs Magnet for the head-to-head, or Best Window Managers for Mac for the full list.
Fix snapping that misbehaves#
- Windows do not snap. Open System Settings → Desktop & Dock and check the window tiling options.
- Dragging to the top opens Mission Control. Turn off the option for dragging windows to the top of the screen in Desktop & Dock.
- A tiling app and macOS fight. Turn off one set of edge-snapping, so they do not both react to the same drag.
- The window will not resize. Some apps limit minimum sizes. Try another layout.
Frequently asked questions#
Does macOS have split screen?#
Yes. Split View puts two apps full screen side by side, and window tiling arranges windows on the desktop. Tiling is more flexible.
Can I tile into thirds without an app?#
Not natively. Use a window manager such as Rectangle or Magnet.
How do I undo a snap?#
Drag the window away from its tile and it returns toward its previous size. A window manager may also offer a restore shortcut.
Which macOS version added tiling?#
Window tiling arrived in a recent major release. If the green button shows no layout menu, update macOS.
Written by
Guides are researched, written, and maintained by the Atypical Mac User editorial team. Every procedure is checked against the current version of macOS before it is marked as published.
Last updated . First published .
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