diff --git a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/PageLayout/PageToolbar.tsx b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/PageLayout/PageToolbar.tsx
index 83e1f292643..b31470ae630 100644
--- a/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/PageLayout/PageToolbar.tsx
+++ b/packages/grafana-ui/src/components/PageLayout/PageToolbar.tsx
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ export interface Props {
   className?: string;
   isFullscreen?: boolean;
   'aria-label'?: string;
+  buttonOverflowAlignment?: 'left' | 'right';
 }
 
 /** @alpha */
@@ -42,6 +43,7 @@ export const PageToolbar: FC<Props> = React.memo(
     className,
     /** main nav-container aria-label **/
     'aria-label': ariaLabel,
+    buttonOverflowAlignment = 'right',
   }) => {
     const styles = useStyles2(getStyles);
 
@@ -132,7 +134,9 @@ export const PageToolbar: FC<Props> = React.memo(
             )}
           </nav>
         </div>
-        <ToolbarButtonRow alignment="right">{React.Children.toArray(children).filter(Boolean)}</ToolbarButtonRow>
+        <ToolbarButtonRow alignment={buttonOverflowAlignment}>
+          {React.Children.toArray(children).filter(Boolean)}
+        </ToolbarButtonRow>
       </nav>
     );
   }
diff --git a/public/app/core/components/SplitPaneWrapper/SplitPaneWrapper.tsx b/public/app/core/components/SplitPaneWrapper/SplitPaneWrapper.tsx
index 51d1786d274..69816af915f 100644
--- a/public/app/core/components/SplitPaneWrapper/SplitPaneWrapper.tsx
+++ b/public/app/core/components/SplitPaneWrapper/SplitPaneWrapper.tsx
@@ -9,9 +9,11 @@ interface Props {
   splitOrientation?: Split;
   paneSize: number;
   splitVisible?: boolean;
+  minSize?: number;
   maxSize?: number;
   primary?: 'first' | 'second';
   onDragFinished?: (size?: number) => void;
+  paneStyle?: React.CSSProperties;
   secondaryPaneStyle?: React.CSSProperties;
 }
 
@@ -49,9 +51,27 @@ export class SplitPaneWrapper extends PureComponent<Props> {
   };
 
   render() {
-    const { paneSize, splitOrientation, maxSize, primary, secondaryPaneStyle } = this.props;
+    const {
+      children,
+      paneSize,
+      splitOrientation,
+      maxSize,
+      minSize,
+      primary,
+      paneStyle,
+      secondaryPaneStyle,
+      splitVisible = true,
+    } = this.props;
+
+    let childrenArr = [];
+    if (Array.isArray(children)) {
+      childrenArr = children;
+    } else {
+      childrenArr.push(children);
+    }
+
     // Limit options pane width to 90% of screen.
-    const styles = getStyles(config.theme2);
+    const styles = getStyles(config.theme2, splitVisible);
 
     // Need to handle when width is relative. ie a percentage of the viewport
     const paneSizePx =
@@ -59,29 +79,38 @@ export class SplitPaneWrapper extends PureComponent<Props> {
         ? paneSize * (splitOrientation === 'horizontal' ? window.innerHeight : window.innerWidth)
         : paneSize;
 
+    // the react split pane library always wants 2 children. This logic ensures that happens, even if one child is passed in
+    const childrenFragments = [
+      <React.Fragment key="leftPane">{childrenArr[0]}</React.Fragment>,
+      <React.Fragment key="rightPane">{childrenArr[1] || undefined}</React.Fragment>,
+    ];
+
     return (
       <SplitPane
         split={splitOrientation}
+        minSize={minSize}
         maxSize={maxSize}
-        size={paneSizePx}
-        primary={primary}
+        size={splitVisible ? paneSizePx : 0}
+        primary={splitVisible ? primary : 'second'}
         resizerClassName={splitOrientation === 'horizontal' ? styles.resizerH : styles.resizerV}
         onDragStarted={() => this.onDragStarted()}
         onDragFinished={(size) => this.onDragFinished(size)}
+        paneStyle={paneStyle}
         pane2Style={secondaryPaneStyle}
       >
-        {this.props.children}
+        {childrenFragments}
       </SplitPane>
     );
   }
 }
 
-const getStyles = (theme: GrafanaTheme2) => {
+const getStyles = (theme: GrafanaTheme2, hasSplit: boolean) => {
   const handleColor = theme.v1.palette.blue95;
   const paneSpacing = theme.spacing(2);
 
   const resizer = css`
     position: relative;
+    display: ${hasSplit ? 'block' : 'none'};
 
     &::before {
       content: '';
diff --git a/public/app/features/explore/ExplorePaneContainer.tsx b/public/app/features/explore/ExplorePaneContainer.tsx
index 15f9cafcc91..68c248eddc7 100644
--- a/public/app/features/explore/ExplorePaneContainer.tsx
+++ b/public/app/features/explore/ExplorePaneContainer.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { css, cx } from '@emotion/css';
+import { css } from '@emotion/css';
 import memoizeOne from 'memoize-one';
 import React from 'react';
 import { connect, ConnectedProps } from 'react-redux';
@@ -36,20 +36,18 @@ const getStyles = (theme: GrafanaTheme2) => {
       display: flex;
       flex: 1 1 auto;
       flex-direction: column;
+      overflow: scroll;
+      min-width: 600px;
       & + & {
         border-left: 1px dotted ${theme.colors.border.medium};
       }
     `,
-    exploreSplit: css`
-      width: 50%;
-    `,
   };
 };
 
 interface OwnProps extends Themeable2 {
   exploreId: ExploreId;
   urlQuery: string;
-  split: boolean;
   eventBus: EventBus;
 }
 
@@ -144,11 +142,10 @@ class ExplorePaneContainerUnconnected extends React.PureComponent<Props> {
   };
 
   render() {
-    const { theme, split, exploreId, initialized, eventBus } = this.props;
+    const { theme, exploreId, initialized, eventBus } = this.props;
     const styles = getStyles(theme);
-    const exploreClass = cx(styles.explore, split && styles.exploreSplit);
     return (
-      <div className={exploreClass} ref={this.getRef} data-testid={selectors.pages.Explore.General.container}>
+      <div className={styles.explore} ref={this.getRef} data-testid={selectors.pages.Explore.General.container}>
         {initialized && <Explore exploreId={exploreId} eventBus={eventBus} />}
       </div>
     );
diff --git a/public/app/features/explore/ExploreToolbar.tsx b/public/app/features/explore/ExploreToolbar.tsx
index b746c6f28f3..d5a1df7687d 100644
--- a/public/app/features/explore/ExploreToolbar.tsx
+++ b/public/app/features/explore/ExploreToolbar.tsx
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ import { getFiscalYearStartMonth, getTimeZone } from '../profile/state/selectors
 import { ExploreTimeControls } from './ExploreTimeControls';
 import { LiveTailButton } from './LiveTailButton';
 import { changeDatasource } from './state/datasource';
-import { splitClose, splitOpen } from './state/main';
+import { splitClose, splitOpen, maximizePaneAction, evenPaneResizeAction } from './state/main';
 import { cancelQueries, runQueries } from './state/query';
 import { isSplit } from './state/selectors';
 import { syncTimes, changeRefreshInterval } from './state/time';
@@ -133,13 +133,24 @@ class UnConnectedExploreToolbar extends PureComponent<Props> {
       isPaused,
       hasLiveOption,
       containerWidth,
+      largerExploreId,
     } = this.props;
     const showSmallTimePicker = splitted || containerWidth < 1210;
 
+    const isLargerExploreId = largerExploreId === exploreId;
+
     const showExploreToDashboard =
       contextSrv.hasAccess(AccessControlAction.DashboardsCreate, contextSrv.isEditor) ||
       contextSrv.hasAccess(AccessControlAction.DashboardsWrite, contextSrv.isEditor);
 
+    const onClickResize = () => {
+      if (isLargerExploreId) {
+        this.props.evenPaneResizeAction();
+      } else {
+        this.props.maximizePaneAction({ exploreId: exploreId });
+      }
+    };
+
     return [
       !splitted ? (
         <ToolbarButton
@@ -152,9 +163,21 @@ class UnConnectedExploreToolbar extends PureComponent<Props> {
           Split
         </ToolbarButton>
       ) : (
-        <ToolbarButton key="split" tooltip="Close split pane" onClick={this.onCloseSplitView} icon="times">
-          Close
-        </ToolbarButton>
+        <React.Fragment key="splitActions">
+          <ToolbarButton
+            tooltip={`${isLargerExploreId ? 'Narrow' : 'Widen'} pane`}
+            disabled={isLive}
+            onClick={onClickResize}
+            icon={
+              (exploreId === 'left' && isLargerExploreId) || (exploreId === 'right' && !isLargerExploreId)
+                ? 'angle-left'
+                : 'angle-right'
+            }
+          />
+          <ToolbarButton tooltip="Close split pane" onClick={this.onCloseSplitView} icon="times">
+            Close
+          </ToolbarButton>
+        </React.Fragment>
       ),
 
       showExploreToDashboard && (
@@ -285,7 +308,7 @@ class UnConnectedExploreToolbar extends PureComponent<Props> {
 }
 
 const mapStateToProps = (state: StoreState, { exploreId }: OwnProps) => {
-  const { syncedTimes } = state.explore;
+  const { syncedTimes, largerExploreId } = state.explore;
   const exploreItem = state.explore[exploreId]!;
   const { datasourceInstance, datasourceMissing, range, refreshInterval, loading, isLive, isPaused, containerWidth } =
     exploreItem;
@@ -307,6 +330,7 @@ const mapStateToProps = (state: StoreState, { exploreId }: OwnProps) => {
     isPaused,
     syncedTimes,
     containerWidth,
+    largerExploreId,
   };
 };
 
@@ -320,6 +344,8 @@ const mapDispatchToProps = {
   syncTimes,
   onChangeTimeZone: updateTimeZoneForSession,
   onChangeFiscalYearStartMonth: updateFiscalYearStartMonthForSession,
+  maximizePaneAction,
+  evenPaneResizeAction,
 };
 
 const connector = connect(mapStateToProps, mapDispatchToProps);
diff --git a/public/app/features/explore/Wrapper.test.tsx b/public/app/features/explore/Wrapper.test.tsx
index 5ae2f7a1ea5..8117a1fb533 100644
--- a/public/app/features/explore/Wrapper.test.tsx
+++ b/public/app/features/explore/Wrapper.test.tsx
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import { locationService, config } from '@grafana/runtime';
 import { changeDatasource } from './spec/helper/interactions';
 import { makeLogsQueryResponse, makeMetricsQueryResponse } from './spec/helper/query';
 import { setupExplore, tearDown, waitForExplore } from './spec/helper/setup';
-import { splitOpen } from './state/main';
+import * as mainState from './state/main';
 import * as queryState from './state/query';
 
 jest.mock('app/core/core', () => {
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ describe('Wrapper', () => {
     });
   });
 
-  describe('Handles open/close splits in UI and URL', () => {
+  describe('Handles open/close splits and related events in UI and URL', () => {
     it('opens the split pane when split button is clicked', async () => {
       setupExplore();
       // Wait for rendering the editor
@@ -226,8 +226,8 @@ describe('Wrapper', () => {
       await userEvent.click(closeButtons[1]);
 
       await waitFor(() => {
-        const logsPanels = screen.queryAllByLabelText(/Close split pane/i);
-        expect(logsPanels.length).toBe(0);
+        const postCloseButtons = screen.queryAllByLabelText(/Close split pane/i);
+        expect(postCloseButtons.length).toBe(0);
       });
     });
 
@@ -261,12 +261,35 @@ describe('Wrapper', () => {
       // to work
       await screen.findByText(`loki Editor input: { label="value"}`);
 
-      store.dispatch(splitOpen<any>({ datasourceUid: 'elastic', query: { expr: 'error' } }) as any);
+      store.dispatch(mainState.splitOpen<any>({ datasourceUid: 'elastic', query: { expr: 'error' } }) as any);
 
       // Editor renders the new query
       await screen.findByText(`elastic Editor input: error`);
       await screen.findByText(`loki Editor input: { label="value"}`);
     });
+
+    it('handles split size events and sets relevant variables', async () => {
+      setupExplore();
+      const splitButton = await screen.findByText(/split/i);
+      fireEvent.click(splitButton);
+      await waitForExplore(undefined, true);
+      let widenButton = await screen.findAllByLabelText('Widen pane');
+      let narrowButton = await screen.queryAllByLabelText('Narrow pane');
+      const panes = screen.getAllByRole('main');
+      expect(widenButton.length).toBe(2);
+      expect(narrowButton.length).toBe(0);
+      expect(Number.parseInt(getComputedStyle(panes[0]).width, 10)).toBe(1000);
+      expect(Number.parseInt(getComputedStyle(panes[1]).width, 10)).toBe(1000);
+      const resizer = screen.getByRole('presentation');
+      fireEvent.mouseDown(resizer, { buttons: 1 });
+      fireEvent.mouseMove(resizer, { clientX: -700, buttons: 1 });
+      fireEvent.mouseUp(resizer);
+      widenButton = await screen.findAllByLabelText('Widen pane');
+      narrowButton = await screen.queryAllByLabelText('Narrow pane');
+      expect(widenButton.length).toBe(1);
+      expect(narrowButton.length).toBe(1);
+      // the autosizer is mocked so there is no actual resize here
+    });
   });
 
   describe('Handles document title changes', () => {
@@ -295,7 +318,7 @@ describe('Wrapper', () => {
       // to work
       await screen.findByText(`loki Editor input: { label="value"}`);
 
-      store.dispatch(splitOpen<any>({ datasourceUid: 'elastic', query: { expr: 'error' } }) as any);
+      store.dispatch(mainState.splitOpen<any>({ datasourceUid: 'elastic', query: { expr: 'error' } }) as any);
       await waitFor(() => expect(document.title).toEqual('Explore - loki | elastic - Grafana'));
     });
   });
diff --git a/public/app/features/explore/Wrapper.tsx b/public/app/features/explore/Wrapper.tsx
index ccaf3907a03..f14b5ab9175 100644
--- a/public/app/features/explore/Wrapper.tsx
+++ b/public/app/features/explore/Wrapper.tsx
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
 import { css } from '@emotion/css';
-import React, { useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
+import { inRange } from 'lodash';
+import React, { useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
+import { useWindowSize } from 'react-use';
 
 import { locationService } from '@grafana/runtime';
 import { ErrorBoundaryAlert, usePanelContext } from '@grafana/ui';
+import { SplitPaneWrapper } from 'app/core/components/SplitPaneWrapper/SplitPaneWrapper';
 import { useGrafana } from 'app/core/context/GrafanaContext';
 import { useAppNotification } from 'app/core/copy/appNotification';
 import { useNavModel } from 'app/core/hooks/useNavModel';
@@ -16,7 +19,7 @@ import { useCorrelations } from '../correlations/useCorrelations';
 
 import { ExploreActions } from './ExploreActions';
 import { ExplorePaneContainer } from './ExplorePaneContainer';
-import { lastSavedUrl, resetExploreAction, saveCorrelationsAction } from './state/main';
+import { lastSavedUrl, saveCorrelationsAction, resetExploreAction, splitSizeUpdateAction } from './state/main';
 
 const styles = {
   pageScrollbarWrapper: css`
@@ -40,6 +43,10 @@ function Wrapper(props: GrafanaRouteComponentProps<{}, ExploreQueryParams>) {
   const { warning } = useAppNotification();
   const panelCtx = usePanelContext();
   const eventBus = useRef(panelCtx.eventBus.newScopedBus('explore', { onlyLocal: false }));
+  const [rightPaneWidthRatio, setRightPaneWidthRatio] = useState(0.5);
+  const { width: windowWidth } = useWindowSize();
+  const minWidth = 200;
+  const exploreState = useSelector((state) => state.explore);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     //This is needed for breadcrumbs and topnav.
@@ -97,30 +104,65 @@ function Wrapper(props: GrafanaRouteComponentProps<{}, ExploreQueryParams>) {
     // eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps -- dispatch is stable, doesn't need to be in the deps array
   }, []);
 
+  const updateSplitSize = (size: number) => {
+    const evenSplitWidth = windowWidth / 2;
+    const areBothSimilar = inRange(size, evenSplitWidth - 100, evenSplitWidth + 100);
+    if (areBothSimilar) {
+      dispatch(splitSizeUpdateAction({ largerExploreId: undefined }));
+    } else {
+      dispatch(
+        splitSizeUpdateAction({
+          largerExploreId: size > evenSplitWidth ? ExploreId.right : ExploreId.left,
+        })
+      );
+    }
+
+    setRightPaneWidthRatio(size / windowWidth);
+  };
+
   const hasSplit = Boolean(queryParams.left) && Boolean(queryParams.right);
+  let widthCalc = 0;
+  if (hasSplit) {
+    if (!exploreState.evenSplitPanes && exploreState.maxedExploreId) {
+      widthCalc = exploreState.maxedExploreId === ExploreId.right ? windowWidth - minWidth : minWidth;
+    } else if (exploreState.evenSplitPanes) {
+      widthCalc = Math.floor(windowWidth / 2);
+    } else if (rightPaneWidthRatio !== undefined) {
+      widthCalc = windowWidth * rightPaneWidthRatio;
+    }
+  }
 
   return (
     <div className={styles.pageScrollbarWrapper}>
       <ExploreActions exploreIdLeft={ExploreId.left} exploreIdRight={ExploreId.right} />
       <div className={styles.exploreWrapper}>
-        <ErrorBoundaryAlert style="page">
-          <ExplorePaneContainer
-            split={hasSplit}
-            exploreId={ExploreId.left}
-            urlQuery={queryParams.left}
-            eventBus={eventBus.current}
-          />
-        </ErrorBoundaryAlert>
-        {hasSplit && (
+        <SplitPaneWrapper
+          splitOrientation="vertical"
+          paneSize={widthCalc}
+          minSize={minWidth}
+          maxSize={minWidth * -1}
+          primary="second"
+          splitVisible={hasSplit}
+          paneStyle={{ overflow: 'auto', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', overflowY: 'scroll' }}
+          onDragFinished={(size) => {
+            if (size) {
+              updateSplitSize(size);
+            }
+          }}
+        >
           <ErrorBoundaryAlert style="page">
-            <ExplorePaneContainer
-              split={hasSplit}
-              exploreId={ExploreId.right}
-              urlQuery={queryParams.right}
-              eventBus={eventBus.current}
-            />
+            <ExplorePaneContainer exploreId={ExploreId.left} urlQuery={queryParams.left} eventBus={eventBus.current} />
           </ErrorBoundaryAlert>
-        )}
+          {hasSplit && (
+            <ErrorBoundaryAlert style="page">
+              <ExplorePaneContainer
+                exploreId={ExploreId.right}
+                urlQuery={queryParams.right}
+                eventBus={eventBus.current}
+              />
+            </ErrorBoundaryAlert>
+          )}
+        </SplitPaneWrapper>
       </div>
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/public/app/features/explore/state/main.test.ts b/public/app/features/explore/state/main.test.ts
index 3a5d5839784..1802d78c06f 100644
--- a/public/app/features/explore/state/main.test.ts
+++ b/public/app/features/explore/state/main.test.ts
@@ -139,7 +139,10 @@ describe('Explore reducer', () => {
           .givenReducer(exploreReducer, initialState)
           .whenActionIsDispatched(splitCloseAction({ itemId: ExploreId.left }))
           .thenStateShouldEqual({
+            evenSplitPanes: true,
+            largerExploreId: undefined,
             left: rightItemMock,
+            maxedExploreId: undefined,
             right: undefined,
           } as unknown as ExploreState);
       });
@@ -162,7 +165,10 @@ describe('Explore reducer', () => {
           .givenReducer(exploreReducer, initialState)
           .whenActionIsDispatched(splitCloseAction({ itemId: ExploreId.right }))
           .thenStateShouldEqual({
+            evenSplitPanes: true,
+            largerExploreId: undefined,
             left: leftItemMock,
+            maxedExploreId: undefined,
             right: undefined,
           } as unknown as ExploreState);
       });
diff --git a/public/app/features/explore/state/main.ts b/public/app/features/explore/state/main.ts
index 3989cdbf359..1dde5fd5a7c 100644
--- a/public/app/features/explore/state/main.ts
+++ b/public/app/features/explore/state/main.ts
@@ -40,6 +40,16 @@ export const richHistorySearchFiltersUpdatedAction = createAction<{
 
 export const saveCorrelationsAction = createAction<CorrelationData[]>('explore/saveCorrelationsAction');
 
+export const splitSizeUpdateAction = createAction<{
+  largerExploreId?: ExploreId;
+}>('explore/splitSizeUpdateAction');
+
+export const maximizePaneAction = createAction<{
+  exploreId?: ExploreId;
+}>('explore/maximizePaneAction');
+
+export const evenPaneResizeAction = createAction('explore/evenPaneResizeAction');
+
 /**
  * Resets state for explore.
  */
@@ -163,6 +173,9 @@ export const initialExploreState: ExploreState = {
   richHistoryStorageFull: false,
   richHistoryLimitExceededWarningShown: false,
   richHistoryMigrationFailed: false,
+  largerExploreId: undefined,
+  maxedExploreId: undefined,
+  evenSplitPanes: true,
 };
 
 /**
@@ -179,6 +192,38 @@ export const exploreReducer = (state = initialExploreState, action: AnyAction):
     return {
       ...state,
       ...targetSplit,
+      largerExploreId: undefined,
+      maxedExploreId: undefined,
+      evenSplitPanes: true,
+    };
+  }
+
+  if (splitSizeUpdateAction.match(action)) {
+    const { largerExploreId } = action.payload;
+    return {
+      ...state,
+      largerExploreId,
+      maxedExploreId: undefined,
+      evenSplitPanes: largerExploreId === undefined,
+    };
+  }
+
+  if (maximizePaneAction.match(action)) {
+    const { exploreId } = action.payload;
+    return {
+      ...state,
+      largerExploreId: exploreId,
+      maxedExploreId: exploreId,
+      evenSplitPanes: false,
+    };
+  }
+
+  if (evenPaneResizeAction.match(action)) {
+    return {
+      ...state,
+      largerExploreId: undefined,
+      maxedExploreId: undefined,
+      evenSplitPanes: true,
     };
   }
 
diff --git a/public/app/types/explore.ts b/public/app/types/explore.ts
index 439b39dac2c..7891519890a 100644
--- a/public/app/types/explore.ts
+++ b/public/app/types/explore.ts
@@ -69,6 +69,21 @@ export interface ExploreState {
    * True if a warning message about failed rich history has been shown already in this session.
    */
   richHistoryMigrationFailed: boolean;
+
+  /**
+   * On a split manual resize, we calculate which pane is larger, or if they are roughly the same size. If undefined, it is not split or they are roughly the same size
+   */
+  largerExploreId?: ExploreId;
+
+  /**
+   * If a maximize pane button is pressed, this indicates which side was maximized. Will be undefined if not split or if it is manually resized
+   */
+  maxedExploreId?: ExploreId;
+
+  /**
+   * If a minimize pane button is pressed, it will do an even split of panes. Will be undefined if split or on a manual resize
+   */
+  evenSplitPanes?: boolean;
 }
 
 export const EXPLORE_GRAPH_STYLES = ['lines', 'bars', 'points', 'stacked_lines', 'stacked_bars'] as const;