diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_tk_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_tk_sgskip.py
index ad85b7b320d3..2d9e246f73ef 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_tk_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_tk_sgskip.py
@@ -26,7 +26,8 @@
 canvas = FigureCanvasTkAgg(fig, master=root)  # A tk.DrawingArea.
 canvas.draw()
 
-toolbar = NavigationToolbar2Tk(canvas, root)
+# pack_toolbar=False will make it easier to use a layout manager later on.
+toolbar = NavigationToolbar2Tk(canvas, root, pack_toolbar=False)
 toolbar.update()
 
 
@@ -44,6 +45,7 @@ def on_key_press(event):
 # The canvas is rather flexible in its size, so we pack it last which makes
 # sure the UI controls are displayed as long as possible.
 button.pack(side=tkinter.BOTTOM)
+toolbar.pack(side=tkinter.BOTTOM, fill=tkinter.X)
 canvas.get_tk_widget().pack(side=tkinter.TOP, fill=tkinter.BOTH, expand=1)
 
 tkinter.mainloop()
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/_backend_tk.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/_backend_tk.py
index b334fb71a763..c5b12e002006 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/_backend_tk.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/_backend_tk.py
@@ -507,17 +507,23 @@ class NavigationToolbar2Tk(NavigationToolbar2, tk.Frame):
     Attributes
     ----------
     canvas : `FigureCanvas`
-        the figure canvas on which to operate
+        The figure canvas on which to operate.
     win : tk.Window
-        the tk.Window which owns this toolbar
-
+        The tk.Window which owns this toolbar.
+    pack_toolbar : bool, default: True
+        If True, add the toolbar to the parent's pack manager's packing list
+        during initialization with ``side='bottom'`` and ``fill='x'``.
+        If you want to use the toolbar with a different layout manager, use
+        ``pack_toolbar=False``.
     """
-    def __init__(self, canvas, window):
+    def __init__(self, canvas, window, *, pack_toolbar=True):
         self.canvas = canvas
         # Avoid using self.window (prefer self.canvas.get_tk_widget().master),
         # so that Tool implementations can reuse the methods.
         self.window = window
         NavigationToolbar2.__init__(self, canvas)
+        if pack_toolbar:
+            self.pack(side=tk.BOTTOM, fill=tk.X)
 
     def destroy(self, *args):
         del self.message
@@ -582,7 +588,6 @@ def _init_toolbar(self):
         self.message = tk.StringVar(master=self)
         self._message_label = tk.Label(master=self, textvariable=self.message)
         self._message_label.pack(side=tk.RIGHT)
-        self.pack(side=tk.BOTTOM, fill=tk.X)
 
     def configure_subplots(self):
         toolfig = Figure(figsize=(6, 3))