MAC






How to Take a Screenshot on Mac



macOS guide

How to take a screenshot on Mac

Fast keys for most cases: ⌘ + Shift + 3 for the whole screen, or ⌘ + Shift + 4 to select an area.

Works on macOS Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, and older versions with the same shortcuts.

Jump to:
Full screen
Select area
Window only
Screenshot toolbar
Copy to clipboard
Where files are saved
Edit or share
Pro tips
FAQ

Full screen

  1. Press ⌘ + Shift + 3.
  2. A thumbnail shows in the corner; click it to mark up. If you do nothing, it saves automatically.

Select an area

  1. Press ⌘ + Shift + 4.
  2. Drag to select the region.
  3. Release the mouse or trackpad to capture.

Helpful keys while dragging: press Space to move the selection, Shift to lock one axis, Option to resize from center, Esc to cancel.

Single window

  1. Press ⌘ + Shift + 4, then tap Space.
  2. The cursor turns into a camera. Click a window to capture it with a nice shadow.

Hold Option while clicking to remove the window shadow.

Screenshot toolbar (and screen recording)

  1. Press ⌘ + Shift + 5.
  2. Pick: full screen, window, or selection. There are record options too.
  3. Click Options to set a timer, pick a save location, and show/hide the floating thumbnail.

Copy to clipboard instead of a file

  • Hold Control with any shortcut. Example: Control + ⌘ + Shift + 3.
  • Paste with ⌘ + V into Notes, Mail, Docs, or chat.

Where your screenshots are saved

  • Desktop by default, named like Screenshot YYYY-MM-DD at HH.MM.SS.png.
  • To change the location, open the toolbar (⌘ + Shift + 5) → Options → pick a folder.

Edit or share

  1. Click the floating thumbnail to open Markup.
  2. Crop, draw, highlight, add text or a signature.
  3. Click Share to send by Mail, Messages, AirDrop, or other apps.

You can also open the image in Preview or Photos for more tools.

Pro tips

  • Touch Bar (older MacBook Pro): ⌘ + Shift + 6 captures the Touch Bar.
  • No thumbnail: Toolbar → Options → uncheck Show Floating Thumbnail.
  • Different format: PNG is default. For JPG or PDF, change it in apps like Preview after capture. (System-wide format changes need Terminal; most users skip that.)

FAQ

How do I take a screenshot of one window only?

Use ⌘ + Shift + 4, tap Space, then click the window.

How do I copy straight to clipboard?

Hold Control with your shortcut. Paste with ⌘ + V.

Can I add a delay?

Yes. Press ⌘ + Shift + 5 → Options → pick 5s or 10s.

Where are my files?

Desktop by default. Change it from the toolbar’s Options.

Why does nothing save?

You may be copying to the clipboard (holding Control). Try the shortcut without Control, or paste to check.

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