Linux






How to Take a Screenshot on Linux



Linux guide

How to take a screenshot on Linux

The Print Screen key is your friend: press PrtScn to capture the whole screen, or Alt + PrtScn for just the active window.

Works on Ubuntu, Fedora, Linux Mint, Debian, Arch, and most distributions. GNOME and KDE have built-in tools; others rely on screenshot apps.

Jump to:
Quick steps
Keyboard shortcuts
GNOME (Ubuntu, Fedora)
KDE Plasma
Screenshot apps
Where files are saved
Edit or share
FAQ

Quick steps

  1. Press PrtScn to capture the full screen.
  2. Press Alt + PrtScn to capture the active window.
  3. Press Shift + PrtScn (GNOME) to select a region.

Keyboard shortcuts

  • PrtScn → whole screen (saves to Pictures or clipboard).
  • Alt + PrtScn → current window.
  • Shift + PrtScn (GNOME) → select region with crosshair.
  • Ctrl + any combo → copies to clipboard instead of saving.

GNOME (Ubuntu, Fedora, Pop!_OS)

GNOME 42+ has a new unified screenshot/record UI:

  1. Press PrtScn or Shift + PrtScn.
  2. A bar appears at the top of the screen. Choose Screen, Window, or Selection.
  3. Click the camera for screenshots or video camera for screen recording.

Older GNOME used the Screenshot app, still available in Activities → search “Screenshot”.

KDE Plasma (Kubuntu, Neon, etc.)

KDE includes the Spectacle tool:

  1. Press PrtScn or launch Spectacle.
  2. Select full screen, window, or region.
  3. Set a delay if needed, then click Take a New Screenshot.

Popular screenshot apps

  • Flameshot: advanced editor, annotations, easy sharing.
  • Shutter: older but still works on many systems with plugins.
  • GNOME Screenshot: simple, often pre-installed.
  • Kazam: mainly for screen recording but also does screenshots.

Where screenshots are saved

  • Pictures/Screenshots folder in most distros.
  • Clipboard if you held Ctrl during capture.
  • Custom path if set in Spectacle, Flameshot, or GNOME settings.

Edit or share

  1. Use the preview window in GNOME or KDE to crop or draw.
  2. Flameshot and Shutter give more markup options (arrows, text, blur).
  3. Share via chat apps, email, or upload to cloud drives straight from the file manager.

FAQ

Why doesn’t the Print Screen key work?

Some keyboards require Fn + PrtScn. On laptops, check the function key row behavior.

Where are my screenshots saved?

Usually in Pictures/Screenshots. GNOME and KDE show a notification with the file path.

How do I copy instead of saving?

Hold Ctrl with your shortcut (like Ctrl + PrtScn).

Can I record the screen too?

Yes. GNOME 42+ and Spectacle have recording. Or use Kazam, OBS Studio, or SimpleScreenRecorder.

Which tool is best for annotations?

Flameshot is the most popular for quick editing and sharing.

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