Quickfix AI
Easy•10 min

How to screenshot on Mac

Taking a screenshot on a Mac is quick once you know the keyboard shortcuts. This guide shows you how to capture the full screen, a selected portion, or just one window on macOS.

You’ll also learn where Mac screenshots are saved and how to copy them directly to the clipboard if you want to paste them into another app.

Step-by-step fix

  1. 1

    Capture the entire screen

    Press Command + Shift + 3 to take a screenshot of everything currently visible on your screen.

    By default, macOS saves the screenshot to your desktop as a PNG file. If you see a small thumbnail in the corner, you can click it to edit, annotate, or share the image before it disappears.

  2. 2

    Capture part of the screen

    Press Command + Shift + 4.

    Your pointer changes to crosshairs. Drag to select the area you want, then release the mouse or trackpad to take the screenshot. If you need to move the selection while dragging, hold the Spacebar.

  3. 3

    Capture a single window

    Press Command + Shift + 4, then tap the Spacebar.

    Your pointer changes to a camera icon. Move it over the window you want and click once to capture only that window. This is useful when you want a cleaner screenshot without the rest of the desktop.

  4. 4

    Open the screenshot toolbar

    Press Command + Shift + 5 to open the screenshot toolbar.

    From here, you can choose to capture the full screen, a selected window, or a portion of the screen. You can also start a screen recording, set a timer, and choose where screenshots are saved.

  5. 5

    Choose where screenshots are saved

    With the screenshot toolbar open, click Options and choose a save location such as Desktop, Documents, or Clipboard.

    If you choose Clipboard, the screenshot is copied so you can paste it into Mail, Messages, Notes, or another app with Command + V.

  6. 6

    Use clipboard shortcuts when needed

    To copy a full-screen screenshot to the clipboard instead of saving it, press Control + Command + Shift + 3.

    To copy a selected area to the clipboard, press Control + Command + Shift + 4. This is helpful when you want to paste the image immediately into a document or chat.

  7. 7

    Find your screenshot

    If your screenshot was saved normally, look on the Desktop unless you changed the save location. The file name usually starts with Screen Shot and includes the date and time.

    If you used the clipboard option, nothing is saved as a file until you paste it into another app.

Frequently asked questions

What is the shortcut for taking a screenshot on Mac?

The most common shortcut is Command + Shift + 3 for the full screen. Use Command + Shift + 4 to capture a selected area, and Command + Shift + 5 for the screenshot toolbar.

Where do Mac screenshots go?

By default, macOS saves screenshots to your Desktop. If you changed the save location in the screenshot toolbar, they will go to the folder you selected instead.

How do I screenshot a window on Mac?

Press Command + Shift + 4, then press the Spacebar. Move the camera icon over the window and click to capture it.

Can I copy a screenshot instead of saving it?

Yes. Hold Control along with the screenshot shortcut. For example, Control + Command + Shift + 3 copies the full screen to the clipboard.

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How to screenshot on Mac | Quick guide