How to Screenshot on Mac: 5 Ways, Shortcuts & Tips
Learn the fastest Mac screenshot shortcuts, capture a selected area or window, use the Screenshot app, copy captures to the Clipboard, and change where screenshots are saved.
Updated September 19, 2026 · Written by R.K.
Quick Answer
For most Mac screenshots, use Shift + Command + 3 or Shift + Command + 4. Use Shift + Command + 3 for the entire screen, Shift + Command + 4 for a selected area, Shift + Command + 4, then Space for a window or menu, and Shift + Command + 5 for the Screenshot toolbar and additional options.
Click to play. The video only loads once you press play, so it doesn’t slow down the rest of the page. Use the diagram and cheat sheet below for a quick reference either way.
Which Shortcut Do You Need?
A quick map from “what you need” to the shortcut that does it.
Mac Screenshot Cheat Sheet
Bookmark this section so you don’t have to search for the shortcuts again.
Capture everything
Captures the entire screen.
Capture part of the screen
Drag the crosshair around what you want to capture.
Capture one window
Turns the pointer into a camera for window or menu capture.
Open Screenshot
Opens the Screenshot toolbar and its options.
Use Shift + Command + 3.
Use Shift + Command + 4.
Use Shift + Command + 4, then Space.
Use Shift + Command + 5.
How to Screenshot on Mac: The 4 Main Methods
Apple’s current instructions cover four core screenshot workflows: the entire screen, a selected portion, a specific window or menu, and the Screenshot app. Between them, they cover almost everything a normal day throws at you — no extra app required.
1. Screenshot the Entire Screen
Fastest optionPress and release Shift + Command + 3 together. Your Mac captures the entire screen.
If the floating thumbnail appears in the corner, click it to edit the screenshot, or just wait for it to save.
2. Screenshot a Selected Area
Most flexiblePress Shift + Command + 4. The pointer becomes a crosshair. Click and drag around the part of the screen you want, then release.
To cancel, press Esc. To move the selection without resizing it, hold Space while dragging.
3. Screenshot a Window or Menu
Clean window captureOpen the window or menu first. Press Shift + Command + 4, then Space. The pointer changes to a camera — move it over the window or menu and click.
To leave out the window’s shadow, hold Option while you click.
4. Use the Screenshot App
More controlsPress Shift + Command + 5 to open the Screenshot toolbar, with capture controls and an Options menu.
Options lets you set the timer, save location, floating thumbnail, and whether the mouse pointer appears.
Which Mac Screenshot Shortcut Should You Use?
| What You Want | Shortcut | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Entire screen | Shift + Command + 3 | Captures the whole screen. |
| Part of the screen | Shift + Command + 4 | Lets you drag a selection rectangle. |
| Window | Shift + Command + 4 → Space | Turns the pointer into a camera for window capture. |
| Menu | Shift + Command + 4 → Space | Lets you click the menu you want to capture. |
| Timer / save settings | Shift + Command + 5 | Opens Screenshot controls and Options. |
| Copy instead of saving | Control + screenshot shortcut | Sends the capture to the Clipboard. |
Useful Mac Screenshot Tricks
Copy a Screenshot Directly to the Clipboard
Want to paste the screenshot into another app instead of saving a file first? Add Control to the screenshot shortcut — for example, Control + Shift + Command + 3 for a full-screen screenshot copied straight to the Clipboard.
Example: Take the screenshot, switch to the destination app, and press Command + V to paste it in.
Change Where Screenshots Are Saved
By default, Mac screenshots save to the Desktop with a filename like Screen Shot [date] at [time]. Open Shift + Command + 5, choose Options, and pick a different save location.
Use a Screenshot Timer
Open Shift + Command + 5 and use Options to set a timer — handy when you need a few seconds to arrange a menu, dialog, or other on-screen state before the capture fires.
Show or Hide the Floating Thumbnail
Screenshot’s options include a toggle for the floating thumbnail that appears after a capture. You can also drag that thumbnail straight into another folder or app instead of waiting for it to save.
Show the Mouse Pointer
The Screenshot app’s Options menu can turn the mouse pointer on or off in the screenshot.
Newer Screenshot Formats on Supported Macs
On supported Mac models running macOS Tahoe 26 or later, Screenshot lets you pick between SDR (Most Compatible), which saves as PNG, and HDR, which saves as HEIF.
Which option you see depends on your Mac model and macOS version, so don’t be surprised if it’s missing on an older machine.
Where Are Screenshots Saved on Mac?
Normally, screenshots save to the Desktop with the filename pattern Screen Shot [date] at [time].
Can’t find one? Press Shift + Command + 5 → Options and check the selected Save to location. You can also drag the floating thumbnail somewhere else right after taking the shot.
Easy detail to miss: adding Control changes the destination. A shortcut like Control + Shift + Command + 3 copies the capture to the Clipboard instead of saving it normally.
Another Built-In Option: Preview
Preview can take screenshots too. Choose File → Take Screenshot, then pick the entire screen, a selection, or a single window.
The image opens right in Preview, where you can jump straight into Markup and annotate it — handy if you’re already in Preview and want to mark something up without switching apps.
Mac Screenshot Not Working?
Try these before installing another screenshot app:
- Check the shortcut: press the listed keys together and release them.
- Check the save location: open Shift + Command + 5 → Options and look at the destination.
- Check the Clipboard: if you accidentally held Control, the screenshot may have been copied instead of saved to the Desktop.
- Check the app: Apple notes that some apps, including Apple TV, won’t let you screenshot their windows.
- Use the Screenshot toolbar: Shift + Command + 5 gives you visible capture controls instead of relying on memorized shortcuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the shortcut to screenshot the whole screen on a Mac?
How do I screenshot part of the screen on a Mac?
How do I screenshot a window on a Mac?
How do I screenshot a window without its shadow?
Where do screenshots go on a Mac?
How do I copy a Mac screenshot instead of saving it?
Can I take a timed screenshot on Mac?
Can Preview take screenshots on Mac?
How do I screenshot the Touch Bar on a Mac?
Can I take a screenshot on a Mac using a PC keyboard?
Sources & Verification
Apple Support: Take a screenshot on Mac — primary source for the core shortcuts, Screenshot app options, save location, Clipboard capture, and current macOS screenshot-format information.
Apple User Guide: Mac keyboard shortcuts.
Apple Preview User Guide: Take a picture of your screen in Preview on Mac.
Apple’s documentation is the primary source for the shortcuts and built-in behavior described here. Menus and available options can vary by macOS version and Mac hardware.