You can take a screenshot on a Mac with a keyboard shortcut:
- Press Shift-Command-3 to capture the entire screen.
- Press Shift-Command-4 to select part of the screen.
- Press Shift-Command-5 to open the Screenshot tool, which includes options for capturing the screen, recording it, and choosing where files are saved.
By default, screenshots are saved to the Desktop as image files.
Quick Answer
To take a screenshot on a Mac:
- Press Shift-Command-3 for the entire screen.
- Press Shift-Command-4, then drag over an area to capture part of the screen.
- Press Shift-Command-5 for additional controls, including window capture, screen recording, a timer, and save-location options.
- Find the screenshot on your Desktop unless you have selected another save location.
Screenshots usually appear as PNG files with names such as Screenshot 2025-01-15 at 10.30.00 AM.
Use the Mac Screenshot Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to capture your screen. The Command key is the key marked with the ⌘ symbol.
Capture the entire screen with Shift-Command-3
Use this shortcut when you want to capture everything visible on your display.
- Arrange the screen exactly as you want it to appear.
- Press Shift-Command-3.
- Release all three keys.
Your Mac captures the entire screen and saves the image to the default screenshot location. If you have more than one display, the shortcut may capture each connected display separately.
This method includes visible windows, the menu bar, the Dock, and other content on the screen. It does not capture anything outside the visible display area.
Capture part of the screen with Shift-Command-4
Use this shortcut when you want to select a specific area.
- Press Shift-Command-4.
- Your pointer changes into a crosshair.
- Click and drag across the area you want to capture.
- Release the mouse or trackpad button.
Your Mac captures the selected area and saves it as an image.
While selecting, you can adjust the capture area:
- Hold Space bar while dragging to move the selection.
- Hold Shift while dragging to adjust one edge of the selection.
- Press Esc before releasing the mouse or trackpad button to cancel.
This shortcut is useful for capturing a single section of a webpage, an image, a dialog, or part of an app window.
Capture a window with Shift-Command-4
You can also use Shift-Command-4 to capture a specific window.
- Press Shift-Command-4.
- Press the Space bar.
- Move the camera pointer over a window.
- Click the window.
The screenshot generally includes the selected window and its shadow. If you do not want the shadow, hold Option while clicking the window.
To return to area selection without taking a screenshot, press the Space bar again.
Use the Screenshot Tool
The Screenshot tool provides a visual control panel and more capture options.
- Press Shift-Command-5.
- Choose one of the capture options:
– Capture Entire Screen
– Capture Selected Window
– Capture Selected Portion - If you want to record the screen instead, choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion.
- Click Options to choose a save location, set a timer, or adjust other settings.
- Click Capture, or click Record when recording your screen.
The Screenshot tool appears near the bottom of the display. To close it without taking a screenshot, press Esc or click the X button.
Choose a screenshot save location
The Screenshot tool lets you choose where new screenshots are saved.
- Press Shift-Command-5.
- Click Options.
- Under Save to, choose a location such as:
– Desktop
– Documents
– Clipboard
– Mail
– Messages
– Preview
– Other Location - Close the Screenshot tool or take a screenshot.
The selected destination applies to screenshots created through the Screenshot tool and the related keyboard shortcuts until you change it again.
If you choose Clipboard, macOS copies the screenshot instead of saving it as a file. You can then paste it into an app with Command-V.
Set a timer before capturing
A timer can help when you need time to open a menu or arrange a screen.
- Press Shift-Command-5.
- Click Options.
- Under Timer, choose None, 5 Seconds, or 10 Seconds.
- Select the capture option you want.
- Click Capture.
After the countdown begins, prepare the screen. The screenshot is taken automatically when the timer ends.
Include or exclude the pointer
The Screenshot tool includes an option for showing the pointer in a screenshot.
- Press Shift-Command-5.
- Click Options.
- Turn Show Mouse Pointer on or off.
- Take the screenshot.
The pointer is hidden by default in many screenshot workflows. If you need to show where you clicked, enable this option before capturing.
Take a Screenshot and Copy It to the Clipboard
If you want to paste a screenshot directly into an email, document, chat, or image editor, hold Control while using the screenshot shortcut.
- Press Control-Shift-Command-3 to copy the entire screen.
- Press Control-Shift-Command-4 to select an area and copy it.
- Press Control-Shift-Command-4, press Space bar, and click a window to copy that window.
After taking the screenshot, open the destination app and press Command-V.
This approach does not create a screenshot file on the Desktop. It places the image on the clipboard, where it remains available until another item replaces it.
Find Where Screenshots Are Saved
The default screenshot location is the Desktop.
To find a screenshot:
- Click the Desktop or open a Finder window.
- Look for a file beginning with
Screenshot. - Use the file’s date and time to identify the correct image.
- Double-click the file to open it in the default image app, often Preview.
You can also use Spotlight:
- Press Command-Space.
- Type
Screenshot. - Review the results.
If you changed the destination in the Screenshot tool, check the location selected under Options. Screenshots may instead be in Documents, another folder, or an app such as Preview, Mail, or Messages.
Change the default screenshot location
- Press Shift-Command-5.
- Click Options.
- Under Save to, choose the location you prefer.
- Take a test screenshot if you want to confirm the change.
Choosing a folder does not move existing screenshots. It only changes where future screenshots are saved.
Edit and Mark Up a Screenshot
After you capture a screenshot, you can make basic changes such as cropping, drawing, adding shapes, and inserting text.
Use the thumbnail preview
After taking a screenshot, a thumbnail may briefly appear in the lower-right corner of the screen.
- Click the thumbnail before it disappears.
- Use the available markup tools to draw, crop, add shapes, or enter text.
- Click Done to save the changes.
If you ignore the thumbnail, the screenshot is still saved to its selected destination.
Edit the file in Preview
You can edit a saved screenshot in Preview:
- Open the screenshot in Preview.
- Use the markup toolbar to add annotations.
- Choose Tools > Crop if you have selected an area and want to remove the rest.
- Save the file.
Before choosing a command that replaces the original file, consider creating a copy if you may need the unedited screenshot later.
Take Screenshots on a MacBook With a Touch Bar
If your MacBook has a Touch Bar, you can capture it separately:
- Press Shift-Command-6.
The Touch Bar screenshot is saved using the same screenshot destination as other captures, unless you use a clipboard shortcut or another destination.
This shortcut is only useful on Mac models with a Touch Bar. On other Macs, it does not capture anything.
Screenshot File Format and Names
Mac screenshots are commonly saved as PNG files. PNG is an image format that preserves sharp text and interface details.
The filename generally includes the word Screenshot followed by the date and time. You can rename the file in Finder:
- Select the screenshot.
- Press Return, or Control-click the file and choose Rename.
- Enter a new name.
- Press Return.
Renaming the file does not change its image content.
Troubleshooting Mac Screenshots
Shift-Command-3 or Shift-Command-4 does nothing
Check the following:
- Press the keys together rather than one at a time.
- Make sure you are using the Command key, not Control or Option.
- Try Shift-Command-5 to see whether the Screenshot tool opens.
- Check whether another app has reassigned the keyboard shortcut.
- Restart the Mac if the shortcuts stopped working unexpectedly.
You can review screenshot shortcuts in System Settings under Keyboard and Keyboard Shortcuts. The exact categories may vary depending on your macOS setup.
The screenshot is not on the Desktop
The save location may have been changed.
- Press Shift-Command-5.
- Click Options.
- Review the selection under Save to.
- Check that location in Finder.
If Clipboard is selected, paste the screenshot into an app with Command-V instead of looking for a file.
The screenshot is missing part of the screen
A selected-area screenshot captures only the region inside the selection box. Try Shift-Command-3 if you need the entire display, or repeat Shift-Command-4 and drag over a larger area.
For a window screenshot, make sure the complete window is visible before pressing Shift-Command-4, Space bar, and clicking the window.
A screenshot includes private or sensitive information
Before sharing a screenshot, inspect it for passwords, account details, personal messages, email addresses, notifications, and other sensitive information. Crop or mark out private content in Preview before sending the image.
The screenshot appears on another display
If you use multiple monitors, confirm which display contains the content you want to capture. A full-screen capture can include separate images for connected displays, while a selected-area capture lets you choose a specific region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mac screenshot shortcut?
The main Mac screenshot shortcuts are:
- Shift-Command-3: Capture the entire screen.
- Shift-Command-4: Capture a selected area.
- Shift-Command-5: Open the Screenshot tool.
- Shift-Command-6: Capture the Touch Bar on supported MacBook models.
Where do screenshots go on a Mac?
Screenshots go to the Desktop by default. You can change the destination by pressing Shift-Command-5, selecting Options, and choosing a different location under Save to.
How do I screenshot only part of the screen?
Press Shift-Command-4, then click and drag over the area you want to capture. Release the mouse or trackpad button to take the screenshot.
How do I screenshot a window?
Press Shift-Command-4, press the Space bar, and click the window. macOS captures the selected window rather than the entire screen.
How do I paste a screenshot without saving a file?
Hold Control while using a screenshot shortcut. For example, press Control-Shift-Command-4, select an area, and then paste it into another app with Command-V.
Can I record my Mac screen?
Yes. Press Shift-Command-5, then choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion. Click Record to begin. Use the stop button in the menu bar to end the recording.
Screen recordings can contain private information, so review the screen before starting. Also remember that stopping a recording saves a video file rather than an image.
Can I take a screenshot after a delay?
Yes. Open the Screenshot tool with Shift-Command-5, click Options, and choose 5 Seconds or 10 Seconds under Timer.
How do I take a screenshot on a Mac without a keyboard?
Open the Screenshot app from Applications > Utilities, or use Shift-Command-5 if a keyboard is available. The Screenshot app provides the same general capture and recording controls.
Final Thoughts
The quickest way to take a screenshot on a Mac is Shift-Command-3 for the full screen or Shift-Command-4 for a selected area. For window captures, timers, screen recordings, and save-location controls, use Shift-Command-5. Check the Desktop first when you cannot find a screenshot, then review the Screenshot tool’s Options if the destination has changed.