BlogScreenshots on your device
How to Take a Screenshot on macOS
Capture your whole Mac screen, a window, or a selected area. Learn the shortcuts, save options, clipboard workflow, and common fixes.
To take a screenshot on a Mac, press Shift-Command-3 for the entire screen, Shift-Command-4 to select an area, or Shift-Command-4 followed by Space to capture a window or menu. Press Shift-Command-5 to open the Screenshot controls for capture options such as a timer and save location. Screenshots save to the desktop by default.
Choose the capture you need
| What to capture | Shortcut | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Entire screen | Shift-Command-3 | Captures everything visible on the display. |
| Selected area | Shift-Command-4 | Turns the pointer into a crosshair so you can drag a rectangle. |
| Window or menu | Shift-Command-4, then Space | Turns the pointer into a camera; click the window or menu. |
| Capture with options | Shift-Command-5 | Opens the Screenshot controls. |
Capture the entire screen
- Press and release Shift-Command-3.
- Wait for the screenshot. A thumbnail may appear in a corner of the screen.
- Click the thumbnail to edit the image, or let it disappear and find the saved file at the configured destination. The default destination is the desktop.
If you have more than one display, this shortcut captures the screen rather than a single selected region. Use the selection shortcut if you only need one part of the visible desktop.
Capture part of the screen
- Press and release Shift-Command-4. The pointer becomes a crosshair.
- Drag to outline the area you want.
- Release the pointer to take the screenshot.
Press Esc before releasing to cancel. While dragging, hold Space to move the selection rectangle without changing its size. This is useful when the rectangle is the right size but needs repositioning.
Capture a window or menu
- Open or display the window or menu.
- Press Shift-Command-4, then press and release Space.
- When the pointer changes to a camera, click the target.
To omit the window shadow, hold Option while clicking. Press Esc to cancel instead of capturing. Some apps, including Apple TV, may prevent screenshots of their windows.
Use the Screenshot controls
Press Shift-Command-5 to open the Screenshot panel. You can also find Screenshot in Applications > Utilities. Choose the control for the whole screen, a window, or a selected portion, then start the capture.
Open Options to configure available capture settings, including:
- Save to: choose where screenshots go instead of using the desktop default.
- Timer: set a delay before the capture, giving you time to arrange menus or other on-screen content.
- Floating thumbnail: control whether the thumbnail appears after capture.
- Pointer and clicks: choose whether to include the pointer or click indicators where supported.
On supported Mac models running macOS Tahoe 26 or later, Apple lists SDR (Most Compatible) using PNG and HDR using HEIF as format choices. Availability depends on both macOS version and hardware, so check the options on your Mac rather than assuming these formats are available everywhere. Apple’s Mac user guide describes screenshots as PNG files by default.
Save, copy, and edit a screenshot
Save it as a file
By default, the screenshot is saved to the desktop. To choose another destination, open Shift-Command-5 > Options and select the save location. You can also click the floating thumbnail to open the editing controls or drag the thumbnail to another location.
Copy it to the clipboard
Hold Control as you use a screenshot shortcut to copy the capture instead of saving it as a file. For example, use Control-Shift-Command-3 to copy the full screen. You can also Control-click the floating thumbnail and choose Save to Clipboard, then paste into a document, message, or image editor.
Change or troubleshoot screenshot shortcuts
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| A shortcut does nothing | The shortcut may have been changed or may conflict with another command. | Open System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Screenshots. Check or customize the assigned shortcuts. |
| The screenshot is hard to find | The save destination was changed, or you expected the clipboard workflow to create a file. | Check Screenshot > Options for the destination. If you held Control, paste the image where you need it. |
| A window cannot be captured | The app may restrict screenshots of its content. | Try a selected-area capture or consult the app’s own guidance. Some protected apps, including Apple TV, may block window screenshots. |
| The wrong area was captured | The selection was released before it covered the desired area. | Press Esc to cancel and retry. Hold Space while dragging to reposition the selection without resizing it. |
| A menu closes before capture | The keyboard sequence or click disrupted the menu state. | Use Shift-Command-5 and its timer option to allow time to arrange the screen before capture. |
Apple documents screenshot capture on macOS Mojave 10.14 or later. Shortcut names use the Command key; on many keyboards, it is marked with the ⌘ symbol.
Or skip the browser setup
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FAQ
What is the quickest way to take a screenshot on a Mac?
Use Shift-Command-3 for the whole screen, or Shift-Command-4 for a selected region.
Can I take a screenshot without saving a file?
Yes. Hold Control with a screenshot shortcut to copy the image to the clipboard, then paste it where you need it.
Can I change the screenshot keyboard shortcuts?
Yes. Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Screenshots.
Why are some screenshots in HEIF instead of PNG?
On supported hardware with macOS Tahoe 26 or later, Screenshot may offer HDR capture using HEIF. The available format options depend on your Mac and macOS version.
