Whether you have just set up a new Mac or have switched from Windows to macOS, taking a screenshot is one of the first shortcuts worth learning.
Macs do not have a Print Screen key, but macOS has built-in screenshot tools that are quicker and more flexible. The methods below work on the latest versions of macOS including macOS 27 Golden Gate, macOS Tahoe and macOS Sequoia.
Quick answer: Mac screenshot shortcuts
| What you want to capture | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| The entire screen | Shift–Command–3 |
| A selected area | Shift–Command–4 |
| A window, menu bar or Dock | Shift–Command–4, then press Space bar |
| Open the Screenshot app and its options | Shift–Command–5 |
| Copy a screenshot to the Clipboard instead of saving it | Hold Control while using the relevant shortcut |
For most people, Shift–Command–4 is the most useful shortcut. It lets you drag around exactly the part of the screen you want to keep.
For the full list of methods, including third-party tools and advanced options, see our ultimate guide to taking screenshots on a Mac.
1. Take a screenshot with keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to take a screenshot when you do not need to change any settings first.
Capture the whole screen
Press Shift–Command–3 to capture the entire screen.
Capture part of the screen
Press Shift–Command–4. Your pointer changes into crosshairs. Click and drag over the area you want to capture, then release the mouse button or trackpad.
Press Esc at any time to cancel.
Capture one window, a menu bar or the Dock
Press Shift–Command–4, then press the Space bar. The pointer changes to a camera. Move it over the window, menu bar or Dock you want, then click.
To capture a window without its drop shadow, hold Option while clicking it.
Copy a screenshot straight to the Clipboard
If you want to paste the image directly into Mail, Messages, Notes, a document or an image editor, hold Control as well as the usual keys.
For example:
- Control–Shift–Command–3 copies the whole screen to the Clipboard.
- Control–Shift–Command–4 copies a selected area to the Clipboard.
You can then paste the screenshot with Command–V. We also explain every way to copy a screenshot to the Clipboard on a Mac.
2. Use the macOS Screenshot app for more control
The built-in Screenshot app is the best option when you want to choose where a screenshot is saved, add a timer, include the pointer or make a screen recording.
Press Shift–Command–5 to open it. You can also open Screenshot from Applications > Utilities.
The toolbar lets you:
- Capture the entire screen.
- Capture a window.
- Capture a selected portion of the screen.
- Record the entire screen, a window or a selected portion.
Choose the capture icon you want. For a selected area, drag the frame or its edges to reposition or resize it. For a window, move the pointer over the window and click it. Then click Capture.
Useful Screenshot options
Click Options in the Screenshot toolbar before capturing to adjust the settings:
- Save to: Choose Desktop, Documents, Clipboard, Mail, Messages, Preview or another folder. For more check our guide on how to change where screenshots are saved on a Mac.
- Timer: Add a short delay, which is useful when you need to open a menu before the capture starts.
- Show Floating Thumbnail: Displays a small preview at the bottom-right of the screen. Click it to mark up or share the screenshot, or drag it straight into a document, email, note or Finder window.
- Remember Last Selection: Reuses the same selected area next time.
- Show Mouse Pointer: Includes the pointer in a screenshot when needed for an instruction or support guide.
On supported Macs running macOS Tahoe or Golden Gate, Screenshot also lets you choose Capture Format. SDR (Most Compatible) saves a PNG, while HDR saves a higher-dynamic-range HEIF image. Use SDR if you want the image to look consistent on the widest range of displays, apps and websites.
The recording controls are useful too, but if you want to record tutorials, video calls or gameplay, see our separate guide on how to screen record on a Mac.
3. Preview
Preview is a good alternative if you want the image to open immediately for annotation, cropping or resizing.
To take a screenshot in a few ways using Preview.
- Go to File > Take Screenshot > From Selection to select a part of the screen you want to capture.
- Go to File > Take Screenshot > From Window to take a screenshot of a specific window.
- Go to File > Take Screenshot > From Entire Screen to take a screenshot of the entire screen.
When you’ve captured the image, you can then edit it by clicking on the Show Markup Toolbar in the Markup toolbar. If you can’t see the Markup Toolbar then you can make it appear by going to View > Show Markup Toolbar.
When you’re done click on File > Save to save it anywhere on your Mac.
Where are Mac screenshots saved?
By default, screenshots taken with the keyboard shortcuts or Screenshot app are saved to the Desktop. The filename includes the date and time it was taken.
Most standard screenshots are saved as PNG files. On compatible Tahoe and Golden Gate Macs, HDR screenshots use the HEIF format instead. Screen recordings are saved as MOV files.
To change the default location, press Shift–Command–5, click Options, then choose a location under Save to. You can also choose Other Location to select a specific folder.
For a fuller walkthrough, see how to change where screenshots are saved on a Mac.
What has changed in macOS Golden Gate?
The normal Mac screenshot shortcuts have not changed in macOS 27 Golden Gate. Shift–Command–3, Shift–Command–4 and Shift–Command–5 remain the quickest ways to create a screenshot file.
There are two useful changes to be aware of:
- On supported Macs, the Screenshot app now offers the HDR/SDR capture-format choice described above.
- Golden Gate’s optional Siri AI (Beta) can also capture what is on screen so you can ask questions about it. Its shortcuts are Command–Shift–Space bar for a window and Command–Shift–6 for a selected area. This is a Siri feature, not the normal screenshot tool, so use the standard screenshot shortcuts when you simply want an image file.
For everything else that changed in the current release, see our macOS 27 Golden Gate guide.
Why are my screenshots not saving?
If your screenshots do not appear where expected, first press Shift–Command–5 and check Options > Save to. It is easy to leave Screenshot set to Clipboard, Preview, Mail or a folder you no longer use.
Also check that your screenshot shortcut has not been changed or disabled in Apple menu > System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Screenshots.
If that does not fix it, use our step-by-step guide to fix screenshots not saving on a Mac.
Can you screenshot anything on a Mac?
You can capture most apps, windows and menus. However, protected video in some apps and streaming services may block screenshots or produce a blank or black image because of copyright protection.
How do you take a scrolling screenshot on a Mac?
The built-in Screenshot app cannot capture an entire scrolling webpage or long document in one image. For that, you need a browser feature or a third-party tool. See our guide to taking scrolling screenshots on a Mac.
If you need more than these three quick methods, including ways to capture menus, use a Windows keyboard and take scrolling screenshots, see our complete Mac screenshot guide.