The fastest way to screenshot on Mac
On a Mac, the quickest screenshot method is Command + Shift + 3, which captures your entire screen and saves it to your desktop as a PNG file. If you want to capture only part of the screen, use Command + Shift + 4 instead — your cursor becomes a crosshair, and you drag to select the area you need. Both shortcuts work on any Mac running macOS 10.14 or later.
A third option, Command + Shift + 5, opens the Screenshot app with a toolbar at the bottom of your screen. This tool lets you choose between full-screen capture, window capture, or a selected area before you take the shot, and it also lets you record video of your screen. The Screenshot app is the most flexible route if you want to preview your capture or change settings before saving.
By default, all screenshots land on your desktop with a timestamp in the filename (for example, "Screenshot 2024-01-15 at 2.34.56 PM.png"). If your desktop is cluttered, you can move them to a folder later, or change where they save using the Screenshot app's Options menu.
Key Takeaways
- Command + Shift + 3 captures your entire screen in one keystroke and saves it to your desktop.
- Command + Shift + 4 lets you drag to select only the part of the screen you need.
- Command + Shift + 5 opens a toolbar where you can choose your capture type and preview before saving.
- Screenshots save as PNG files on your desktop by default, but you can change the save location in the Screenshot app.
- You can hold the spacebar during a Command + Shift + 4 capture to switch to window-only mode without restarting.
Capturing a single window instead of the whole screen
If you only need to capture one window — say, a browser tab or a document — use Command + Shift + 4, then press the spacebar. Your cursor changes to a camera icon, and you click the window you want to capture. The entire window frame, including the title bar, gets saved as a single image.
Alternatively, open the Screenshot app with Command + Shift + 5 and click the "Capture Window" button (the second icon in the toolbar). Then click the window you want. This method shows you a preview of what will be captured before you save it, which is useful if you want to make sure you have the right window selected.
Changing where screenshots save
By default, screenshots appear on your desktop, which can clutter your workspace if you take many. To change the save location, open the Screenshot app (Command + Shift + 5), click "Options" in the toolbar, and select a different folder from the "Save to" menu. You can choose Documents, Downloads, Desktop, Clipboard, or any other folder you specify.
If you select "Clipboard" instead of a folder, the screenshot copies to your clipboard instead of saving as a file. You can then paste it directly into an email, document, or messaging app using Command + V. This is useful when you do not want to create a file at all.
Recording your screen instead of taking a static image
The Screenshot app also records video of your screen. Open it with Command + Shift + 5 and click the "Record Entire Screen" or "Record Selected Portion" button (the fourth or fifth icon in the toolbar). A red recording indicator appears in the menu bar, and you can stop recording by clicking the red circle or pressing Command + Control + Esc.
Screen recordings save as MOV files on your desktop (or wherever you set the save location). They are useful for creating tutorials, showing someone how to navigate a website, or documenting a bug in software. The file size can be large, so check your available storage before recording a long session.
Using the Grab app for older Macs
If you have an older Mac running macOS 10.13 or earlier, the keyboard shortcuts above may not work the same way. Instead, open the Grab app by going to Applications > Utilities > Grab. From the Grab menu, you can choose Selection, Window, Screen, or Timed Screen (which waits a few seconds before capturing, giving you time to set up menus or dialogs).
Grab saves screenshots as TIFF files by default, though you can change the format in the Edit menu. Most newer Macs no longer include Grab, as the Screenshot app and keyboard shortcuts have replaced it, but it is still available on older systems if you prefer it.
Editing or annotating a screenshot right after capture
When you take a screenshot using Command + Shift + 3 or Command + Shift + 4, a thumbnail appears briefly in the bottom-right corner of your screen. Click that thumbnail to open the screenshot in a markup editor where you can draw, add text, magnify parts of the image, or add shapes. You can save the edited version or discard your changes.
If you miss the thumbnail, open the Screenshot app (Command + Shift + 5) and take the capture again — the thumbnail will appear. Alternatively, find the screenshot file on your desktop, right-click it, and select "Open With" > "Preview" to edit it there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a screenshot of just the menu bar or the dock?
Yes. Use Command + Shift + 4 and drag to select only the area you need, including the menu bar or dock. The keyboard shortcuts do not exclude any part of the screen — you control what gets captured by your selection.
Where do I find my screenshots if I forgot where I saved them?
Open Spotlight by pressing Command + Spacebar, type "screenshot" and the date or part of the filename, and press Enter. Finder will show you all matching files. If you saved them to your desktop, they should be visible there when ready.
Can I take a screenshot without the timestamp in the filename?
The timestamp is added automatically by macOS and cannot be removed through the Screenshot app settings. However, you can rename the file after saving it by right-clicking it, selecting "Rename", and typing a new name without the date and time.
What is the difference between PNG and other image formats for screenshots?
PNG is lossless, meaning it preserves all the detail in your image without compression artifacts. It is ideal for screenshots because text and UI elements stay sharp. TIFF (used by older Grab app) is also lossless but creates larger files. JPG is smaller but loses detail and is not recommended for screenshots.
Can I screenshot a video or streaming content?
You can take a screenshot of most streaming video, though some services use copy protection that may prevent it. If the screenshot appears blank or black, the content is protected. Screen recording may also be blocked on protected content, depending on the service's terms.