The basic keyboard shortcuts for copying and pasting on Mac

On an Apple computer, you copy text or images using Command+C and paste them using Command+V. The Command key is the one with the ⌘ symbol, located on either side of the spacebar at the bottom of your keyboard. These two shortcuts work the same way across nearly every Mac process — from email to web browsers to word processors.

To copy something, first highlight or select it by clicking and dragging your mouse or trackpad across the text or image. Once it is selected (you will see it highlighted in blue), press Command+C. The item is now stored in your clipboard, which is your Mac's temporary holding area. You do not need to see any confirmation — the copy happens silently.

To paste what you copied, click in the location where you want it to appear and press Command+V. The text or image will appear at your cursor. You can paste the same item multiple times; it stays in your clipboard until you copy something else.

Key Takeaways

  • Command+C copies selected text or images, and Command+V pastes them into a new location.
  • You can paste the same copied item as many times as you want until you copy something else.
  • Command+X cuts text (removes it from the original location and copies it), which is useful when you want to move something rather than duplicate it.
  • The clipboard holds only one item at a time, so copying a new item replaces what was previously copied.
  • Paste works the same way in every Mac process, from Mail to Safari to Pages.

How to cut and move text instead of copying it

If you want to move text from one place to another instead of leaving a copy behind, use Command+X to cut. Cutting removes the text from its original location and places it in your clipboard, just as if you had copied it. Then paste it in the new location with Command+V.

Cut is useful when you are reorganizing a document — for example, moving a sentence to a different paragraph or relocating a block of text to another page. After you cut, the original text disappears, so you know it has been removed. If you paste it somewhere and then change your mind, you can undo the paste by pressing Command+Z.

Using the trackpad to copy and paste without keyboard shortcuts

If you prefer not to use keyboard shortcuts, you can copy and paste using your trackpad and the menu system. Select the text or image you want to copy by clicking and dragging across it. Then use two fingers on your trackpad to click (this is called a right-click or secondary click), and a menu will appear with the word "Copy" near the top. Click on "Copy."

To paste, right-click in the location where you want the text to appear and select "Paste" from the menu that shows up. This method takes longer than using the keyboard shortcuts, but it works if you find the keyboard approach confusing or if your keyboard is not working properly.

What happens when you copy different types of content

You can copy and paste more than just text. Images, links, files, and even formatted text (text with bold, italics, or colors) all work with Command+C and Command+V. When you copy an image from a website or document, pasting it will insert the actual image into your new location. When you copy a link, pasting it usually inserts the web address as clickable text.

Formatted text — text with special styling — sometimes pastes with its original formatting (bold, colors, fonts) and sometimes pastes as plain text, depending on which process you are pasting into. If you paste text into an email and it arrives with unexpected colors or fonts, try using Command+Option+Shift+V instead of Command+V. This keyboard combination pastes as plain text only, stripping away any formatting.

Clearing your clipboard and understanding what stays copied

Your clipboard holds only one item at a time. When you copy something new, it replaces whatever was previously copied. There is no way to view what is currently in your clipboard or to keep multiple items copied at once using the standard Mac clipboard.

If you copy something and then realize you need the previous item back, undo the copy by pressing Command+Z, which will restore the earlier clipboard contents. If you have already pasted the new item and want to undo that action, Command+Z will remove the pasted content.

When you restart your Mac, the clipboard is cleared. This means if you copy something and then shut down your computer before pasting it, that copied item will be gone when you turn the Mac back on.

Troubleshooting when copy and paste is not working

If Command+C and Command+V are not working, first check that you have actually selected something before copying. Click and drag to highlight text or click once on an image to select it — you should see it highlighted in blue or with a border around it. If nothing is selected, the copy command will not do anything.

If copy and paste work in some applications but not others, the problem may be with that specific process rather than your Mac. Try closing and reopening the process. If the problem persists, restart your Mac by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner, selecting "Shut Down," waiting a few seconds, and turning it back on.

If your keyboard is not responding to Command+C and Command+V at all, try the trackpad method described earlier (right-click and select Copy or Paste from the menu). If that works, your keyboard may need repair or replacement. If neither method works, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy and paste between different applications?

Yes. You can copy text from a web browser and paste it into an email, or copy from a document and paste into a chat process. The clipboard works across all Mac applications, so anything you copy in one program can be pasted into any other program.

What is the difference between copy and cut?

Copy (Command+C) leaves the original text in place and puts a duplicate in your clipboard. Cut (Command+X) removes the text from its original location and puts it in your clipboard. Use cut when you want to move something, and copy when you want to duplicate it.

Why did my text paste with different colors or fonts than I expected?

Some applications paste text with its original formatting (colors, fonts, bold), while others paste only plain text. If you want plain text without any formatting, use Command+Option+Shift+V instead of Command+V. This strips away colors, fonts, and other styling.

Does copy and paste work the same way on iPad and iPhone?

The concept is the same, but the method is different. On iPad and iPhone, you select text by tapping and holding, then tap "Copy" from the menu. To paste, tap where you want the text and select "Paste." There is no Command key on these devices, so keyboard shortcuts do not work the same way.

What happens to my clipboard when I restart my Mac?

The clipboard is cleared when you restart. Anything you copied before the restart will be gone. If you need to preserve something you copied, paste it somewhere (like a document or email draft) before you shut down your Mac.