The fastest way to screenshot on a Mac
On any Apple computer, press Shift + Command + 3 to capture your entire screen. The screenshot saves to your desktop as a PNG file with the date and time in the filename. If you want to capture only part of the screen instead, press Shift + Command + 4, then click and drag to select the area you need.
Both shortcuts work the same way on every Mac running macOS 10.14 or later. The file appears on your desktop within seconds, ready to share or edit. You do not need to open any app or adjust settings first.
Key Takeaways
- Shift + Command + 3 captures your entire screen and saves it to your desktop as a PNG file.
- Shift + Command + 4 lets you select a specific area of the screen before capturing.
- Shift + Command + 5 opens the Screenshot app, which gives you more control over where the file saves and what you capture.
- You can change the default save location from your desktop to a folder, cloud storage, or clipboard using the Screenshot app.
Capturing just the window you need
If you want to screenshot a single window without the background, use Shift + Command + 4, then press the spacebar. Your cursor changes to a camera icon. Move it over the window you want and click—the entire window frame captures, including the title bar and shadow.
This method is useful when you need to send someone a picture of a specific app or dialog box without showing your desktop or other open windows. The spacebar toggle works only while you are holding down the Shift + Command + 4 keys.
Using the Screenshot app for more options
Press Shift + Command + 5 to open the Screenshot app. A toolbar appears at the bottom of your screen with five capture modes: capture entire screen, capture selected window, capture selected portion, record entire screen, or record selected portion. Click the mode you need, then click the Capture or Record button.
The Screenshot app also shows you where your file will save before you capture it. By default it goes to your desktop, but you can click the Options menu and choose a different location—your Documents folder, Downloads, a specific cloud storage folder, or even your clipboard if you want to paste it directly into another app. You can also set a timer so the screenshot captures after a delay, which is helpful if you need to set up a menu or hover state first.
Saving to the clipboard instead of your desktop
If you want the screenshot to copy to your clipboard instead of saving as a file, hold down the Control key while you press your screenshot shortcut. For example, Control + Shift + Command + 3 captures your entire screen and copies it to the clipboard. You can then paste it directly into an email, document, or image editor without creating a file on your desktop.
This method is faster when you only need the screenshot temporarily or want to paste it into another app right away. The image stays in your clipboard until you copy something else.
Taking a screenshot of your Touch Bar
If your Mac has a Touch Bar (the row of buttons at the top of the keyboard), press Shift + Command + 6 to capture just that area. The screenshot saves to your desktop like any other capture. This is useful if you are troubleshooting an issue with the Touch Bar or need to show someone what buttons appear in a specific app.
The Touch Bar screenshot captures only the Touch Bar itself, not the rest of your screen, so the file is small and focused.
Recording your screen instead of taking a still image
Press Shift + Command + 5 and select either "Record Entire Screen" or "Record Selected Portion" from the toolbar. Click the Record button. A three-second countdown appears, then recording begins. A red dot appears in the menu bar at the top of your screen to show that recording is active. When you are done, click the red dot and choose Stop Recording, or press Control + Command + Esc.
The video saves as an MP4 file to your desktop by default. You can change the save location in the Options menu of the Screenshot app, just as you would for a still screenshot. Screen recordings are useful for showing someone how to perform a task or documenting a bug that happens over time.
Editing or sharing your screenshot right away
After you take a screenshot with Shift + Command + 3 or Shift + Command + 4, a thumbnail appears in the bottom right corner of your screen for a few seconds. Click the thumbnail to open the screenshot in the Screenshot app, where you can crop it, draw on it, add text, or magnify part of it. You can also click the share button to send it directly to Mail, Messages, AirDrop, or other apps without saving a separate file first.
If you miss the thumbnail, your screenshot is still on your desktop and you can open it by double-clicking the file. The Preview app opens by default and offers the same editing tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do my screenshots save by default?
Screenshots save to your desktop as PNG files unless you change the location in the Screenshot app. Open Screenshot with Shift + Command + 5, click Options, and choose a different folder or cloud storage location. You can also set it to save to your clipboard instead.
Can I change the file format from PNG to JPG or PDF?
The built-in screenshot tools save only as PNG or MP4 (for recordings). If you need a different format, take the screenshot as PNG, then open it in Preview or another image editor and export it as JPG, PDF, or another format.
What if I want to screenshot something that requires a menu to stay open?
Use Shift + Command + 5 to open the Screenshot app, then click Options and set a timer for 3, 5, or 10 seconds. Click Capture, then quickly set up your menu or hover state before the timer runs out. The delay gives you time to prepare.
How do I take a screenshot on an older Mac?
Shift + Command + 3 and Shift + Command + 4 work on all Macs. The Screenshot app (Shift + Command + 5) is available on macOS 10.14 and later. If you have an older Mac, use the keyboard shortcuts and look for your screenshots on the desktop.
Can I screenshot a video that is playing?
Yes. Some streaming services block screenshots, but most videos play normally. Use Shift + Command + 4 to select the area and capture a still frame. If the screenshot comes out black or blank, the video player has copy protection enabled and you cannot capture it.