Need to take a quick screenshot on your Mac? Whether you’re capturing the entire screen, a single window, or just a small section, macOS makes it easy with built-in shortcuts. Just press Command (⌘) + Shift + 3 for the full screen or Command (⌘) + Shift + 4 to capture a portion. You can also open the Screenshot Toolbar for more options. Here’s a closer look at how they work.
How to Take a Screenshot on a Mac Keyboard
Mac users have several handy keyboard shortcuts for taking screenshots. Here are the most common methods:
1. Capture the Entire Screen
Shortcut: Command (⌘) + Shift + 3
This will take a screenshot of your entire screen and save it to your desktop by default.
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2. Capture a Selected Portion
Shortcut: Command (⌘) + Shift + 4
This turns your cursor into a crosshair so you can click and drag to select a specific area to capture. It’s the most versatile way to take a screenshot on Mac.
3. Capture a Specific Window
Shortcut: Command (⌘) + Shift + 4, then press Spacebar
After pressing the shortcut, hit the spacebar and click on the window you want to screenshot. A shadowed image of the window will be saved.
4. Open the Screenshot Toolbar
Shortcut: Command (⌘) + Shift + 5
This brings up a toolbar with options to capture the entire screen, a window, or a selected portion. You can also record your screen from here.
5. Capture the Touch Bar (for Touch Bar Macs only)
Shortcut: Command (⌘) + Shift + 6
If your Mac has a Touch Bar, this shortcut will take a screenshot of its contents.
How to Take a Screenshot on Mac with Windows Keyboard
If you’re using a Windows keyboard on your Mac (common with Mac Minis or external keyboards), the key names are different, but the functionality remains the same. Here’s how to adapt:
1. Command = Windows Key | Option = Alt Key
Keep this mapping in mind:
- Command (⌘) → Windows key
- Option (⌥) → Alt key
2. Screenshot Shortcuts Using Windows Keyboard
- Entire Screen:
Windows + Shift + 3 - Selected Area:
Windows + Shift + 4 - Screenshot Toolbar:
Windows + Shift + 5 - Window Screenshot:
Windows + Shift + 4, thenSpacebar
These shortcuts work the same way as on a native Mac keyboard, and your screenshots will be saved to the desktop by default unless otherwise configured.
Command + Shift + 5 has a Record button, but if you want to take longer or higher quality clips, I suggest using a third-party Screen Recording app. You’ve got several free options!
Where is the file saved?
Should save to your desktop after exiting Preview, or go straight to the desktop.
My screen shots don’t go to Preview OR to the Desktop. Any other suggestions?