The fastest way to screenshot on a Mac is Shift-Command-3 for the entire screen or Shift-Command-4 for part of the screen. For more control, press Shift-Command-5 to open the Screenshot toolbar.

Those three shortcuts cover almost every everyday screenshot task. You can also capture a single window, copy a screenshot straight to the clipboard, use a timer for menus, change where screenshots are saved, include the pointer, and edit captures with Apple's built-in Markup tools.

Table of contents

How do I screenshot on a Mac?

Use the shortcut based on what you want to capture:

What you want to capture	Shortcut
Entire screen	`Shift` + `Command` + `3`
Selected area	`Shift` + `Command` + `4`
Specific window	`Shift` + `Command` + `4`, then `Space`
Screenshot toolbar	`Shift` + `Command` + `5`
Copy full screen to clipboard	`Control` + `Shift` + `Command` + `3`
Copy a selected area to clipboard	`Control` + `Shift` + `Command` + `4`

By default, screenshots made with the standard keyboard shortcuts are saved as PNG files on the desktop. You can change the save location through the Screenshot toolbar.

How to capture the entire screen on a Mac

Use Shift-Command-3 when you want everything visible on the screen.

Press Shift-Command-3.
Release the keys.
macOS captures the screen.
Wait for the thumbnail to disappear, or click the thumbnail if you want to edit the image first.

The screenshot normally goes to the Desktop unless you have changed the save location. macOS adds a date and time to the filename.

Using more than one display? A full-screen capture may produce a separate image for each display. Check the Desktop or your selected save folder before assuming the screenshot is missing.

How to screenshot part of the screen on a Mac

Use Shift-Command-4 when you only need part of the screen.

Press Shift-Command-4.
Move the crosshair to the starting point.
Hold the mouse or trackpad button and drag across the area you want.
Release the button to take the screenshot.

The selected area becomes the screenshot. This method works well for a section of a webpage, an error message, an image, or a small part of an app.

How to cancel a selection

If you change your mind while selecting an area, press Escape before releasing the mouse or trackpad button. The capture closes without saving the selection.

How to screenshot a window on a Mac

You do not need to drag around a window manually. macOS has a separate window capture mode inside the selection shortcut.

Press Shift-Command-4.
Press Space.
The pointer changes to a camera.
Move the camera over the window you want to capture.
Click the window.

macOS captures the selected window rather than the surrounding desktop. The same method also works for the menu bar.

One limitation: Some apps block window screenshots. Apple lists apps such as Apple TV among examples where screenshot capture of a window might not work.

How to copy a screenshot without saving a file

If you only need to paste a screenshot into an email, message, document, or image editor, send it straight to the clipboard.

Add Control to the normal screenshot shortcut:

Control-Shift-Command-3 copies the entire screen.
Control-Shift-Command-4 copies a selected area.

After taking the screenshot, switch to the app where you want the image and press Command-V.

This approach keeps temporary screenshots from filling your Desktop with files. Apple also supports saving a screenshot thumbnail directly to the clipboard through its contextual menu.

How to use the Screenshot app on a Mac

Press Shift-Command-5 to open Apple's Screenshot toolbar. You get more control than the basic keyboard shortcuts provide.

The toolbar gives you options for:

Capturing the entire screen
Capturing a window
Capturing part of the screen
Recording the entire screen
Recording a selected area

Open Options to change the save location, timer, floating thumbnail, pointer visibility, and other available settings. Supported Macs running macOS Tahoe 26 also offer SDR and HDR capture settings.

Remember your last selection

If you repeatedly capture the same part of the screen, open Shift-Command-5 > Options and enable Remember Last Selection. macOS then keeps your previous selection ready for the next capture.

How to screenshot a menu or tooltip with a timer

Menus and tooltips often disappear as soon as you press a keyboard shortcut. The Screenshot timer gives you time to open them first.

Press Shift-Command-5.
Click Options.
Choose a timer delay.
Start the capture.
Open the menu or trigger the tooltip before the countdown ends.

macOS captures the screen after the selected delay. Apple also provides pointer controls through the same Options menu.

How to edit and annotate a Mac screenshot

You do not need another image editor for basic screenshot edits.

Edit the screenshot from the floating thumbnail

After a capture, macOS shows a small thumbnail in the corner when the floating thumbnail option is enabled.

Click the thumbnail to open the editing view. From there, you can use Markup tools to add annotations and make basic changes before saving or sharing the image.

You can also drag the thumbnail directly into a document, email, note, or Finder window instead of waiting for the file to save first.

Edit a screenshot later in Preview

If you miss the thumbnail, open the saved screenshot in Preview. Click the Markup button in the toolbar to access the available annotation tools.

Preview is useful when you need to make changes after the screenshot has already been saved.

How to change where Mac screenshots are saved

If you take many screenshots, saving everything to the Desktop gets messy fast. macOS lets you choose another folder.

Press Shift-Command-5.
Click Options.
Find Save To.
Choose one of the listed locations or select Other Location.
Choose the folder you want to use.

Take another screenshot after changing the setting. This gives you an easy way to confirm the new location before you start looking for files elsewhere. Apple confirms the Screenshot app controls the default screenshot location.

How to change the screenshot format on a Mac

For most users, PNG is the safest choice because it works well across computers, browsers, messaging apps, and documents.

On supported Macs running macOS Tahoe 26 or later, the Screenshot app includes a Capture Format setting with SDR and HDR options. Apple says SDR uses PNG, while HDR uses HEIF on supported Macs.

When should you use SDR?

Choose SDR when compatibility matters more than preserving HDR brightness and colour. PNG is widely supported, so SDR is the practical choice when you plan to upload the screenshot to websites, share it with other people, or use it in documents.

When should you use HDR?

Use HDR when you have a supported Mac and display and want to preserve the wider brightness and colour range in the capture. Apple notes that HDR's visual difference is best seen on an HDR display.

Older macOS versions: The Screenshot options available to you depend on your macOS version and Mac model. If you do not see Capture Format, use the standard PNG workflow or check Apple's documentation for your version.

Mac screenshot not working? Try these fixes

The screenshot shortcut does nothing

First, check whether the screenshot shortcuts are still enabled.

Open Apple menu > System Settings.
Open Keyboard.
Select Keyboard Shortcuts.
Select Screenshots.
Check whether the relevant shortcuts are enabled.

Apple also lets you change these shortcuts from the same section.

If the shortcuts are enabled but still fail, check whether another application uses the same key combination. Screen recording, remote access, productivity, and keyboard-customisation apps sometimes add their own shortcuts.

The screenshot saved somewhere else

Press Shift-Command-5 and check Options > Save To. The folder listed there is where new screenshots are being sent.

The screenshot looks blank

Some apps prevent screenshot capture for protected content. Apple notes that certain apps do not allow screenshots of their windows.

If normal apps also produce blank captures, test the shortcut on the Desktop or Finder. If the problem continues, check the screenshot shortcuts in System Settings.

The screenshot thumbnail disappeared

There is no need to take the screenshot again. If the thumbnail disappears, the screenshot has normally been saved to the selected location.

Open the Desktop or the folder selected under Shift-Command-5 > Options > Save To.

The screenshot includes the mouse pointer

Open Shift-Command-5 > Options and turn off Show Mouse Pointer. The same menu also lets you turn pointer visibility back on when you need the cursor visible for a tutorial or demonstration.

Do you need a third-party Mac screenshot app?

For normal screenshots, Apple's built-in tools are enough. A separate app becomes useful when your workflow involves long webpages, repeated annotations, screenshot history, advanced sharing, or screen recordings.

Tool	Best suited to	Useful features
CleanShot X	Frequent Mac screenshot users	Scrolling capture, annotation, screenshot history, screen recording, OCR and sharing
Snagit	Documentation and training	Scrolling capture, annotations and tools for creating instructional material

CleanShot X is worth considering if screenshots are part of your daily work. Its current feature set includes scrolling capture, annotations, screen recording, OCR, screenshot history and sharing tools. The developer also lists support for current macOS versions.

Snagit makes more sense for people who create documentation, tutorials, training material, or long captures. Its scrolling capture handles content extending beyond the visible part of a browser or app window.

If all you need is a full-screen, window, or selected-area screenshot, stick with Apple's built-in tools. Installing another app adds complexity without solving a problem you have.

Mac screenshot shortcuts: complete quick reference

Action	Shortcut
Capture entire screen	`Shift` + `Command` + `3`
Capture selected area	`Shift` + `Command` + `4`
Capture a window	`Shift` + `Command` + `4`, then `Space`
Capture a menu	Open the menu, then `Shift` + `Command` + `4`
Copy entire screen to clipboard	`Control` + `Shift` + `Command` + `3`
Copy selected area to clipboard	`Control` + `Shift` + `Command` + `4`
Open Screenshot toolbar	`Shift` + `Command` + `5`
Capture Touch Bar	`Shift` + `Command` + `6`

Apple lists these as the standard Mac screenshot shortcuts. Some shortcut options depend on the Mac model and macOS version.

Frequently asked questions

What is the quickest way to screenshot on a Mac?

Press Shift-Command-3 to capture the entire screen. For a specific area, use Shift-Command-4.

How do I screenshot a specific window on a Mac?

Press Shift-Command-4, press Space, then click the window you want to capture.

How do I screenshot on a Mac without saving the image?

Add Control to the screenshot shortcut. For example, Control-Shift-Command-3 copies the entire screen to the clipboard. You can then paste the image into another app.

Where are screenshots saved on a Mac?

By default, screenshots are saved to the Desktop. You can choose another folder through Shift-Command-5 > Options > Save To.

How do I screenshot a menu on a Mac?

Open the menu first, then press Shift-Command-4 and select the menu or menu items you want. For menus that disappear too quickly, use the timer in the Screenshot toolbar.

How do I edit a screenshot on a Mac?

Click the screenshot thumbnail when it appears, then use the Markup tools. If the thumbnail is gone, open the saved image in Preview and use the Markup toolbar.

Why is my Mac screenshot shortcut not working?

Check System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Screenshots first. Make sure the shortcut is enabled. If another app uses the same shortcut, change the conflicting shortcut or restore the Mac screenshot shortcut.

Does Mac support HDR screenshots?

Supported Macs running macOS Tahoe 26 or later offer HDR capture through the Screenshot app. Apple says HDR screenshots use HEIF, while SDR capture uses PNG.

Final answer: which Mac screenshot shortcut should you use?

If you only remember three shortcuts, remember these:

Shift-Command-3 captures the entire screen.
Shift-Command-4 captures a selected area or, with Space, a window.
Shift-Command-5 opens the Screenshot toolbar with timers, save options, pointer controls, screen recording and other settings.

Add Control when you want the screenshot copied to the clipboard instead of saved as a file.

For most Mac users, those shortcuts are all you need. Once you know which shortcut matches the job, taking a screenshot becomes a two-second task instead of something you have to look up each time.