Taking a screenshot on Mac uses keyboard shortcuts, not a Print Screen key

Mac keyboards do not have a dedicated Print Screen key like Windows computers do. Instead, you use keyboard combinations to capture your screen. The most common shortcut is Command + Shift + 3, which takes a full-screen screenshot and saves it to your desktop as a file you can open, edit, or share.

If you need more control over what you capture — like just one window or a specific area — Mac offers other shortcuts that let you choose exactly what gets saved. You can also use the built-in Screenshot app, which gives you options to capture, annotate, and save in different ways.

Key Takeaways

  • Command + Shift + 3 captures your entire screen and saves it as a file on your desktop.
  • Command + Shift + 4 lets you drag to select just the area you want to capture.
  • Command + Shift + 5 opens the Screenshot app, where you can choose between full screen, window, or portion capture before you take the shot.
  • All screenshots save as PNG files by default, but you can change the file format or location in System Settings.
  • You can hold the spacebar while using Command + Shift + 4 to switch from selecting an area to capturing a single window.

Capture your entire screen with Command + Shift + 3

Press Command + Shift + 3 at the same time. Your screen will flash white briefly, and you will hear a camera shutter sound (if your volume is on). A thumbnail will appear in the bottom right corner of your screen for a few seconds — this is your screenshot.

The screenshot saves automatically to your desktop as a file named "Screenshot [date] at [time].png". You can click the thumbnail immediately after taking it to open the screenshot in Preview, where you can crop it, draw on it, or save it in a different format. If you miss the thumbnail, just open Finder and look on your desktop.

Select a specific area with Command + Shift + 4

Press Command + Shift + 4. Your cursor will change to a crosshair. Click and drag to draw a rectangle around the area you want to capture — you will see the dimensions of your selection as you drag. Release the mouse to take the screenshot.

If you change your mind while dragging, press Escape before you release the mouse and the screenshot will not be taken. If you want to capture a single window instead of an area, hold down the spacebar while you have the crosshair active. Your cursor will change to a camera icon, and you can click any window to capture just that one.

Use the Screenshot app for more options with Command + Shift + 5

Press Command + Shift + 5 to open the Screenshot app. A menu bar will appear at the bottom of your screen with five capture options: capture entire screen, capture selected window, capture selected portion, capture video of entire screen, or capture video of selected portion.

Click the option you want, then click "Capture" to take the screenshot or start recording. The Screenshot app also shows you where your file will save and lets you change the save location before you capture. After you take a screenshot, you can click the thumbnail to edit it, add markup, or change the file format before saving.

Change where screenshots save and what format they use

By default, all screenshots save to your desktop as PNG files. To change this, open the Screenshot app with Command + Shift + 5, then click "Options" at the bottom of the menu. You will see a "Save to" section where you can choose Desktop, Documents, Clipboard, Mail, Messages, or Trash.

If you want to change the file format from PNG to JPG, TIFF, or PDF, open System Settings, click "General" in the sidebar, then scroll down and click "Screenshots". A dropdown menu will show you the available formats. You can also turn on "Show floating thumbnail" here if you want to see the thumbnail appear after each screenshot.

Copy a screenshot to your clipboard instead of saving it

If you want to capture something and paste it directly into an email, document, or message without saving a file first, hold down the Control key while you use any of the screenshot shortcuts. Command + Control + Shift + 3 copies the full screen to your clipboard. Command + Control + Shift + 4 lets you select an area and copy it.

Once the screenshot is in your clipboard, you can paste it anywhere by pressing Command + V. This is useful when you need to send a quick screenshot to someone or include it in a document without creating extra files on your desktop. The screenshot stays in your clipboard until you copy something else.

Troubleshoot when screenshots are not working

If the keyboard shortcuts are not working, check whether you have a third-party app that is using the same shortcuts. Open System Settings, click "Keyboard" in the sidebar, then click "Keyboard Shortcuts". Look for "Screenshots" in the left menu and make sure the shortcuts are not disabled or reassigned.

If you are using an external keyboard, make sure the Command and Shift keys are working by testing them in another app first. Some external keyboards have different key layouts. If the Screenshot app opens but you cannot see the menu bar, try moving your mouse to the bottom of the screen or pressing Command + Shift + 5 again. If screenshots are saving to an unexpected location, check the "Save to" setting in the Screenshot app options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a screenshot of just the menu bar or the dock?

Yes. Use Command + Shift + 4 to activate the crosshair, then drag to select just the menu bar or dock area. You can capture any rectangular area of your screen, including just the top or bottom portion. The Screenshot app also lets you capture a single window, which is useful if you want just the dock without the rest of the screen.

What if I want to screenshot something that requires me to open a menu?

Use Command + Shift + 4 to start the selection tool, then open the menu you need to capture. While the crosshair is still active, you can navigate to any menu or window on your screen. Once the menu is open, drag to select it and release to capture. Alternatively, use Command + Shift + 5 to open the Screenshot app, select your capture type, then open the menu before clicking Capture.

How do I take a screenshot on an older Mac that does not have Command + Shift + 5?

Older versions of macOS use Command + Shift + 3 for full screen and Command + Shift + 4 for selection. These shortcuts work on all Mac computers. If you want the more advanced options, update to a newer version of macOS. You can check your macOS version by clicking the Apple menu and selecting "About This Mac".

Can I edit a screenshot after I take it?

Yes. Click the thumbnail that appears in the bottom right corner after you take a screenshot to open it in the Screenshot app, where you can crop, draw, add text, or add shapes. You can also right-click the screenshot file on your desktop and open it with Preview to edit it there. Both apps let you save your changes as a new file.

Why is my screenshot saving as a JPEG instead of a PNG?

You changed the file format in System Settings. Open System Settings, click "General", scroll down to "Screenshots", and check the format dropdown. Change it back to PNG if that is what you prefer. The format you select here will be used for all future screenshots taken with the keyboard shortcuts.