Taking a screenshot on a Mac is quick once you know the right keyboard shortcuts.
Whether you’re using a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini or another Mac, macOS includes built-in tools that let you capture your entire screen, a specific window or only the area you need.
The three most important shortcuts to remember are:
Shift + Command + 3 — Capture the entire screen
Shift + Command + 4 — Capture a selected area
Shift + Command + 5 — Open the Screenshot tool
Apple documents these as the main built-in screenshot controls available on Mac. Apple Support — Take a screenshot on Mac
Here’s how each method works.
Quick Answer: What Is the Screenshot Shortcut on Mac?
If you want to capture your entire Mac screen, press:
Shift + Command + 3
To capture only part of the screen:
Shift + Command + 4
For additional screenshot and screen-recording options:
Shift + Command + 5
For most users, these three shortcuts are all they need.
1. Capture the Entire Screen
The fastest way to capture everything visible on your Mac is:
Shift + Command + 3
Press all three keys at the same time.
Your Mac will capture the entire screen.
By default, the screenshot is saved to your desktop. You may also see a small thumbnail temporarily appear in the corner of the screen.
Clicking that thumbnail allows you to work with the screenshot before it disappears.
This method is useful when you need to capture an entire:
- Webpage
- Application
- Error message
- Desktop
- Document
2. Capture Part of the Screen
You don’t always need to capture everything on your display.
Press:
Shift + Command + 4
Your pointer will change into a crosshair.
Click and drag across the area you want to capture.
When you release your mouse or trackpad, your Mac takes the screenshot.
This is particularly useful when you want to capture a specific message, image or section of a webpage without showing everything else on your desktop.
You can press Esc if you decide to cancel the screenshot.
3. Capture a Specific Window
Mac also makes it easy to capture one application window.
Press:
Shift + Command + 4
Then press:
Space bar
Your pointer changes into a camera icon.
Move the camera over the window you want and click.
macOS captures that window without requiring you to manually crop the image afterward.
This is useful when several applications are open but you only want one of them in the screenshot.
4. Use the Mac Screenshot Tool
For more control, press:
Shift + Command + 5
A screenshot toolbar will appear on your screen.
From here, you can choose options for capturing:
- The entire screen
- A selected window
- A selected portion of the screen
The same toolbar also includes screen-recording controls.
This makes Shift + Command + 5 particularly useful for people who prefer choosing options visually instead of remembering several keyboard shortcuts.
5. Take a Delayed Screenshot
Sometimes you need a few seconds to prepare something before taking the screenshot.
For example, you might want to open a menu or position something correctly on your screen.
Press:
Shift + Command + 5
Then choose:
Options
The Screenshot tool provides timer options that allow you to delay the capture.
Choose the delay, prepare your screen and let your Mac take the screenshot when the timer expires.
6. Copy a Screenshot to the Clipboard
Sometimes you don’t need to save a screenshot as a separate image file.
You may simply want to paste it directly into an email, message or document.
You can add the Control key to a screenshot shortcut.
For example:
Control + Shift + Command + 3
This allows you to copy a full-screen screenshot to the clipboard.
You can then paste the image into a compatible application.
This can be especially convenient when you only need the screenshot temporarily.
7. Screenshot the Touch Bar
Some older MacBook Pro models include Apple’s Touch Bar.
If you have one of these models, you can use:
Shift + Command + 6
to capture the Touch Bar.
If your Mac doesn’t have a Touch Bar, you can simply ignore this shortcut.
Mac Screenshot Shortcuts
Here’s a quick reference:
| What You Want to Capture | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Entire screen | Shift + Command + 3 |
| Selected area | Shift + Command + 4 |
| Specific window | Shift + Command + 4, then Space |
| Screenshot controls | Shift + Command + 5 |
| Touch Bar | Shift + Command + 6 |
| Copy full screen to clipboard | Control + Shift + Command + 3 |
If you only remember three shortcuts, remember:
Shift + Command + 3
Shift + Command + 4
Shift + Command + 5
Where Do Screenshots Go on Mac?
By default, screenshots on Mac are saved to your desktop.
The filename usually contains the date and time when the screenshot was created.
If you just took a screenshot and can’t find it, your desktop should therefore be the first place you check.
How to Change Where Screenshots Are Saved
If you take a lot of screenshots, having all of them appear on your desktop can become messy.
You can change the location.
Press:
Shift + Command + 5
Then select:
Options
Choose where you want your screenshots to be saved.
For example, you could create a dedicated screenshots folder and keep all of your captures there.
How to Edit a Screenshot on Mac
After taking a screenshot, a thumbnail may briefly appear in the corner of your screen.
Click it before it disappears.
This gives you access to tools that can help you work with the image.
Depending on your macOS version, you can perform actions such as:
- Crop the screenshot
- Draw on it
- Add shapes
- Add text
- Highlight something
- Share the image
If you don’t click the thumbnail, your Mac will continue with its normal screenshot-saving behavior.
How to Screenshot on MacBook Air
MacBook Air uses the standard Mac screenshot shortcuts.
Use:
Shift + Command + 3 for the entire screen.
Shift + Command + 4 for a selected area.
Shift + Command + 5 for additional screenshot controls.
You don’t need to install another application for ordinary screenshots.
How to Screenshot on MacBook Pro
The same shortcuts work on MacBook Pro:
Shift + Command + 3
Shift + Command + 4
Shift + Command + 5
Older MacBook Pro models with a Touch Bar can additionally use:
Shift + Command + 6
How to Screenshot Only One Window
If you only want one window:
Press:
Shift + Command + 4
Then press:
Space bar
Move the camera icon over the window and click.
Your Mac captures that window instead of the entire display.
Why Is My Mac Screenshot Not Working?
If nothing happens when you use a screenshot shortcut, there are several things you can check.
Make Sure You’re Using the Correct Keys
For the entire screen:
Shift + Command + 3
For part of the screen:
Shift + Command + 4
Check Your Keyboard Shortcuts
Screenshot shortcuts can be customized in macOS.
You can review screenshot keyboard shortcuts in your Mac’s keyboard settings.
If the default shortcut was previously changed, the normal key combination may no longer work as expected.
Check the Application
Certain applications or protected content may restrict screenshots.
If the shortcut works everywhere except one particular application, the issue may therefore be related to that app rather than your keyboard.
How to Find a Screenshot You Just Took
Start by checking your desktop.
If you previously changed your screenshot save location, check that folder instead.
You can also open Finder and search for:
Screenshot
Recent screenshots should be relatively easy to identify because their filenames normally include a date and time.
How to Screenshot on Mac Without Saving the Image
If you only want to paste the screenshot somewhere, use the Control key with your normal screenshot shortcut.
For example:
Control + Shift + Command + 3
Then open the application where you want the image and paste it.
This avoids creating another screenshot file on your desktop.
Mac vs. Windows Screenshot Shortcuts
Mac and Windows use different keyboard shortcuts for screenshots.
On Mac, one of the most useful shortcuts is:
Shift + Command + 4
On Windows, a common shortcut for selecting an area of the screen is:
Windows + Shift + S
If you use both operating systems, see our guide on how to take a screenshot on Windows for all the main Windows screenshot shortcuts.
This also gives this article its first contextual internal link to another BriefTop Technology guide.
Screenshot vs. Screen Recording on Mac
A screenshot captures a single still image.
A screen recording creates a video showing what happens on your display.
Mac provides access to both from:
Shift + Command + 5
If you only need to show one error, setting or message, a screenshot is usually enough.
If you need to demonstrate several steps, a screen recording may be more useful.
Tips for Better Screenshots
Before taking a screenshot, check your screen for information you don’t want other people to see.
That could include:
- Email addresses
- Phone numbers
- Account information
- Personal conversations
- Passwords
- Private browser tabs
Whenever possible, capture only the portion of the screen that’s relevant.
Smaller and more focused screenshots are generally easier for other people to understand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the screenshot keys on Mac?
The main Mac screenshot shortcuts are Shift + Command + 3 for the entire screen, Shift + Command + 4 for a selected area and Shift + Command + 5 for Screenshot controls.
Where are screenshots saved on Mac?
By default, Mac screenshots are saved to the desktop. The save location can be changed through the Screenshot tool.
How do I screenshot part of my Mac screen?
Press Shift + Command + 4, then drag across the area you want to capture.
How do I screenshot one window on Mac?
Press Shift + Command + 4, press Space bar, then click the window you want to capture.
How do I copy a screenshot instead of saving it?
Add the Control key to the screenshot shortcut. For example, Control + Shift + Command + 3 copies a full-screen screenshot to the clipboard.
Can I change where screenshots are saved?
Yes. Press Shift + Command + 5, choose Options, and select a different save location.
Does Mac have a built-in screenshot tool?
Yes. Press Shift + Command + 5 to open the built-in Screenshot interface.
The Bottom Line
Learning how to screenshot on Mac becomes easy once you remember three shortcuts.
Shift + Command + 3 captures the entire screen.
Shift + Command + 4 lets you select a specific area.
Shift + Command + 5 opens additional screenshot and screen-recording controls.
These built-in macOS tools are enough for most everyday screenshot needs, whether you’re using a MacBook, iMac or another Mac.
