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Tools

macOS Screenshot Tool

Quick reference for macOS screenshot commands and keyboard shortcuts

Capture Entire Screen

Full Screen

Takes a screenshot of your entire screen and saves it to your desktop

⌘+⇧+3
Cmd + Shift + 3

Capture Entire Screen to Clipboard

Full Screen

Takes a screenshot of your entire screen and copies it to clipboard

⌘+⌃+⇧+3
Cmd + Control + Shift + 3

Capture Selected Area

Selection

Select a portion of your screen to capture and save to desktop

⌘+⇧+4
Cmd + Shift + 4

Capture Selected Area to Clipboard

Selection

Select a portion of your screen to capture and copy to clipboard

⌘+⌃+⇧+4
Cmd + Control + Shift + 4

Capture Window

Window

After pressing, hit Space then click a window to capture it

⌘+⇧+4+Space
Cmd + Shift + 4, then Space

Open Screenshot App

Advanced

Opens the Screenshot app with all capture options and tools

⌘+⇧+5
Cmd + Shift + 5

Capture Touch Bar

Advanced

Takes a screenshot of the Touch Bar (MacBook Pro with Touch Bar only)

⌘+⇧+6
Cmd + Shift + 6

Tips & Tricks

  • Cancel a screenshot: Press Esc while selecting
  • Move selection: Hold Space while dragging to reposition
  • Lock proportions: Hold Shift while dragging to create a square selection
  • Default location: Screenshots are saved to your Desktop by default
  • Change location: Open Screenshot app (⌘⇧5) → Options → Save to
  • Disable shadow on windows: In Screenshot app Options, uncheck "Show floating thumbnail"

System Requirements: macOS 10.14 (Mojave) or later for Screenshot app. Basic shortcuts work on all versions of macOS.