The short answer
Press Shift-Command-3 to capture the whole screen, or Shift-Command-4 and drag to capture part of it. Press Shift-Command-4 then Space to capture a window. Shift-Command-5 opens the Screenshot app with all options, including screen recording. Screenshots save to your desktop by default.
macOS has screenshots built in, with a few easy keyboard shortcuts. Here are all of them, plus how to record your screen.
1. Capture the whole screen
Press Shift-Command-3. A thumbnail appears in the corner of the screen. Click it to edit, or wait for it to save to your desktop.
2. Capture part of the screen
- Press Shift-Command-4.
- Drag the crosshair to select the area. Hold Space while dragging to move the selection.
- Release to take the screenshot. Press Esc to cancel.
3. Capture a window or menu
- Open the window or menu.
- Press Shift-Command-4, then press the Space bar. The pointer changes to a camera.
- Click the window or menu.
Hold Option while clicking to remove the window’s shadow.
4. Use the Screenshot app
Press Shift-Command-5. A toolbar appears with buttons to:
- capture the entire screen, a window or a selection,
- record the entire screen or a selected portion,
- open Options to set a timer, choose where to save, show the mouse pointer, and pick a microphone for recordings.
Click Capture or Record. To stop a recording, click the stop button in the menu bar or press Command-Control-Esc.
Copy instead of save
Add Control to any shortcut, like Control-Shift-Command-3 or Control-Shift-Command-4, to copy the screenshot to the clipboard instead of saving a file.
Where screenshots are saved
By default, screenshots are saved to your desktop with a name like “Screenshot [date] at [time].png”. To change this, press Shift-Command-5, click Options, and choose a new location.
Edit and mark up
Click the floating thumbnail right after taking a screenshot to crop, draw, add text or a signature, then click Done. You can also open any screenshot in Preview and use the markup toolbar.
Related guides
Using Windows too? See how to take a screenshot on Windows. On your phone: iPhone or Android.
The bottom line
Shift-Command-4 is the everyday shortcut for a selection, and Shift-Command-5 gives you every option, including screen recording. Using Windows too? See how to take a screenshot on Windows.
Frequently asked questions
How do I copy a screenshot instead of saving it?
Add the Control key to the shortcut. For example, Control-Shift-Command-4 copies the selected area to the clipboard so you can paste it straight into a message or document.
How do I change where screenshots are saved?
Press Shift-Command-5, click Options, and choose a location under Save to, such as Documents or Clipboard.
Can I record my screen with sound?
Press Shift-Command-5, choose a recording option, then click Options and select a microphone. Recording system audio may require additional apps.
Why you can trust this guide
- Based on official sources. The steps here are checked against the 2 official sources listed below, such as the help pages of the companies involved.
- Checked and dated. Last checked on November 10, 2026. We update guides when software or advice changes.
- Independent. No company paid for or reviewed this guide. We don't sell products, and ads never influence our advice.
- Open to corrections. Spotted an error? Tell us and we'll fix it. Read how we research.
Sources
This guide is general information. Menus and features can change with software updates, and steps may differ on your device or version. Back up important data before making big changes. Read our disclaimer.
