How to Take a Screenshot on Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide
Taking a screenshot on a Mac computer is a quick and easy way to capture what you’re seeing on your screen. Maybe you want to capture a funny meme or save an important document for future reference. Whatever your reason, learning how to take a screenshot on a Mac is an essential skill every user should know.
Unlike other operating systems, Mac has a several ways to take screenshots. Depending on your needs, you can take full screen shots, selected area shots, or even timed screenshot. In this article, we will explore the various methods of taking screenshots on a Mac, so you can capture your screen like a pro in no time. Let’s get started!
How to Make a Screenshot on Mac: Step-by-Step Guide
If you have just gotten a new Mac or haven’t used one extensively before, you might be wondering how to take a screenshot on your Mac. Fortunately, it’s pretty straightforward once you know the right keyboard shortcuts and menu options.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to capture screenshots on your Mac quickly and easily, whether you want to capture a full screen, a specific window, or a selected portion of the screen. Let’s get started!
1. How to Take a Screenshot of the Entire Screen
If you want to capture everything visible on your Mac’s screen, including any windows and menus, you can take a screenshot of the entire screen. To do this, simply press Command + Shift + 3. Your screenshot will be saved to your desktop automatically.
2. How to Take a Screenshot of a Specific Window
If you only want to capture a particular window, such as a web browser or a document, you can use a slightly different keyboard shortcut. First, select the window you want to capture by clicking on it. Then, press Command + Shift + 4, followed by the Spacebar. Your cursor will change to a camera icon. Simply click on the desired window, and your screenshot will be saved to your desktop.
3. How to Take a Screenshot of a Selected Area
If you want to capture only a selected portion of your screen, you can do that too. Press Command + Shift + 4 to enter screenshot mode. Your cursor will change to a crosshair. Click and drag over the area you want to capture. Once you release the mouse button, your screenshot will be saved to your desktop.
4. How to Take a Screenshot and Edit it
If you need to make some quick edits to your screenshots before saving or sharing them, you don’t need to open a third-party image editing app. Simply take your screenshot as usual (using the keyboard shortcuts we’ve discussed above), and then click on the thumbnail that appears in the bottom-right corner of your screen. This will open the screenshot in Preview, where you can add text, arrows, and other annotations. Once your edits are complete, save your screenshot as usual.
5. How to Take a Screenshot with Timer
If you need to take a timed screenshot, you can do that too. Press Command + Shift + 5 to open the Screenshot app. From there, you can choose to capture the entire screen, a selected portion, or a window. You can also choose a timer option (5 or 10 seconds) before the screenshot is taken.
6. How to Record a Video of your Screen
If you need to record a video of your screen, you can do that too. Press Command + Shift + 5 to open the Screenshot app. From there, select the “Record Entire Screen” or “Record Selected Portion” option. You can also choose whether to capture audio from your microphone or system audio.
7. How to Take a Screenshot and Send it
If you need to share your screenshot with someone, you don’t need to save it to your desktop first. Simply take your screenshot as usual, and then click on the thumbnail that appears in the bottom-right corner of your screen. From there, you can choose to send the screenshot via email, Messages, AirDrop, or other sharing options.
8. How to Change the Screenshot File Format and Storage Location
If you want to change the file format or storage location of your screenshots, you can do that too. Open the Screenshot app by pressing Command + Shift + 5, and then click on “Options” in the bottom-left corner of the screen. From there, you can choose to save your screenshots in PNG, JPEG, TIFF, or PDF format, and you can choose where to save them on your Mac.
9. How to Take a Screenshot on Mac with External Keyboard
If you have an external keyboard connected to your Mac, you can use the same keyboard shortcuts as on the built-in keyboard to take screenshots. If your keyboard doesn’t have the necessary keys, you can create custom keyboard shortcuts in the Keyboard preferences pane in System Preferences.
10. How to Take Screenshots on Mac using Third-Party Apps and Utilities
Finally, if you need more advanced screenshot functionality, such as the ability to capture scrolling web pages or entire documents, or to create animated GIFs, there are plenty of third-party apps and utilities you can use. Some popular options include Snagit, Skitch, CloudApp, and GIPHY Capture.
In conclusion, taking screenshots on a Mac is a simple and quick process once you know the right shortcuts and menus. Use these tips to save time and improve your productivity in both personal and professional use of your Mac.
Top 10 ways to make a screenshot on a Mac
Are you struggling to take a screenshot on your Mac? Don’t worry; you’re not alone! But with our top 10 ways to make a screenshot on a Mac, you’ll be capturing high-quality screenshots in no time.
1. Use keyboard shortcuts: Macs have a range of keyboard shortcuts that you can use to take screenshots, including Shift-Command-3 and Shift-Command-4. With Shift-Command-3, you’ll take a screenshot of the entire screen, while Shift-Command-4 lets you select the area you want to capture.
2. Use the Grab app: You can also use your Mac’s built-in Grab app to take screenshots. Simply open the app and select the type of screenshot you want to take.
3. Use third-party apps: There are plenty of third-party apps available that can help you take screenshots on your Mac, such as Skitch, Snagit, and Jing. These apps offer advanced features such as screenshot editing, annotation, and sharing.
4. Use the Preview app: The Preview app on your Mac is not just for viewing images; you can also use it to take screenshots. Simply open the app, go to the File menu, and select Take Screenshot.
5. Use the Touch Bar: If you have a Mac with a Touch Bar, you can use it to take screenshots. Simply press the designated button on the Touch Bar, and it will capture a screenshot of the entire screen.
6. Take timed screenshots: If you need to capture a screenshot after a specific delay, you can use the timed screenshot feature. To do this, press Shift-Command-5 and select the “Timed Screen” option.
7. Capture a specific window: If you want to capture a specific window on your Mac, you can use the Command-Shift-4 and then press the spacebar to select the window you want to capture.
8. Use the Grab app to capture a specific window: You can also use the Grab app to capture a specific window on your Mac. Simply open the app, go to the Capture menu, and select “Window.”
9. Capture a menu: If you need to capture a menu on your Mac, you can use the Command-Shift-4 and then press the Control key to capture the menu.
10. Use Siri: Finally, if you have a Mac with Siri, you can use it to take screenshots. Simply say “Take a screenshot,” and Siri will take a screenshot of the entire screen.
1. Using Keyboard Shortcuts to Take a Screenshot on Mac
Mac users can quickly and easily take a screenshot of their screen by using keyboard shortcuts. Here are the different types of screenshots you can take using this method:
- Full screen: To take a screenshot of your entire screen, press the Command + Shift + 3 keys at the same time. Once you do this, the screenshot will automatically save to your desktop as a .png file.
- Screen selection: To take a screenshot of a specific part of your screen, press the Command + Shift + 4 keys at the same time. Your cursor will turn into a crosshair. Click and drag over the area you want to capture, and release the mouse button when you’re done. The screenshot will also save to your desktop.
- Window: To take a screenshot of a specific window, press the Command + Shift + 4 keys at the same time, then hit the Spacebar. Your cursor will turn into a camera icon. Move the camera icon over the window you want to capture, and click. The screenshot will save to your desktop.
- Touch Bar: To take a screenshot of your touch bar, press Command + Shift + 6 keys at the same time.
2. Using Preview to Take a Screenshot on Mac
Mac users can also use Preview, a built-in app, to take screenshots of their screen. Here’s how to do it:
- Open Preview by searching for it in Spotlight.
- Click on “File” and select “Take Screenshot.”
- You’ll be presented with three options: Selection, Window, and Screen. Choose the one you want.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to take your screenshot.
- Once you’re done, you can edit your screenshot using Preview’s tools or save it to your desired location.
3. Using Third-Party Apps to Take a Screenshot on Mac
While Mac’s built-in screenshot options should be enough for most users, some people may require additional features or customization options. There are several third-party apps available that can take screenshots on a Mac, such as Snagit, Skitch, and ScreenFlow. Here’s a quick rundown of each:
| App Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Snagit | A powerful screen capture and recording tool that can capture anything on your screen. Features advanced editing and annotation tools. |
| Skitch | A simple and free screenshot tool that offers basic annotation tools. Great for quick and dirty screenshots. |
| ScreenFlow | A professional-grade screen recording and editing tool that can capture everything on your screen. Useful for people who need to create training videos or presentations. |
4. Choosing the Right File Format
When taking a screenshot on a Mac, you can choose to save your image in different file formats. The most common file formats are .png, .jpg, and .pdf. Here’s a quick breakdown of each:
- .png: This format is best if you need a high-quality image with transparency. It’s widely supported on the web and in most image editing tools.
- .jpg: This format is best if you need to compress your image to save space. It’s widely supported and is great for images with lots of detail or color.
- .pdf: This format is best if you need to capture a document or webpage. PDFs are widely supported and can be edited in most PDF editing tools.
5. Conclusion
Taking a screenshot on a Mac is a simple process that can be done using keyboard shortcuts, Preview, or third-party apps. Choose the method that works best for you and don’t forget to choose the right file format for your needs. With these tools, you’ll be able to capture and save important information quickly and easily.
That’s how to make a screenshot on Mac!
Congratulations, you made it to the end. I hope this article made your life a little easier. Now you know that taking a screenshot on Mac isn’t rocket science, but rather simple and straightforward. I enjoyed writing this piece for you, and I hope you learned something new. If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comment section. Thank you for reading, and don’t forget to visit again soon!

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