So you want to know how to screenshot on Mac, right? Means you’ve only recently switched to Mac from Windows. Let me just tell you that the process is quite simple once you get it.
The question is very simple. How to screenshot on Mac? So the simple answer is press down Command, Shift, and 3 all at once. But there are other options as well because the question can and does get complicated. So how about I discuss the different ways of taking the different screenshots?
All the methods listed below work on macOS and Mac OS X. I have also covered the new additional Mojave features by the way.
Screenshots, by default, get saved on the desktop. But, obviously, you can change this location. Another general rule is the .png format of the saved screenshots. And once again, you can open the image in a viewing program to change it to .jpg, .jpeg, or any other extension.
Now, let’s get to the point right away!
How to Screenshot on Mac – Whole Screen
Press down Command, Shift, and 3 together. You’ll hear a camera shutter-like sound.
Then go to your desktop and find the screenshot.
But what if you don’t want to screenshot the whole thing? What if you want to capture only a small or large part of the screen? You can do that as well (below).
How to Screenshot on Mac – Part of the Screen
Press down Command, Shift, and 4 all at once. This is when you’ll spot a cross with numbers on the screen.
Drag the crosshairs across the part you wish to screenshot. So the rectangle forms around that region. Then press your Mac trackpad or click the button on your mouse to diagonally drag from bottom right to top left. Or the other way around!
Once the area is covered with the rectangle, release the trackpad or mouse button. This takes the screenshot.
Find the captured image on your desktop after that. But here’s an important tip you might find very useful. Once you see the crosshairs, you should leave your keyboard keys. When you click that mouse button to start dragging, then press the Space button.
This way you’ll be able to move around the selected part of the image. Hold Shift to move the area horizontally.
Here’s another piece of very useful advice. You can always press Escape for aborting the grab. No image is going to be captured or generated then.
How to Screenshot on Mac – Screenshot of a Specific Size
In the above section, I’ve talked about crosshairs and the numbers that come along with it. These numbers are pixels; 1073 pixels x 660 pixels.
When you click and begin dragging that selection window, numbers show. This is very useful if you want to add your own pixels to get a screenshot of a particular size. For example, 800 pixels x 450 pixels. Or a square for that matter.
So if that’s what you want to do, follow the instructions below.
Press down Command, Shift, and 4 together. When those crosshairs appear, adjust the frame depending on how much depth and width you need.
Once sized as per your requirements, press Space. But don’t release the trackpad or mouse button just yet. Move that box around to cover the part of the image for the screenshot. And then feel free to release the trackpad or mouse button.
How to Screenshot on Mac – Same-Sized Multiple Images
Do you often find yourself using images of one particular size? Then you’ll be glad to know that you can set up the crosshairs well in advance. Here’s how.
Press down Command, Shift, and 5. Then drag the visible crosshairs for covering the area that gives you the desired pixel depth and width.
At this point, don’t worry about not being able to grab the exact screenshot space. You should know that you do get the opportunity for moving that box even after releasing your trackpad or mouse button.
Happy with your selection? Now click capture!
How to Screenshot on Mac – Screenshot of Window (with shadow)
Start by holding down Command, Shift, and 4. Wait for the crosshairs to appear, then press Space.
Position that cursor over the highlighted window and press/click the trackpad/mouse button. This is when the camera icon shows and the window turns grey.
Now select the window and click the mouse. This captures and saves the window screenshot (with shadow) on the desktop.
How to Screenshot on Mac – Screenshot of Window (without shadow)
Press down Command, Shift, and 4.
Right when those crosshairs appear, know that it’s time for holding down Alt or Option. Then you press Space and Alt.
After that, position your cursor over the highlighted window and then click. This is what captures the window screenshot without shadow. You’ll find it on the desktop saved in the .png format.
The thing about this method is that you’re adding the key Alt or Option. It’s what eliminates the shadow.
How to Screenshot on Mac – Dropdown Menu
You can employ the same method to take a screenshot of your dropdown menu.
Press down Command, Shift, and 4 together. Then press Space once crosshairs appear.
Now place the cursor over the dropdown menu, followed by a left-click.
After this, find the dropdown menu screenshot on the desktop. This screenshot doesn’t include the title present at the dropdown top by the way. So for capturing that, use Command, Shift, and 4 and then judge your selection with your eyes.
How to Screenshot on Mac – Timed Screenshots
How do you take timed screenshots in Mojave?
Press down Command, Shift, and 5. Then click Options.
Under the Timer, select 5-10 seconds. Now choose what type of screengrab you’re interested in taking. Your options are selected portion, selected window, and the entire screen.
Then the timer begins. Once it reaches zero, the screenshot is taken.
Now you know how to take screenshots of an image you want to control. You obviously cannot focus on or perform 2 tasks at a single time. So this means setting up the screenshot with the help of the timer feature. And then carrying on with the task you wish to capture as that screenshot.
But if you’re using the older version of Mac OS X or macOS, simply opt for the Grab option.
Hold Command and Space and begin typing Grab. You can even search for it in your Applications – Utilities folder.
Open Grab, then click on the capture screen button to select timed screen. Start the timer.
The dial begins to count down. And then at 0, grabs the whole screen. You can obviously edit this screenshot later on whatever photo editing application you like.
How to Screenshot on Mac – Screenshot as TIFF or JPEG in Mojave
How about you’re not interested in converting the .png-formatted screenshot image into .jpeg! So is there a way to skip this step altogether? Yes, the answer is yes.
Hold down Space + Command and type Terminal.
Then open Terminal and paste the following: defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg
After that, press return. Restart the Mac for the changes to take effect.
You even get the opportunity to save the shots as TIFF or PNG.
Open Grab. On Capture, choose the type of screenshot.
Once chosen, the shutter sound is heard and screengrab appears. After that, you get to decide the location and name of the image.
Now you’re all set to take any screenshot on your Mac!
The screenshots, by default, get saved on desktop. So that’s where you’ll find them.
When using Mojave, you can select other locations too. In fact, it even gives you the option to edit your saved screenshots.
In all, the process might seem a bit difficult at first. But the number of times it takes to get the hang of the task is only ONE. Yes, that’s true. Just understand the steps once, and you’re good to go.
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