How-to / Screenshots
How to screenshot part of the screen on Mac
Press Shift Command 4 and drag. Plus the hidden tricks to move, resize and reuse a selection, capture a window and copy to the clipboard.
A partial screenshot captures only the area you select, not the whole screen. On a Mac, press the 3 keys Shift, Command, 4 together, drag over the area you want, and let go (Apple Support). The screenshot saves to your desktop. Add Control to copy it to the clipboard instead.
Here are the extra moves that make selection much faster.
Screenshot a selected area
- Press Shift, Command, 4. The pointer turns into a crosshair.
- Click and drag over the area.
- Release to capture. Press Esc to cancel.
Source: Apple Support: Take a screenshot on Mac.
Adjust the selection while dragging
Keep the mouse or trackpad button held down, then:
- Hold Space to move the whole selection without changing its size.
- Hold Shift to lock one edge, so you only resize in one direction.
- Hold Option to resize from the centre.
- Press Esc to cancel.
Screenshot a window or menu
Press Shift, Command, 4, then press Space. The pointer becomes a camera. Click a window or open menu to capture it. Hold Option while you click to leave out the window's shadow.
Use the Screenshot toolbar for a precise area
Press Shift, Command, 5 and choose Capture Selected Portion. Drag the frame or its edges, then click Capture. Turn on Options > Remember Last Selection to reuse the same area next time, which is handy for before and after shots (Mac User Guide).
Copy instead of saving
Press Control, Shift, Command, 4, select the area, then paste with Command, V into a message, document or email.
Where the screenshot goes
Screenshots save to your desktop as PNG files named "Screenshot" with the date and time. Change the folder in Shift, Command, 5 > Options > Save to. Click the floating thumbnail to mark up or crop the image before it saves.
When you need more than a selection
If the part you want is longer than the screen, use a scrolling screenshot. If you are coming from Windows, my Snipping Tool for Mac guide maps every shortcut. For the other capture keys, see my Mac screenshot shortcuts guide.
Disclosure: Znip is the app I build. Znip captures an area, a window or the full screen, then opens it in an editor to annotate, blur private details and copy or share. It is in invite-only beta for Apple silicon Macs on macOS 15 or later. For other apps, see the best CleanShot X alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
What is the shortcut to screenshot part of the screen on Mac?
Shift, Command, 4, then drag. Add Control to copy it to the clipboard.
How do I move the selection before I let go?
Hold the Space bar while dragging.
How do I take the same area again?
Open Shift, Command, 5, choose Capture Selected Portion and turn on Remember Last Selection.
Why is my partial screenshot not saving?
Check the Save to location in Shift, Command, 5 > Options, and that you are not holding Control, which copies to the clipboard instead.