What are the keyboard shortcuts for screenshots on macOS?

Last updated: 2026-10-15

The four shortcuts are Shift-Command-3 (entire screen), Shift-Command-4 (selected area), Shift-Command-4 then Space (a window), and Shift-Command-5 (open the Screenshot app).

All four are built into macOS and free to use; captures save to the desktop by default (Apple Support).

FAQ

Do these shortcuts work on every Mac?
Shift-Command-5 requires macOS Mojave (10.14) or later; Shift-Command-3 and Shift-Command-4 work on older versions too (Apple Support).

Sources

Take a screenshot on your Mac — Apple Support

This is an independent guide based on public documentation. We are not affiliated with Apple. Product details change — the official docs are the source of truth.