How to take a screenshot on Mac (Window, Menu, Touch Bar)

We sometimes find ourselves in a situation where we need to take a screenshot on our computer.

Maybe we want to create a meme, send our friends a screenshot of a web page with some information or simply want to learn how to do it. Apple has made this very simple to use and remember. 

You can capture your entire screen or just a selected portion of it. The screenshot is automatically saved to your desktop.

How to take a screenshot of your entire screen

In order to take a screenshot of your entire screen including the top menu:

1. Press Shift-Command (⌘)-3.
2. Find the screenshot as a .png file on your desktop.

How to take a screenshot of a selected portion of your screen

If you would like to take a screenshot of a portion of your Mac screen:

1. Press Shift–Command–4. The pointer changes to a crosshair.
2. Move the crosshair to where you want to start the screenshot, then drag to select an area.
   While dragging, you can hold Shift, Option, or Space bar to change the way the selection moves.
   
3. When you’ve selected the area you want, release your mouse or trackpad button. To cancel, press the Esc(Escape) key before you release the button.
4. Find the screenshot as a .png file on your desktop.

How to take a screenshot of a window

If you would like to take a screenshot of a window follow these steps:

1. Press Shift–Command–4. The pointer changes to a crosshair.
2. Press the Space bar. The pointer changes to a camera.
3. Move the camera over a window to highlight it.
4. Click your mouse or trackpad. To cancel, press the Esc (Escape) key before you click.
5. Find the screenshot as a .png file on your desktop.

This works with windows in the Finder and most apps.

How to take a screenshot of a menu

To take a screenshot of a menu on your Mac:

1. Click the menu to reveal its contents.
2. Press Shift–Command–4. The pointer changes to a crosshair.
3. Drag to select the menu.
4. Release your mouse or trackpad button. To cancel, press the Escape (Esc) key before you release the button.
5. Find the screenshot as a .png file on your desktop.

These steps capture the contents of a menu, but not its title:

1. Click the menu to reveal its contents.
2. Press Shift–Command–4. The pointer changes to a crosshair.
3. Press the Space bar. The pointer changes to a camera.
4. Move the camera over the menu to highlight it.
5. Click your mouse or trackpad. To cancel, press the Esc (Escape) key before you click.
6. Find the screenshot as a .png file on your desktop.

How to take a screenshot of the Touch Bar

If you have a Mac with a Touch Bar and macOS Sierra 10.12.2 or later:

1. Press Shift–Command–6.
2. Find the screenshot as a .png file on your desktop.

These are the best ways to take screenshots of your Mac screen.