How to Take a Screenshot
How to take a screenshot on Mac, Windows, and in your browser — built-in shortcuts first, then why a dedicated browser extension is the best way to capture web pages.
Taking a screenshot should be the simplest thing you do on a computer. Yet most people still fumble with keyboard shortcuts, paste into image editors, and save files with meaningless names. This guide covers every method — from built-in tools to extensions that turn screenshots into an organized library.
macOS: Built-in shortcuts
Apple includes screenshot tools in every Mac. No installation required.
| Shortcut | What it captures | |----------|-----------------| | Cmd + Shift + 3 | Full screen | | Cmd + Shift + 4 | Selected region | | Cmd + Shift + 4, then Space | Specific window | | Cmd + Shift + 5 | Full toolbar (screen recording too) |
Where the file goes: By default, screenshots save to your Desktop as Screen Shot [date] at [time].png.
Copy to clipboard instead: Hold Control while pressing any shortcut above. The screenshot goes to your clipboard instead of saving as a file. Paste with Cmd + V.
Windows: Built-in shortcuts
| Shortcut | What it captures | |----------|-----------------| | Win + Shift + S | Snipping Tool (region, window, full screen) | | PrtScn | Full screen to clipboard | | Win + PrtScn | Full screen, saved to Pictures > Screenshots | | Alt + PrtScn | Active window to clipboard |
Browser: Webpage screenshots
Chrome Native
- Open Developer Tools (Cmd/Ctrl + Option/Shift + J).
- Press Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P.
- Type "screenshot" and choose:
- Capture full size screenshot — entire page, including below the fold.
- Capture screenshot — visible area only.
The problem with built-in tools
Built-in shortcuts work. But they are designed for occasional use, not for people who live and breathe screenshots. If you take 10+ screenshots a day, you will notice:
- Files clutter your Desktop or Downloads folder.
- Capturing a full scrolling webpage is tedious or requires developer tools.
- Editing requires opening Preview or another app.
- Finding an old screenshot means scrolling through hundreds of files.
The better way: Supashot Chrome Extension
If you work primarily in your browser, your screenshot tool should too.
Supashot is built around a simple idea: your screenshots are a visual memory, and capturing them from the web should be frictionless.
How it works:
- Hit Alt + S — Capture region, visible tab, or a full scrolling page.
- Auto-saved to your library — No Desktop clutter. No file names to manage.
- Edit if needed — Crop, blur sensitive info, or add arrows. Or just copy and close.
- Search later — Filter your timeline by website domain instantly.
Quick tips for better screenshots
- Clean your desktop — Hide icons before full-screen captures. On Mac, right-click Desktop > Use Stacks.
- Use a solid wallpaper — Busy wallpapers distract from what you are trying to show.
- Blur sensitive info — Emails, API keys, and personal data should be obscured before sharing.
- Annotate immediately — Add arrows and text while the context is fresh in your mind.
Need to hide private details?
Use our free Pixelate Image tool to blur, pixelate, or redact sensitive information, API keys, or personal data on your screenshots before sharing them.
Compress your screenshots instantly
Reduce the file size of your screenshots for fast sharing on Slack or Email. Runs 100% locally in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
How do I take a screenshot on a Mac?
Press Cmd + Shift + 3 for the full screen, Cmd + Shift + 4 for a region, or Cmd + Shift + 5 for the screenshot toolbar. Add Control to copy to the clipboard instead of saving a file.
How do I take a screenshot on Windows?
Win + Shift + S opens the Snipping Tool for a region or window. Win + PrtScn saves a full-screen capture to Pictures → Screenshots.
What is the best way to take screenshots on the web?
Use a dedicated browser extension that auto-saves every capture, includes a quick editor, and lets you capture full scrolling pages. That is what Supashot is built for — one hotkey, no Desktop clutter, find anything later.
Ready to stop losing screenshots? Install the free screenshot tool Chrome extension to capture, annotate, and copy snapshots instantly from any browser window.