How to Screenshot a Specific Area on Mac 4 Easy methods

You don’t know? how to screenshot a specific area on Mac, then you’ve come to the right place. Capturing screenshots of specific areas can be incredibly useful for various purposes, from highlighting important details to troubleshooting.

Fortunately, Mac provides several simple methods to achieve this. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of capturing screenshots of specific areas on your Mac, ensuring you can effortlessly save the content you need.

What is the difference between a screenshot and a photo?

The main difference between a screenshot and a photo lies in their origin and purpose. A screenshot is an image captured from a device’s screen, typically used to capture and share information displayed on the screen.

On the other hand, a photo is an image taken with a camera, capturing real-world scenes or subjects. While both serve as visual representations, screenshots are digital snapshots of screens, while photos capture real-world moments or objects.

How to Screenshot a Specific Area on Mac

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut – Command + Shift + 4

The easiest way to screenshot a specific area on your Mac is by using the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + 4. This handy shortcut allows you to precisely capture the content you want. 

Follow these steps :

Press and hold the Command key and the Shift key at the same time.

Your cursor will transform into a crosshair, enabling you to select the desired area to screenshot.

Click and drag the crosshair to create a selection box around the specific area you wish to capture.

Release the mouse button or trackpad to take a screenshot of the designated area.

Method 2: Additional Options with Command + Shift + 4

The Command + Shift + 4 shortcut not only allows you to screenshot a specific area but also provides additional options to enhance your screenshot-taking experience. Let’s explore these options:

After pressing Command + Shift + 4, create a selection box around the desired area by dragging the crosshair.

While still holding the mouse button or trackpad, you can use the following actions to enhance your screenshot:

a) Press and release the space bar: This action transforms the crosshair into a camera icon, enabling you to capture a screenshot of a specific window. Simply move the camera icon over the desired window and click to capture it. The resulting screenshot will feature a white border with a subtle drop shadow, making it stand out.

b) Press and hold the space bar (after selecting an area but before releasing the mouse button or trackpad): Holding down the space bar allows you to lock the shape and size of the selected area while repositioning it on the screen. This is particularly useful if you need to make slight adjustments before finalizing the screenshot.

c) Hold down the Shift key (after selecting an area but before releasing the mouse button or trackpad): By holding down the Shift key, you can lock the sides of the selected area created by the crosshair, except for the bottom edge. This feature allows you to adjust the position of the bottom edge by moving your mouse up or down direction.

To reposition the right edge of the areas, release the Shift key while keeping the mouse button engaged, and then press the Shift key again. Toggling between adjusting the bottom edge and right edge is as simple as pressing the Shift key repeatedly while the mouse button or touchpad is active.

Method 3: Using the Screenshot App – Grab

Another method to screenshot a specific area on your Mac is by utilizing the Grab application. Although it requires a few more steps, Grab offers additional features. 

Follow these steps use it:

Open the Grab application.

Once Grab is open, navigate to the Capture menu at the top of the screen in the menu bar.

Select the “Selection” option from the drop-down menu to activate the crosshair cursor.

Click and drag the cursor to create a selection box around the specific area you want to screenshot.

Release the mouse button or trackpad to capture the screenshot.

After capturing the screenshot, a new Grab window will open, displaying the captured image. From here, you can save the screenshot to your preferred location.

Method 4: Utilizing the Screenshot Toolbar – macOS Mojave and later versions.

If you’re using macOS Mojave or a later version, you have the advantage of the convenient screenshot toolbar. This toolbar streamlines the process of capturing screenshots, including specific areas. Follow these steps to use it:

Press the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + 5 to summon the screenshot toolbar at the bottom of your screen.

In the toolbar, you’ll find several options for capturing screenshots. To screenshot a specific area, choose either the “Capture Selected Portion” button or the “Capture Selected Window” button.

Select the option, and follow the instructions to capture the screenshot of the specific area.

Conclusion

Learn How to Screenshot a Specific Area on Mac familiar with the available methods. Whether you prefer using keyboard shortcuts like Command + Shift + 4, leveraging the Grab application, or taking advantage of the screenshot toolbar in newer macOS versions, you have multiple options to suit your preferences. 

So go ahead and start capturing those precise screenshots effortlessly, saving valuable content and enhancing your productivity along the way.

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