DeviceHowTo
macOS⏱ 1 min

How to Take a Partial Screenshot on macOS

Capture only the area you need instead of the full screen.

Last verified: February 21, 2026

macOS gives you precise partial capture through Command + Shift + 4, which replaces the standard cursor with a pixel-accurate crosshair the moment you press the shortcut. Dragging with the crosshair selects any rectangular area, and pressing Space mid-selection switches to window-capture mode where you can click any open window for a clean capture with a drop shadow. Holding the Spacebar while dragging lets you reposition the selection rectangle before releasing, making it easy to nail the exact crop without taking multiple attempts.

Quick Steps

Follow in order for the fastest result.

  1. 1Press Command + Shift + 4. The cursor changes to a crosshair. Drag over the region you want to capture.
  2. 2Release to capture. The image copies to clipboard and a preview appears for light editing.
  3. 3Click the notification to annotate or paste directly into email, docs, or messaging apps.

Still Not Working?

Try these if the steps above didn't help.

Verify the Fix

Confirm everything is fully working before closing this guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I screenshot only part of the screen on macOS?
Press Command + Shift + 4. The cursor becomes a crosshair. Drag to select any rectangular area, or press Space to capture a specific window.
Can I capture a specific window on macOS?
Yes. Press Command + Shift + 4 then press Space. The cursor becomes a camera — click any window to capture it with a drop shadow.
How do I screenshot a scrolling page on macOS?
Safari can capture full-page screenshots from the Web Inspector. In other browsers, use the built-in DevTools > Capture full size screenshot option.
Does macOS automatically copy partial screenshots to clipboard?
Not by default — they save to the Desktop. Add the Control key to any screenshot shortcut (e.g. Command + Ctrl + Shift + 4) to copy to clipboard instead of saving.

Same task, different device

Windows 11Windows 10iPhone (iOS)iPad (iPadOS)Samsung GalaxyGoogle PixelChromebook

Related guides for macOS

Take a Screenshot

Capture your full screen or a selected region using built-in shortcuts.

Record Your Screen

Start a native screen recording without installing third-party software.

Clear Cache

Remove cached data to fix loading errors and reclaim disk space.

Uninstall Apps

Remove apps you no longer use to free up storage and improve performance.