How To Crop A Screenshot On A Mac? [Solution] 2024

How to Crop a Screenshot on a Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide

Cropping a screenshot on a Mac is a useful skill to have, especially when you want to focus on a specific part of the image or remove any unnecessary elements. Mac computers offer built-in tools that allow you to easily crop screenshots without the need for any additional software. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to crop a screenshot on a Mac, so you can efficiently edit and enhance your screenshots.

If you’re wondering how to crop a screenshot on a Mac, you’ll be delighted to know that the process is straightforward. Mac computers come with a default application called “Preview,” which allows you to view and edit images, including screenshots. With Preview, you can crop, resize, rotate, and make other adjustments to your screenshots effortlessly.

In the next few paragraphs, we will walk you through the process of cropping a screenshot on a Mac using Preview, so you can master this essential skill and take your image editing abilities to the next level.

Step 1: Take a Screenshot on your Mac

The first step in cropping a screenshot on a Mac is to capture the image you want to crop. Mac computers offer different methods for taking screenshots, depending on the specific area or content you want to capture. Here are some common options:

Option 1: Capture the Entire Screen

To capture the entire screen on your Mac, simply press the Command + Shift + 3 keys simultaneously. This will instantly take a screenshot, and the image file will be saved on your desktop with a name that includes the date and time of capture. It’s worth noting that this method captures all visible elements on your screen, including the desktop background and any open windows or applications.

Option 2: Capture a Selected Portion of the Screen

If you only want to capture a specific portion of your screen, you can use the Command + Shift + 4 keys combination. This will change your cursor to a crosshair pointer, allowing you to click and drag to select the portion of the screen you want to capture. Once you release the mouse button, the screenshot will be taken, and the image file will appear on your desktop.

Option 3: Capture a Window or Menu

If you want to capture a specific window or menu on your screen, press the Command + Shift + 4 + Space bar keys simultaneously. Your cursor will turn into a camera pointer, and you can hover over the window or menu you want to capture. Clicking on it will take the screenshot, and the image file will be saved on your desktop.

Now that you know how to take screenshots on a Mac, let’s move on to the next step in cropping your screenshot using the Preview application.

Step 2: Open the Screenshot in Preview

After capturing the screenshot, locate the image file on your desktop and double-click on it. This will open the screenshot in the Preview application, which is the default image viewer on Mac computers.

If the captured screenshot is not saved on your desktop, you can navigate to the appropriate location where it was saved and open it with Preview.

Step 3: Select the Crop Tool

Once the screenshot is open in Preview, you can begin the cropping process. To do this, click on the “Show Markup Toolbar” button in the top-right corner of the Preview window. It looks like a square with a pencil inside. This will reveal a set of editing tools, including the Crop tool.

Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Command + K to access the Crop tool directly.

Step 4: Crop the Screenshot

With the Crop tool selected, you can now define the area you want to crop. Click and drag the cursor to create a selection rectangle around the desired portion of the screenshot. You can also adjust the size and position of the selection by dragging the handles or moving it around.

Once you are satisfied with the selection, click on the “Crop” button in the toolbar. This will remove everything outside of the selected area, effectively cropping the screenshot.

If you made a mistake or want to start over, you can use the Edit menu in Preview to undo or redo your actions.

Step 5: Save the Cropped Screenshot

After cropping the screenshot, you can save the edited image file. To do this, go to the “File” menu in Preview and select “Save” or “Save As.” Choose a location on your computer where you want to save the cropped screenshot, and click “Save.”

By following these steps, you have successfully cropped a screenshot on your Mac using the Preview application. It’s a simple yet powerful tool that allows you to make precise edits to your screenshots without the need for additional software.