Snipping Tool Mac: How to Screenshot on macOS

Many Windows users search for Snipping Tool on Mac after switching to macOS, but they cannot find the app because Mac does not use the same tool name. Instead of Snipping Tool, macOS includes a built-in Screenshot / Screen Capture tool that lets you capture the entire screen, a window, or a selected area using keyboard shortcuts.

Apple built this feature directly into macOS, so you do not need to install any extra software to take screenshots. You can open the screenshot toolbar instantly and choose the exact type of capture you need.

What Is Snipping Tool on Mac?

Mac does not have the Windows Snipping Tool app, but it has a built-in screenshot tool called Screenshot / Screen Capture.

You can use it to:

• Capture full screen
• Capture selected area
• Capture a window
• Record screen
• Save screenshots automatically

The tool opens using keyboard shortcuts instead of an app icon.

How to Open Snipping Tool on Mac

Press:

Shift + Command + 5

This opens the Screenshot toolbar.

From here you can choose different capture options, including full screen, selected area, and screen recording.

How to Screenshot Selected Area on Mac (Snipping Tool Style)

Press:

Shift + Command + 4

Your cursor becomes a crosshair.

Steps:

1. Press Shift + Command + 4
2. Drag mouse to select area
3. Release mouse to capture
4. Screenshot saves automatically

This method works exactly like Windows Snipping Tool.

How to Screenshot Entire Screen on Mac

Press:

Shift + Command + 3

Mac captures the whole screen and saves the image on the desktop.

Use this method when you need full screen capture.

How to Screenshot One Window on Mac

Press:

Shift + Command + 4 → Space

Steps:

1. Press Shift + Command + 4
2. Press Space bar
3. Click the window
4. Screenshot saves automatically

This captures only the selected window.

How to Use Screenshot Toolbar on Mac

Press:

Shift + Command + 5

You will see these options:

• Capture entire screen
• Capture selected window
• Capture selected portion
• Record entire screen
• Record selected portion
• Options (timer, save location, cursor)

You can also change where screenshots are saved.

Where Screenshots Are Saved on Mac

By default, macOS saves screenshots to:

Desktop

You can change this from the toolbar:

Options → Save to → Select folder

Best Snipping Tool Alternatives for Mac

The built-in tool works for basic screenshots, but some users need more features.

Popular alternatives:

• Snagit – advanced editing and recording
• Lightshot – quick screenshots
• Monosnap – capture + cloud sharing
• TextSniper – extract text from image
• Greenshot – lightweight snipping tool

Third-party tools offer annotation, cloud storage, and better editing features.

Why Mac Does Not Have Snipping Tool

Windows uses a separate Snipping Tool app. Mac uses built-in screenshot shortcuts instead.

This design makes screenshots faster because you can capture without opening any app.

Mac does not include the Windows Snipping Tool, but the built-in Screenshot tool provides the same features and more. You can capture the entire screen, selected area, or window using simple keyboard shortcuts like Shift + Command + 4 or Shift + Command + 5.

If you need advanced editing, screen recording, or annotations, you can install third-party snipping tools. For most users, the built-in macOS screenshot tool is enough for daily use.