Need to save something on your Chromebook screen but aren't sure which keys to press? One shortcut captures the whole display, while the built-in toolbar handles selected areas, individual windows, and recordings. Start with the capture you need, then find, copy, or edit the result.
Capture your whole screen instantly
Use this shortcut when you want everything visible on your display, including content outside your browser window.
Press Ctrl + Show windows to take the screenshot. That's the whole job.
For more capture options, press Ctrl + Shift + Show windows to open the toolbar.
If your Chromebook has a dedicated Screenshot key, press it to open the same toolbar.
Grab just an area or window
A selected-area or window screenshot leaves the surrounding screen out of your capture.
Press Ctrl + Shift + Show windows to open the capture toolbar.
Select Screenshot.
Choose Take partial screenshot.
Drag across the area you want to save.
Adjust the selection to include the content you need.
Select Capture.
For a single application window instead, choose Take window screenshot in the toolbar.
Select the window you want to capture.
To jump straight into window-screenshot mode, press Ctrl + Alt + Show windows.
Select the window to take the screenshot.
Use an external keyboard or Quick settings
An external keyboard without a Show windows key needs a different capture shortcut.
Press Ctrl + Shift + F5 to open Screen capture.
Select Screenshot.
Choose Take full screen screenshot, Take partial screenshot, or Take window screenshot. For full-screen capture, click the screen; the area and window controls work as described above.
Another option during a signed-in session is to press Print Screen on an external keyboard that sends that key event. It opens the toolbar, so you still need to choose your capture.
To open the controls without a keyboard, select the time at the bottom right.
Select Screen capture.
For keyboard access to Quick settings, press Alt + Shift + s.
Record a video of your screen
Use the built-in recorder to show an action, with audio and camera options available before you start.
- 1.Press Ctrl + Shift + Show windows to open Screen capture.
- 2.Select Screen record.
- 3.Open Settings to configure Audio input: Off, Microphone, Device audio, or Device audio and microphone. Select Camera to choose a connected camera. Enable Show clicks and keys to make your inputs visible.
- 4.Choose the full-screen, partial-screen, or window icon.
- 5.For full-screen recording, click the screen. For a selected area, drag a region and select Record video. For a window recording, select the window. To make an animated GIF instead, select a region in partial-screen mode and choose Record GIF; GIF captures exclude audio and camera input.
- 6.Select Stop recording to finish. You can also stop a video recording with Search + Shift + X.
Find, copy, and save your captures
Screenshots and recordings save to Downloads by default. To change that, open Screen capture → Settings → Save to → Select folder.... Choose your destination folder.
Select Tote near the clock to access recent captures. Select a capture's thumbnail to open it.
To copy a screenshot, right-click its image under Screen captures and select Copy image. Paste it into your destination. You can also drag the captured file there.
For a quick edit after taking a screenshot, select Edit in its notification. To discard the screenshot, select Delete.
Save a scrolling webpage
Chrome's full-size capture includes webpage content below the visible screen; ordinary full-screen screenshots capture only what's visible, and this webpage method doesn't capture an entire scrolling Android app.
- 1.Open the webpage in Chrome.
- 2.Press Ctrl + Shift + i to open DevTools.
- 3.Select Toggle device toolbar.
- 4.Open More options.
- 5.Select Capture full size screenshot.
Take a capture with tablet buttons or a stylus
Using your Chromebook without its keyboard? Chromebook tablets and compatible convertibles in tablet mode support capture with their hardware buttons.
Press Power and Volume down simultaneously to take a screenshot.
For capture controls on a compatible tablet, press and hold Power.
Select Screen capture from the power menu.
On a supported stylus-equipped touchscreen Chromebook, select the Stylus icon on the shelf.
Select Screen capture.
In either toolbar, choose Screenshot or Screen record.
Select the capture scope using the area, window, or full-screen controls described above.
Check keyboard settings when shortcuts fail
Function-key settings affect capture shortcuts. Open Settings → Device → Keyboard and inputs.
Open your keyboard's settings.
For the built-in keyboard, check Treat top-row keys as function keys.
For an external keyboard, check Convert F keys to ChromeOS top-row keys. Available settings depend on the connected keyboard, and some keyboards require Fn for function-key shortcuts.
Work and school administrators control screenshot and recording availability, as well as capture destinations. Protected content also has capture restrictions.
If the shortcut still fails, select the time at the bottom right. Select Screen capture to use the toolbar. If capture is restricted on your work or school device, contact your administrator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I resize a selected screenshot area with the keyboard?
Yes. In partial capture, press Space to change the selection. Press Tab to select a corner handle. Use the arrow keys to resize it, then press Enter to capture.
What format does the Chromebook screen recorder use?
Native video recordings use WebM.
Can I take a screenshot from Chrome's menu?
Yes. In Chrome on ChromeOS, select More (⋮) → More tools → Take screenshot. This takes an immediate screenshot of the displays.
Can I assign my own screenshot shortcut?
Yes. Open Shortcuts → General. Hover over the screenshot action and select Edit → Add shortcut. Press and release your new key combination, then select Done. Use that combination to capture. Only actions without a Lock icon can be changed.