Your screenshot has the detail you need, plus a lot of space you don't want. You can trim it in Preview, crop it straight from the screenshot thumbnail, or use Quick Look for a quick edit. You can also capture just the right area next time and skip the extra cropping.
Crop an existing screenshot in Preview
Capturing more of the screen than you need leaves unwanted space around the detail you want to keep. Open the screenshot in Preview.
Click Show Markup Toolbar to reveal the editing controls, if the Markup toolbar isn't already showing. Then choose Rectangular Selection and drag a rectangle around the part you want to keep. The crop excludes everything outside that rectangle.
Click Crop to trim the image. Press Command-S to save. Want to keep the original too? Use the separate-copy method below before cropping it.
Use the thumbnail right after taking a screenshot
Just took the screenshot? On macOS Mojave 10.14 and later, clicking its floating thumbnail opens a window where you can mark up and crop it.
Click the floating screenshot thumbnail, then click Markup if the editing controls are hidden. Click Crop to bring up the crop frame, and drag the corner handles around the area you want to keep.
Click Crop to apply the change, then click Done to finish. If no thumbnail appears after a capture, press Shift-Command-5 to open Screenshot. Choose Options > Show Floating Thumbnail so it is checked. Your next captures will offer the thumbnail editing route.
Trim a saved screenshot with Quick Look
Select the screenshot in Finder or on your desktop, then press Space to open Quick Look. Click Markup to reveal the editing tools, then click Crop.
Adjust the frame around the area you want to keep, then click Crop to apply the edit. Click Done to finish. Use this route when you've already selected the file and want a quick trim.
Capture only the area you need
For a new screenshot, frame the area during capture to skip cropping afterward. Press Shift-Command-4 to start a selected-area screenshot, then drag across the area you want to capture. Hold Space while dragging to reposition the selection. Release to take the screenshot, or press Esc before completing the capture to cancel.
Keep the original and save a cropped copy
Preview’s clipboard method creates a cropped file while leaving the original intact. Open the original screenshot in Preview.
Click Show Markup Toolbar if the Markup toolbar isn't showing, then choose Rectangular Selection. Drag around the portion you want in the new image.
Choose Edit > Copy, then choose File > New from Clipboard. The new image contains only your selected area. Press Command-S to save the new image as a separate file.
Choose a square or custom crop in Photos
Photos offers crop ratios and automatic cropping, with an export step to save the result as a standalone file.
- 1.Drag the screenshot from Finder into Photos to import it.
- 2.Double-click the screenshot, then click Edit and Crop.
- 3.Drag the selection rectangle, choose a ratio such as Square or Custom, or click Auto for an automatic crop.
- 4.Click Done to finish editing.
- 5.Select the edited screenshot and choose File > Export > Export [number] Photos. Use this option for the cropped version; Export Unmodified Original exports the original image.
- 6.Choose a Photo Kind, such as PNG, then click Export. Select a destination and click Export again to save the standalone file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I capture a selected area straight to the clipboard?
Yes. Press Control-Shift-Command-4. Drag across the region and release. Paste the capture into an app that accepts images. This skips creating a full-screen screenshot file.
How do I capture just one window without its shadow?
Press Shift-Command-4, then Space. Hold Option while clicking the window to capture it without the shadow. Some apps restrict capture of their windows.
Can I get more precision when cropping in Preview?
Yes. In Preview, choose Tools > Show Inspector > Crop Inspector for a precision aid while cropping.
Can my Mac remember the same screenshot area for next time?
Yes. Press Shift-Command-5. Select the portion-capture tool and adjust the frame. Enable Options > Remember Last Selection to reuse the framing. Click Capture to take the screenshot.