How to Crop a Screenshot on Mac

Taking screenshots on your Mac can be a highly useful tool for a variety of tasks, from capturing important information to saving content from websites. However, there are times when you need to know  how  to crop a screenshot on Mac to remove unnecessary parts of the image, highlight a specific area, or focus on a particular section. In this article, we’ll walk you through several ways to crop a screenshot on Mac, the tools available to you, and the best practices to get the most out of your screenshots.

Why Crop a Screenshot on Mac?

Cropping a screenshot on Mac can be useful for a variety of reasons:

• Focus on Important Information: Sometimes, a screenshot may capture more than you need. Cropping it allows you to zoom in on the most critical areas of the image.
• Remove Unwanted Content: You may want to remove parts of the screenshot, such as advertisements, toolbars, or irrelevant content.
• Share Precise Details: By cropping a screenshot, you can highlight the important sections before sharing them with others.
• Enhance Visual Appeal: Cropping can help improve the aesthetic of your screenshots, especially when you’re creating visuals for presentations or social media.

Now that you know why cropping a screenshot is essential, let’s dive into the different methods for cropping a screenshot on your Mac.

How to Crop a Screenshot on Mac Using Preview

One of the easiest ways to crop a screenshot on Mac is by using the built-in Preview app. Preview allows you to quickly open and edit your screenshots without needing any third-party applications. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Take a Screenshot
   First, take a screenshot on your Mac. You can do this by pressing:

   • Command + Shift + 3 to capture the entire screen.
   • Command + Shift + 4 to capture a selected portion of the screen.
   • Command + Shift + 5 to open the screenshot toolbar, giving you more options to capture specific areas.

2. Open the Screenshot in Preview
   Once you’ve taken the screenshot, it will typically be saved to your desktop. Double-click the screenshot to open it in Preview.

3. Select the Area to Crop
   In Preview, click the selection tool (the rectangular selection tool from the toolbar) and drag it around the area you want to keep. This will highlight the portion of the screenshot you want to keep.

4. Crop the Screenshot
   After selecting the area, go to the Tools menu at the top and select Crop. The screenshot will now be cropped to the selected area.

5. Save the Cropped Screenshot
   Once you’re happy with the cropped image, go to File > Save to save the changes. You can also use File > Export if you want to save the image in a different format.

Using Preview is one of the simplest ways to crop a screenshot on Mac. It’s quick and doesn’t require any additional software or plugins.

How to Crop a Screenshot on Mac with the Photos App

If you prefer managing your images through the Photos app, cropping a screenshot there is just as simple. Here’s how to crop a screenshot on Mac using the Photos app:

1. Take a Screenshot
   As with the Preview method, start by taking a screenshot using the keyboard shortcuts mentioned earlier.

2. Open Photos
   After taking the screenshot, open the Photos app. If your screenshot is not automatically added, simply drag it into the Photos library.

3. Select the Screenshot
   Browse your library and click on the screenshot you want to crop.

4. Edit the Screenshot
   Click the Edit button in the upper-right corner of the Photos window. This opens up the editing tools.

5. Crop the Screenshot
   Click the Crop tool from the editing menu. You’ll now be able to adjust the crop by dragging the corners of the image to select the portion you want to keep.

6. Save the Cropped Screenshot
   Once you’re satisfied with the crop, click Done to save the changes.

The Photos app provides an easy-to-use interface for cropping screenshots, especially if you organize your images through the app.

How to Crop a Screenshot on Mac Using Third-Party Apps

If you’re looking for more advanced cropping features or additional editing tools, third-party apps can provide a more robust experience. Here are a few popular apps for cropping screenshots on Mac:

1. Skitch

Skitch is a free app that integrates seamlessly with your Mac and allows you to take and crop screenshots. It’s part of the Evernote suite, so you can easily share cropped images to Evernote or other platforms.

To crop a screenshot on Mac using Skitch:

1. Take a screenshot using the keyboard shortcuts.
2. Open the screenshot in Skitch.
3. Use the cropping tool to select the portion you want to keep.
4. Save or share the cropped screenshot directly from Skitch.

2. Snagit

Snagit is a paid screenshot tool that provides powerful features, including advanced cropping options. It allows you to capture scrolling windows, add annotations, and perform complex editing.

To crop a screenshot in Snagit:

1. Capture a screenshot.
2. Open it in Snagit’s editor.
3. Use the cropping tool to adjust the image as needed.
4. Save or share your cropped screenshot.

Snagit is ideal for professionals who need more than just basic cropping and editing tools.

How to Crop a Screenshot on Mac Using the Built-In Screenshot Toolbar

macOS provides a built-in screenshot toolbar that lets you capture specific portions of the screen. While this tool does not allow you to crop a screenshot post-capture, it does let you select exactly what part of the screen you want to capture in the first place. Here’s how:

1. Press Command + Shift + 5 to open the screenshot toolbar.
2. Select the Capture Selected Portion option from the toolbar.
3. Drag to select the area you want to capture.
4. The screenshot will be taken as soon as you release the selection, with no further cropping required.

This method can help you avoid the need to crop a screenshot later, as you can capture only the portion you need in the first place.

How to Crop a Screenshot on Mac: Keyboard Shortcuts

If you frequently crop screenshots and want to streamline the process, using keyboard shortcuts can save time. However, macOS does not include a direct shortcut for cropping screenshots, but you can combine other shortcuts to make the process faster:

• Command + Shift + 4: Allows you to capture a selected portion of the screen directly.
• Command + Shift + 3: Captures the entire screen.
• Command + Shift + 5: Opens the screenshot toolbar, giving you more control over how you capture your screenshots.

These shortcuts help you capture precisely what you need, reducing the need for post-capture cropping.

FAQs on How to Crop a Screenshot on Mac

Q1: Can I crop a screenshot directly after taking it on my Mac?
No, macOS does not have a built-in feature that allows you to crop a screenshot immediately after taking it. However, you can crop your screenshot using apps like Preview, Photos, or third-party tools like Skitch and Snagit.

Q2: How do I crop a screenshot on Mac without opening an app?
Unfortunately, macOS doesn’t have a built-in feature that allows cropping directly after taking the screenshot. You need to open your screenshot in Preview, Photos, or another tool to crop it.

Q3: Is there a way to crop a screenshot before taking it?
Yes! You can use Command + Shift + 4 or Command + Shift + 5 to select and capture a specific area of the screen. This allows you to “crop” the screenshot before capturing it by only selecting the portion you want.

Q4: How do I crop a screenshot in macOS without using Preview or Photos?
You can use third-party apps like Skitch or Snagit to crop screenshots on your Mac. These apps provide additional editing options, making them suitable for more complex tasks.

Q5: Can I crop a screenshot on Mac using the Markup tool?
Yes, if you’re using macOS Mojave or later, you can use the Markup tool to crop screenshots directly. Once you’ve captured the screenshot, click on it to open it in Preview, then use the Markup tool to crop it.

In conclusion, there are many ways to crop a screenshot on Mac, whether you’re using built-in tools like Preview and Photos or third-party apps like Skitch and Snagit. Each method offers unique advantages, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs. With these steps, you’ll be able to crop your screenshots quickly and efficiently, making them more useful and professional-looking!