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

Introduction

As technology continues to advance, the ability to take screenshots has become an essential feature across all devices. Mac users, in particular, often find themselves needing to capture and share screenshots for various reasons—whether it’s for work, personal projects, or troubleshooting. However, once you’ve taken a screenshot on your Mac, you may want to crop it to focus on a specific area or remove unnecessary elements. In this article, we will explore different methods and tools to help you easily crop a screenshot on a Mac.

Before we dive into the details, it’s important to note that the methods described here apply to macOS, the operating system used on Mac computers. The steps may vary slightly depending on the version of macOS you are using, but the underlying principles remain the same. Let’s get started with the various ways you can crop a screenshot on a Mac.

Using the Preview App

The Preview app, which comes pre-installed on your Mac, is a versatile tool that allows you to view, edit, and annotate images, including screenshots. It offers a simple and straightforward way to crop your screenshots without the need for additional software. Here’s how you can use the Preview app to crop a screenshot:

1. Open the screenshot you want to crop in the Preview app. You can do this by locating the screenshot file in the Finder and double-clicking on it. Alternatively, you can open the Preview app and go to “File” in the menu bar, then select “Open” and choose the screenshot file from your computer.

2. Once the screenshot is open in Preview, click on the “Show Markup Toolbar” button, which looks like a toolbox, in the top-right corner of the window. This will reveal additional editing options.

3. In the Markup Toolbar, click on the “Selection” tool, which looks like a square with dotted lines. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Command + K” to activate the Selection tool.

4. Click and drag the cursor over the area you want to crop. You will see a rectangular selection box formed by the dotted lines as you drag. Adjust the selection as needed to encompass the desired area of the screenshot.

5. Once you have selected the area to crop, go to the menu bar and click on “Tools,” then choose “Crop.” You can also use the keyboard shortcut “Command + K” to perform the crop action.

6. The selected area will now be cropped, removing everything outside of the selection. You can further fine-tune the crop by clicking and dragging the handles on the edges of the selection box.

7. If you’re satisfied with the result, go to “File” in the menu bar and click “Save” to save the cropped screenshot. You can choose a location on your computer to save the file.

The Preview app provides a straightforward and efficient way to crop screenshots on your Mac without the need for additional software. However, if you’re looking for more advanced features or prefer a dedicated screenshot editing tool, there are other options available, as we will explore in the following sections.

Using Third-Party Screenshot Editing Tools

While the Preview app offers basic screenshot editing capabilities, you may want to explore third-party tools that provide more advanced features and options. These tools are specifically designed for editing and enhancing screenshots, making the cropping process even more seamless. Here are a few popular third-party screenshot editing tools for Mac:

1. Snagit

Snagit is a powerful screenshot editing tool that offers a wide range of features, including the ability to crop screenshots with precision. It provides a user-friendly interface and intuitive tools for editing and annotating screenshots. To crop a screenshot using Snagit, you can follow these steps:

1. Install and launch Snagit on your Mac. You can download Snagit from the developer’s website and follow the installation instructions.

2. Capture a screenshot using Snagit’s capture tool. You can either capture the entire screen, a specific window, or a custom area.

3. Once the screenshot is captured, it will open in Snagit’s editor. In the editor, you will find various editing options, including cropping. Click on the “Crop” button in the toolbar, or use the keyboard shortcut “Command + K,” to activate the cropping tool.

4. Click and drag the handles on the edges of the image to select the area you want to crop. You can also adjust the position and size of the selection box by dragging from inside the box.

5. After you’ve selected the area to crop, click “Apply” or press “Enter” to apply the crop. The selected area will be cropped, and you can further adjust the crop if needed.

6. Once you’re satisfied with the crop, click on the “Save” button in the toolbar to save the cropped screenshot. Snagit allows you to choose the file format and destination for saving the file.

2. Skitch

Skitch is another popular screenshot editing tool developed by Evernote. It offers a range of annotation and editing features, including cropping. Skitch has a user-friendly interface and provides a seamless experience for cropping screenshots. Here’s how you can crop a screenshot using Skitch:

1. Install and launch Skitch on your Mac. You can download Skitch from the macOS App Store.

2. Capture a screenshot using Skitch’s capture tool. Similar to Snagit, you can choose to capture the entire screen, a specific window, or a custom area.

3. After capturing the screenshot, it will open in Skitch’s editor. In the editor, you will find a toolbar with various editing options. Click on the “Crop” button to activate the cropping tool.

4. Click and drag the handles on the edges of the image to select the area you want to crop. Skitch also provides grid lines to help you align the crop perfectly.

5. Once you’ve selected the area to crop, click on the “Crop” button or press “Enter” to apply the crop. The selected area will be cropped, and you can make further adjustments if needed.

6. To save the cropped screenshot, click on the “Save” button in the toolbar. Skitch allows you to choose the file format and destination for saving the file.

These are just a couple of examples of the many third-party screenshot editing tools available for Mac. They offer additional features and customization options, allowing you to edit and crop screenshots with greater precision and efficiency.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Screenshot and Crop

Mac computers have built-in keyboard shortcuts that can speed up the process of capturing screenshots and cropping them. Learning these shortcuts can help you become more efficient in your workflow. Here are some useful keyboard shortcuts for taking screenshots and cropping them on a Mac:

• Command + Shift + 3: Capture the entire screen as a screenshot and save it to the desktop.
• Command + Shift + 4: Turn the cursor into a crosshair, allowing you to select a specific area for capturing a screenshot. Once you’ve made your selection, release the mouse button or trackpad to capture the screenshot.
• Command + Shift + 4 + Spacebar: Capture a screenshot of a specific window or application. After pressing the keyboard shortcut, move the cursor over the desired window and click to capture the screenshot.
• Command + Shift + 5: Open the screenshot toolbar, which provides additional options for capturing screenshots and recording your screen. From the toolbar, you can select the desired capture mode and choose to capture the entire screen, a specific area, or a window.
• Command + K: Activate the cropping tool in various screenshot editing applications, including the Preview app, Snagit, and Skitch.

Conclusion

Being able to crop a screenshot on a Mac is a valuable skill that can enhance your productivity and communication. Whether you choose to use the built-in Preview app or opt for third-party screenshot editing tools, the process is relatively straightforward and can be accomplished with just a few clicks. Remember to save your cropped screenshots in a format and location that suits your needs.

By following the methods and shortcuts outlined in this article, you’ll be able to crop your screenshots efficiently and effectively. Experiment with different tools and techniques to find the workflow that works best for you. Now that you have the knowledge and tools at your disposal, get ready to crop your screenshots with ease on your Mac!