ClipboardlyHow to Save a Screenshot to the Clipboard on Mac
To copy a screenshot to the clipboard on a Mac instead of saving a file, add Control to the usual shortcut: press Control-Shift-Command-3 for the whole screen or Control-Shift-Command-4 to select an area. Then paste it with ⌘V. To make the clipboard the default, press ⇧⌘5, click Options and choose Clipboard under Save to.
- ⌃⇧⌘3 copies the whole screen; ⌃⇧⌘4 copies a selected area.
- ⇧⌘5 → Options → Save to → Clipboard makes it the default.
- Control-click the floating thumbnail to copy a screenshot you just took.
Shortcuts
| What you want | Save as file | Copy to clipboard |
|---|---|---|
| Whole screen | ⇧⌘3 | ⌃⇧⌘3 |
| Selected area | ⇧⌘4 | ⌃⇧⌘4 |
| One window | ⇧⌘4, then Space | ⌃⇧⌘4, then Space |
Make the clipboard the default
- Press ⇧⌘5 to open the Screenshot app.
- Click Options.
- Under Save to, choose Clipboard. From now on, ⇧⌘3 and ⇧⌘4 copy instead of saving.
Keep every screenshot without the desktop clutter
The clipboard holds one screenshot at a time. Turn on screenshot auto-capture in Clipboardly and every screenshot you take is added to your clipboard history, ready to paste into a chat, ticket or deck days later. Download Clipboardly; it's free.
Frequently asked questions
Where do Mac screenshots go when copied to the clipboard?
Nowhere on disk. The image stays on the clipboard until you paste it or copy something else.
How do I paste a screenshot?
Click where you want it, such as a message, document or Preview (File → New from Clipboard), and press ⌘V.
Sources
Checked September 2026. Prices and features of other apps can change; check each app’s site for the latest.
Written by Sheikh Saadi, founder of Growbig100. Updated .