Capturing your Chromebook screen lets you save a receipt, share an error message, or keep a copy of something on screen. Chrome OS has a built-in screen capture tool for both full-screen and partial shots.
What you'll need
- A Chromebook
Step by step
- Take a full-screen shotPress the Ctrl key together with the Show Windows key (the rectangle with two lines, usually in the top row). The whole screen is saved as an image.
- Capture part of the screenPress Ctrl, Shift, and the Show Windows key at the same time, then drag a box around the area you want.
- Use the Screen Capture menuOpen the status area at the bottom right, select Screen Capture, and choose between screenshot or screen recording and full, partial, or window mode.
- Find the confirmationA preview appears in the bottom-right corner and a Screenshot taken notification shows where the file was saved.
- Open the saved fileOpen the Files app and look in the Downloads folder, or click the preview thumbnail to view it right away.
Chromebook screenshot keyboard shortcut for the full screen
The main shortcut for a full-screen capture is Ctrl plus the Show Windows key. That key sits in the top row and looks like a rectangle with two lines beside it; on many Chromebooks it takes the place of the F5 position on a standard keyboard. Press the two keys together and the entire display is saved as a single image.
If you prefer to think of it by function key, the Show Windows key is generally the F5 slot, so Ctrl + F5 does the same job. This is handy to remember when a key label is worn off or when you are describing the step to someone else.
How to take a partial or region screenshot on a Chromebook
To grab just part of the screen, press Ctrl, Shift, and the Show Windows key at the same time. The pointer turns into a crosshair, and you drag a box around the area you want before releasing. Only what is inside the box is saved, which is useful for one window, a single paragraph, or a small area you want to share.
You can adjust the selection box before you let go by dragging its edges or corners, so you do not usually need to crop the image afterward.
Using the Screen Capture tool in the shelf and Quick Settings
If you would rather not remember shortcuts, open the Quick Settings panel by selecting the clock area at the bottom right, then choose Screen Capture. A small toolbar appears at the bottom of the screen where you can switch between a still screenshot and a screen recording, and pick full screen, partial, or a single window.
The Screen Capture tool can also be pinned to the shelf so it is one click away. It is the same tool the keyboard shortcuts open, so the results are identical whichever way you start it.
Where Chromebook screenshots are saved
By default your screenshots go to the Downloads folder, which you can open any time with the Files app. Right after you take a shot, a preview also appears in the Tote at the bottom-right of the shelf, giving you quick access to the most recent captures without opening Files.
You can send captures to a different folder or to Google Drive by opening the Screen Capture toolbar, selecting the settings gear, and choosing a new save location.
Taking a screenshot with an external keyboard or on an ASUS Chromebook
Many external or non-Chromebook keyboards do not have a Show Windows key. On those, use Ctrl + F5 for a full-screen shot and Ctrl + Shift + F5 for a partial one, since F5 maps to the Show Windows position. If a keyboard has an F-lock or media-key mode, you may need to hold the Fn key so F5 acts as a function key.
Branded Chromebooks such as ASUS, Acer, Lenovo, HP, and Samsung all run Chrome OS, so the steps are the same across brands. The screenshot shortcut and the Screen Capture tool work identically no matter which company made the device.
Handy tips
- On a tablet-style Chromebook with no keyboard, press the power and volume-down buttons together.
- Use partial capture to crop tightly so you do not have to edit the image afterward.
- Click the copy icon in the notification to paste the shot straight into a chat or document.
FAQ
What is the keyboard shortcut for a screenshot on a Chromebook?
Press Ctrl together with the Show Windows key for a full-screen shot. The Show Windows key sits in the top row and is generally the F5 position, so Ctrl + F5 works too.
How do I take a partial screenshot on a Chromebook?
Press Ctrl, Shift, and the Show Windows key at the same time, then drag a box around the area you want and release. With an external keyboard, use Ctrl + Shift + F5 instead.
Where do Chromebook screenshots go?
By default they are saved to the Downloads folder, which you can open with the Files app, and a recent copy appears in the Tote on the shelf. You can change the save location in the Screen Capture toolbar.
How do I take a screenshot on a Chromebook with an external keyboard?
If the keyboard has no Show Windows key, press Ctrl + F5 for a full screen and Ctrl + Shift + F5 for a region. You may need to hold Fn if F5 is set to media mode.
Why does my keyboard not have a Show Windows key?
Some external or non-Chromebook keyboards lack it. Use F5 in its place, or open the Screen Capture tool from the Quick Settings menu.
How do I use the Screen Capture tool without a shortcut?
Select the clock area at the bottom right to open Quick Settings, choose Screen Capture, then pick screenshot or recording and full, partial, or window mode from the toolbar.
How do I take a screenshot on an ASUS or other branded Chromebook?
It works the same on every brand. ASUS, Acer, Lenovo, HP, and Samsung Chromebooks all run Chrome OS, so Ctrl plus Show Windows and the Screen Capture tool behave identically.
Can I record my screen too?
Yes. Open the Screen Capture tool from Quick Settings and switch from the camera icon to the video icon to record a video instead of taking a still image.