THE CHROMEBOOK GUIDE

How to screenshot on Chromebook.

Use Screen capture to choose a whole screen, a window, or a smaller area.

Reference checked September 2026 · ChromeOS
START HERE / OPEN THE SCREEN CAPTURE TOOLBAR
CtrlShiftShow windows

Press these keys together, choose Screenshot, then select the capture type. Show windows usually looks like a rectangle with two lines.

STEP-BY-STEP ILLUSTRATION
  1. Open the content you want to capture.
  2. Ctrl + Shift + Show windows — open the screen capture toolbar.
  3. Press these keys together, choose Screenshot, then select the capture type. Show windows usually looks like a rectangle with two lines.

Illustration only. Use the controls on your own device.

Where it goes

Screenshots normally save to Downloads. You can choose a different folder in the Screen capture settings.

MORE WAYS TO CAPTURE

How to screenshot on Chromebook: more methods

02

Capture the entire screen

CtrlShow windows

Take a screenshot of the whole screen.

STEP-BY-STEP ILLUSTRATION
  1. Open the content you want to capture.
  2. Ctrl + Show windows — capture the entire screen.
  3. Take a screenshot of the whole screen.

Illustration only. Use the controls on your own device.

03

Use the on-screen controls

Quick settingsScreen capture

Click the time in the corner, then select Screen capture. Some keyboards also have a dedicated screenshot key.

STEP-BY-STEP ILLUSTRATION
  1. Open the content you want to capture.
  2. Quick settings + Screen capture — use the on-screen controls.
  3. Click the time in the corner, then select Screen capture. Some keyboards also have a dedicated screenshot key.

Illustration only. Use the controls on your own device.

04

Capture in tablet mode

PowerVolume down

On a supported Chromebook tablet, press these physical buttons together to capture the screen.

STEP-BY-STEP ILLUSTRATION
  1. Open the content you want to capture.
  2. Power + Volume down — capture in tablet mode.
  3. On a supported Chromebook tablet, press these physical buttons together to capture the screen.

Illustration only. Use the controls on your own device.

Chromebook laptop and tablet modes

A Chromebook keyboard may have a dedicated Screenshot key or a Show windows key. The on-screen Screen capture menu avoids keyboard differences. On supported Chromebook tablets, Power + Volume down takes a screenshot.

Edit and share your screenshot

Open the capture in the Files app to view it. Use your image editor for cropping, then attach the saved file to a message. A desktop screenshot captures visible content; it does not automatically scroll a webpage.

How to screenshot on Chromebook: common questions

What if I use an external keyboard?+

Open Screen capture from Quick settings to avoid differences in keyboard layouts.

Can I select a single window?+

Yes. Choose window capture in the toolbar, then click the window you want.

What does Show windows look like?+

Look for a rectangle with two lines beside it. If you cannot find it, use Quick settings → Screen capture.

Where can I change the save folder?+

Open Screen capture and look in its settings for the folder selection.

Go straight to the source.Official Chromebook instructions ↗
More official instructions ↗

Controls can change between versions. This independent guide links to the manufacturer’s documentation.

← Choose another device