To take a screenshot in Google Chrome, click the share icon in the address bar and choose Screenshot, then drag to select the area you want. Chrome copies the image to your clipboard, and you can download it. For a full page including the part below the fold, use Chrome’s developer tools instead.
Chrome has more than one way to do this, and the right one depends on what you need. A quick crop of what you can see is one click. A tall page that scrolls needs a different method. Here are four ways that work, in the order you will most likely want them.
What do you need before you start?
- Google Chrome on a computer. The share menu screenshot tool is a desktop feature.
- Nothing else. No extension and no flag for the first two methods.
How do I screenshot part of a page in Chrome?
This is Chrome’s own tool, and it is the fastest option for grabbing a section of what is on screen.
- Click the share icon in the address bar. It sits near the bookmark star.
- Click Screenshot in the menu that opens.
- Drag across the part of the page you want.
- Let go. Chrome shows a preview with a Copy button and a Download button.
One limit worth knowing. This tool only captures what is currently visible. Scroll to the part you want before you start, because you cannot scroll while dragging.
How do I capture a whole scrolling page?
Chrome’s developer tools can capture the entire page in one image, top to bottom, with no extension. This is the method to use for a long article or a full dashboard.
- Press F12 to open developer tools. On a Mac, press Command + Option + I.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + P, or Command + Shift + P on a Mac, to open the command box.
- Type screenshot.
- Click Capture full size screenshot.
The image saves straight to your Downloads folder. The same command list also offers Capture area screenshot and Capture node screenshot, which grabs a single element such as one card or one table.
This looks technical, but it is four keystrokes once you have done it twice, and it is the cleanest full-page capture available anywhere in Chrome.
How do I use my computer’s own screenshot tool?
Sometimes you want the Chrome window itself, tabs and all, which the in-page tools will never give you.
- Windows: press Windows + Shift + S to open Snipping Tool and drag a box.
- Mac: press Command + Shift + 4 for an area, or add Spacebar to grab a whole window.
- Chromebook: press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows, then pick screen, window or area from the toolbar.
When is a screenshot extension worth it?
Reach for an extension only when you need the extras: arrows, blur, numbered callouts, or saving a batch of captures in one go. For a plain image, the two built-in methods above are faster and do not ask for permission to read the pages you visit.
If you do install one, check what access it requests. A screenshot extension that wants to read and change data on all websites is asking for a lot.
Frequently asked questions
Where do Chrome screenshots get saved?
To your normal Downloads folder when you click Download or use the developer tools capture. The share menu tool also puts a copy on your clipboard, so you can paste it straight into a document or chat.
Can I edit a screenshot inside Chrome?
Only lightly. Chrome’s built-in capture gives you copy and download, not annotation tools. For arrows and highlights, paste the image into your usual image editor, or use an extension built for markup.
Why can I not screenshot a video or a streaming site?
Streaming services use content protection that blanks out protected video in captures. The screenshot works, but the video area comes out black. That is by design and no setting will change it.
Can I take a screenshot in Chrome on Android?
Use your phone’s own shortcut, usually Power and Volume down together. Chrome on Android also offers a screenshot option in its share sheet, with a crop and markup screen after you capture.
Wrapping up
Use the share menu for a quick crop, developer tools when the page scrolls past the bottom of the screen, and your operating system shortcut when you need the browser window itself. Between those three, an extension is rarely necessary.
