What does Command+Shift+4 do?
On a Mac, Command+Shift+4 lets you capture a selected area of the screen. The same keys have other meanings in different applications; check the context below.
Recorded actions and binding evidence
macOS
macOS · System & Display
Screenshot (Selection) — Drag to select an area and save it as a screenshot
Cmd + Shift + 4
Verified against official documentation · Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Apple: Take a screenshot on Mac
Apple screenshot instructions: press Shift-Command-4, then drag a region and release to capture. Space is a separate step for window capture.
macOS · System & Display
Screenshot (Window) — Click a window to capture and save it as a screenshot
Cmd + Shift + 4 then Space
Not yet individually reviewed
Context
Select a capture region rather than capturing the whole display. Apple documents Shift+Command+4 for screenshot selection on Mac. A window capture adds a separate Space step; it is not the same simultaneous chord. Hide private information and inspect the resulting image before sharing it.
Read the application, version, action and binding scope together. Product availability is not evidence for a key combination on every operating system. Verified means the listed binding was checked against its official source; an unreviewed or missing platform remains unknown. Customized keymaps, keyboard layouts and intercepted system keys can change the behavior you observe.
Practical checks
- Focus the application whose recorded action you intend to use.
- Check whether a custom keymap, keyboard language, browser extension or remote session intercepts these keys.
- When the result is unreviewed, consult the official application's shortcut settings instead of guessing a platform equivalent.
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