How to Crop Screenshot on Mac

To cut a screenshot on Mac:

1. Open the screenshot, access the Markup Toolbar, click Crop, adjust the selection, and press Done.
2. Open the image in Preview, select the area you want to keep, then go to Tools > Crop or press Command + K.

In addition to in-built cropping tools, you can also use third-party apps for more precise cropping or refer to online tools, which may sometimes be a quicker option.

Why cropping screenshots is useful

Cropping helps refine your screenshots by:

• Removing distractions for a cleaner look
• Enhancing clarity by emphasizing key details
• Improving composition for a better visual balance

A note from our experts: 

 

MacKeeper’s Duplicates Finder simplifies managing duplicate files by swiftly detecting and eliminating redundant data, ensuring a clutter-free Mac.

 

Here are a couple of easy steps on how to use this function:

1. In MacKeeper, choose our Duplicates Finder from the sidebar.
2. Click Start Scan and wait for it to finish.
3. Select files to delete and hit Remove Selected.

Built-in Mac tools for cropping screenshots

Mac offers several built-in tools to quickly trim a screenshot on Mac:

• From the preview, open the screenshot, select an area with the Selection tool, then choose Tools > Crop or press Command + K.
• From the Screenshot Toolbar, double-click the screenshot, access Markup, click Crop, adjust the selection, and press Done.

If you’re wondering how to edit images on Mac, these tools let you crop, adjust, and clean up screenshots in seconds—no extra software needed, just quick edits straight from your Mac’s default apps.

1. Using Preview to crop screenshot

When you need to crop on Mac, our team recommends using Preview for quick adjustments without sacrificing image quality. Here’s how:

1. Open the screenshot in Preview.
2. Click and drag to select the area to keep.
3. Go to Tools > Crop or press Command + K as a shortcut.
4. Save the screenshot.

2. Via Screenshot toolbar

If you’re wondering how to screenshot on Mac and crop immediately, the Screenshot toolbar makes it easy. We like it for instant edits without opening another app—try it yourself:

1. Press Command + Shift + 4 to activate selection mode.
2. Drag to select the area you want to capture.
3. Click the thumbnail that appears in the corner.
4. Tap the Crop button and adjust the selection.
5. Save the edited screenshot when satisfied.

Need to clean up space on your computer? 

 

While organizing screenshots, consider removing unnecessary clutter—our team often recommends tools to delete duplicate photos on Mac for a more organized library.

Third-party applications for cutting screenshot

Sometimes built-in tools aren’t enough, and a third-party app makes editing easier. Whether you need more precision or just some extra features, several options stand out:

• Snagit offers advanced cropping, annotation, and sharing tools in a user-friendly interface.
• Skitch makes quick edits simple with an easy-to-use cropping and markup tool.
• GIMP provides free, professional-grade image editing with customizable cropping options.
• Lightshot lets you instantly capture and crop screenshots with quick sharing features.
• PicPick combines screenshot editing with a full suite of graphic design tools.

Common mistakes to avoid when cropping screenshots

Cropping a screenshot seems simple, but small mistakes can make images less impactful. A poorly cropped image might lose clarity, cut off important details, or look unbalanced. Our team has seen these mistakes countless times, and avoiding them makes a big difference. Pay attention so you can avoid:

• Cutting out too much, leaving an awkward composition.
• Ignoring aspect ratios makes images look stretched or uneven.
• Over-cropping text, making it hard to read.
• Reducing image quality by saving in the wrong format.
• Forgetting to keep enough padding for better visual balance.
• Using inconsistent sizes makes images look unprofessional in presentations or documents.

Best practices for high-quality screenshot cropping

A good crop enhances clarity, improves focus, and makes screenshots more professional. While tools help, knowing a few key principles ensures every cropped image looks polished and practical. Some tips to remember:

• Keep essential elements centered or follow composition rules like the rule of thirds.
• Leave enough space around your text for enhanced readability.
• Use consistent dimensions to maintain a clean, uniform look in documents or presentations.
• Avoid excessive cropping, which can make an image feel cramped.
• Choose the proper resolution to prevent pixelation or blurry details.
• Save in high-quality formats like PNG to preserve clarity.

Advanced cropping features you might not know about

Basic cropping gets the job done, but some tools offer extra features to make screenshots even better. Many users never explore these options, even though they save time and improve results, but we’ll guide you through them here:

• Use aspect ratio presets to maintain a consistent look across different images.
• Leverage grid overlays in editing tools to properly align elements.
• Take advantage of non-destructive cropping in apps like Photoshop, which allows for adjustments later.
• Use batch cropping in certain apps to simultaneously resize multiple screenshots.
• Apply smart cropping tools that automatically detect and center key elements.
• Experiment with custom crop shapes for more creative or unique images.

Conclusion

Mac offers plenty of ways to crop screenshots, from built-in tools like Preview and the Screenshot toolbar to third-party apps with extra features. The right method depends on your needs—quick edits, precise adjustments, or additional options. Our team often relies on these tools to remove distractions, refine composition, and effortlessly resize images.

A cluttered Mac can slow you down, especially when duplicate screenshots pile up. MacKeeper’s Duplicates Finder helps clear space by finding and removing unnecessary file copies in just a few clicks. We recommend running regular scans to keep your system organized so you can focus on editing without the hassle of sorting through extra files.