Ubuntu Screenshot: How to Capture Your Screen on Ubuntu

Capturing a screenshot on Ubuntu is a straightforward process, thanks to the built-in tools and keyboard shortcuts available in the operating system. Whether you need to capture your entire screen, a specific window, or a selected area, Ubuntu offers several methods to meet your needs. Here’s how you can take screenshots on Ubuntu:

Introduction

To capture the entire screen, you can use the Print Screen key on your keyboard. Pressing this key will take a screenshot of your entire desktop. The image will be ubuntu screenshot automatically saved to your “Pictures” directory under a folder named “Screenshots.” If you want to manually choose where to save the screenshot or to copy it to the clipboard instead of saving it, you can use the screenshot tool provided in Ubuntu.

linux screenshot

For capturing just the currently focused window, press Alt + Print Screen. This will take a screenshot of the active window and save it to your “Pictures” directory, similar to the full-screen capture. This method is useful if you only need to capture the contents of a single application or window without including the rest of your desktop.

If you prefer to capture a specific area of your screen, press Shift + Print Screen. This will change your cursor to a crosshair, allowing you to click and drag to select the region you want to capture. Once you release the mouse button, the screenshot will be taken and saved to your “Pictures” directory. This method gives you more control over the exact portion of the screen you want to capture.

how to screenshot on linux

Ubuntu also includes a built-in screenshot tool that provides additional options for capturing and managing screenshots. You can open this tool by searching for “Screenshot” in the application menu or by pressing Shift + Ctrl + Print Screen. The tool allows you to capture the entire screen, a selected area, or a specific window. It also includes options to delay the screenshot by a few seconds, which is useful for capturing menus or other transient elements. After taking a screenshot, you can choose to save it, copy it to the clipboard, or open it in an image editor for further adjustments.

how to take a screenshot on ubuntu

For more advanced screenshot needs, such as capturing scrolling windows or editing screenshots, you may want to install third-party applications. Tools like Flameshot, Shutter, and Ksnip offer additional features, including annotation, editing, and cloud sharing capabilities. These tools can be installed via the Ubuntu Software Center or using package managers like apt.

ubuntu screenshot tool

To install Flameshot, for example, open a terminal and run the following command:

After installation, you can launch Flameshot from the application menu and use it to capture and annotate screenshots with a range of tools and options.

linux screenshot tool

In summary, Ubuntu provides a variety of methods for taking screenshots, from simple keyboard shortcuts to more advanced screenshot tools. Whether you need to capture the entire screen, a specific window, or a selected area, Ubuntu’s built-in features and third-party applications make it easy to capture and manage screenshots.