The shortcut for snipping tool in Windows is Win + Shift + S. It skips opening the app: a slim toolbar drops down from the top edge, you choose a shape and drag, and the snip is copied and shown as a preview you can mark up and save.
When the Snipping Tool app is already open, other keys work inside it, such as Ctrl + N for a new snip and Ctrl + S to save. All of them are listed below.
Quick facts
Open the snip bar
Win + Shift + SVideo snip
Win + Shift + RNew snip in the app
Ctrl + NSave the snip
Ctrl + SCopy it
Ctrl + CCancel
Esc
Every shortcut for snipping tool work
| Action | Keys |
|---|---|
| Open the snipping bar from anywhere | Win + Shift + S |
| Start a video snip (newer Windows 11) | Win + Shift + R |
| New snip inside the app | Ctrl + N |
| Change snip mode inside the app | Alt + M |
| Save the snip | Ctrl + S |
| Copy the snip | Ctrl + C |
| Cancel a snip | Esc |
The four snip modes
| Mode | Good for |
|---|---|
| Rectangle | A chart, a paragraph, part of a form |
| Free form | An odd shape, such as a signature |
| Window | One open window, cleanly |
| Full screen | Everything, including the taskbar |
Once the bar is showing, use Tab and Enter on the bar to pick a mode without the mouse, then drag with the arrow keys or mouse.
Save a snip as a file
- Snip with Win + Shift + S.
- Click the preview notification that appears at the corner of the screen.
- Mark up with the pen or highlighter if you need to.
- Press Ctrl + S, choose a folder and name, and save as PNG or JPG.
In Windows 11, automatic saving can be switched on in the Snipping Tool settings, so every snip also lands in Pictures without these steps.
Make PrtSc open the snipping tool
Windows 11 updates use the PrtSc key to open the snip bar by default. On Windows 10, or after someone switched it off, go to Settings, Accessibility, Keyboard and enable PrtSc for screen snipping. Then one key does the same job as Win + Shift + S. The screenshot shortcut key page lists the other PrtSc combinations.
When the snip shortcut does nothing
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Bar does not appear | Restart the Snipping Tool app or the computer; update it from the Microsoft Store |
| Snip is copied but not saved | Click the preview and save, or turn on automatic saving |
| Notifications are off | Turn on notifications for Snipping Tool to see the preview |
| Windows key disabled | Gaming keyboards can lock it; switch game mode off |
Snipping on a Mac
Macs have no Snipping Tool, but Command + Shift + 5 gives the same choices. See the Mac screenshot shortcut guide. To record video on Windows instead, see the screen recording shortcut key.
Frequently asked questions
What is the shortcut key for snipping tool?
Does Windows 11 use a different snipping tool shortcut key from Windows 10?
No, both use Win + Shift + S. Windows 11 adds video snips with Win + Shift + R on updated systems.
Where are snips saved?
They are copied to the clipboard. Save them from the preview, or turn on automatic saving in Windows 11.
How do I snip one window?
Press Win + Shift + S, choose Window mode and click the window.
Can PrtSc open the snipping tool?
Yes. Turn it on in Settings, then Accessibility, then Keyboard. It is on by default in newer Windows 11.
Is there a snipping tool shortcut on Mac?
Use Command + Shift + 5.