How to Capture Your Screen in Chrome
Visible Screen vs Full Page Screenshot
If you need to capture content below the fold, use full page screenshot mode instead — it automatically scrolls and stitches the entire page. For a specific region, try area capture.3 Ways to Get It Done
Method 1: Capture Screen — Capture the Visible Area of the Page
The Capture Screen mode allows you to instantly take a screenshot of the currently visible area in your browser — exactly what you see on the screen at that moment. After capturing, the image automatically opens in the built-in editor. This is the fastest way to take a clean screenshot in Chrome without capturing browser toolbars. Unlike OS-level screenshots, Capture Screen targets only the webpage content — no address bar, bookmarks bar, or system taskbar. The capture happens at your display's native resolution, so Retina and HiDPI screens produce sharp, high-quality images. You can also trigger screen capture via a custom keyboard shortcut for even faster workflows.
- 1Install Capture Full Page from the Chrome Web Store.
- 2Navigate to the page or content you want to capture.
- 3Click the extension icon and select Capture Screen.
- 4The visible part of the page is captured instantly — no scrolling required.
- 5The screenshot opens in the editor — add arrows, text, highlights, step numbers, or other annotations.
- 6Save the image as PNG, export it as PDF, or copy it to the clipboard.
Method 2: Windows Snipping Tool or macOS Screenshot
Operating systems have built-in screen capture tools, but they capture the entire screen (including browser chrome, taskbar, etc.) and have no web-specific features. Unlike Capture Full Page, built-in tools do not include a built-in editor, annotation tools, or direct PDF export.
- 1On Windows: press Win+Shift+S to open Snipping Tool, or PrtScn for the full screen.
- 2On Mac: press Cmd+Shift+4 to select an area, or Cmd+Shift+3 for the full screen.
- 3The screenshot captures everything visible — including browser toolbars, OS taskbar, and other apps.
- 4Paste or save the image, then use a separate editor if you need annotations.
Method 3: Chrome DevTools Screenshot
Chrome DevTools can capture just the viewport without browser chrome, but requires navigating through developer tools.
- 1Press F12 to open DevTools, then Ctrl+Shift+P.
- 2Type "screenshot" and select "Capture screenshot" (not full size).
- 3The visible area is saved as a PNG — no editing or clipboard options.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Capture Full Page | Built-in Tools | Other Extensions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capture Area mode | Yes — select any region | No | Some |
| Captures web content only | Yes — no browser chrome | No — includes taskbar, toolbars | Some |
| One-click capture | Yes | Yes (keyboard shortcut) | Some |
| Built-in editor | Yes — full annotation suite | Basic (Snipping Tool) | Some (paid) |
| Copy to clipboard | Yes | Yes | Some |
| Export as PDF | Yes | No | Rarely |
| Full page scrolling capture | Yes — automatic | No | Some |
| Retina/HiDPI support | Yes — automatic | Yes | Varies |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Capture Area, Capture Screen, and Capture Full Page?
Can I take a screenshot of only the webpage without browser toolbars?
Can I save a screenshot as PDF in Chrome?
How do I annotate a screen capture in Chrome?
Does Capture Screen work on Retina and HiDPI displays?
Can I capture the screen and paste it directly into an email or chat?
Full Page & Screen Screenshot Chrome Extension
Capture any area, visible screen, or full webpage in one click. Annotate, export as PNG or PDF, or copy instantly.
Add to ChromeRelated Guides
Take a Screenshot in Chrome
Compare 3 ways to take a screenshot in Chrome — extension, DevTools, and OS tools.
Full Page Screenshot in Chrome
One-click full page capture with auto-scroll, sticky element handling, and built-in editor.
Capture Area in Chrome
Select any rectangular area on a web page and capture just that region with one click.
Scrolling Screenshot in Chrome
Capture entire long web pages with automatic scrolling, sticky element handling, and lazy-load support.
Screenshot Editor for Chrome
Built-in screenshot editor with arrows, text, shapes, highlighter, step numbering, and PDF export.
Annotate Screenshots in Chrome
Add arrows, text, highlights, and numbered steps to screenshots directly in Chrome.