What is on your screen right now can be captured in a screenshot. Screenshots are a handy tool to have on hand, especially when attempting to illustrate a difficult concept. If you are new to Ubuntu and seeking a way to take a screenshot, this tutorial will walk you through every method.

Quick answer: press Print to open Ubuntu's built-in Screenshot tool. The key may be labelled PrtSc or PrtScn. Choose Selection, Screen or Window, then click the round capture button. Want to skip the menu? Shift + Print grabs the whole screen and Alt + Print grabs the active window. Files go to Pictures/Screenshots.

The rest of this guide covers delays, adding notes and arrows, and what to do when the Print key does nothing.

⌨️ Take Screenshots via Keyboard Shortcuts

Due to their simplicity, manual screenshots are the default and typically the preferred method of screen clipping. This will probably also be your best option if you don't use Ubuntu for labour-intensive tasks like photo or video editing.

Default Ubuntu Screenshot Shortcuts

Since Ubuntu 22.04 (GNOME 42), screenshots go through a screen overlay that's built into GNOME Shell. Older tutorials were written for the GNOME Screenshot app, so they often list shortcuts that no longer work. The shortcuts below are the ones that still apply on current Ubuntu releases.

Shortcut What it does
Print Opens the Screenshot tool overlay
Shift + Print Instantly captures the entire screen
Alt + Print Instantly captures the active window
Shift + Ctrl + Alt + R Starts or stops a screencast (video)

Snap a Picture of the Entire Screen

Press Shift + Print. There's no overlay and nothing to click. The captured image is automatically stored in the Pictures/Screenshots directory.

If you're interested in configuring your Ubuntu system further, you might want to check out our guide on how to install BIND on Ubuntu, which covers setting up a DNS server.

Capture a Specific Area

Sometimes, you only need to capture a portion of the entire screen, such as a dialog box or a specific area of your browser. Press Print, drag the handles around the area you want, then click the big round button or press Enter. It works much like the Windows Snipping Tool.

Snap a Picture of the Current Window

If you're a typical computer user of the twenty-first century, you probably have several tabs open right now. Press Alt + Print together if you only want to capture the browser window now open rather than the entire list of active tabs. Want a different window? Press Print, click Window, pick the window from the overview and capture it.

Take and Save Screenshots to the Clipboard

This part confuses a lot of people. On GNOME 42 and later, the built-in tool saves the file and copies the image to your clipboard. Take the screenshot, then paste it into Slack, a document or an email with Ctrl + V.

The old Ctrl + Print shortcuts that copied without saving came from GNOME Screenshot and don't apply anymore.

For users who manage servers or require advanced system configurations, you might also find our guide on how to install Webmin on Ubuntu helpful. Webmin simplifies server administration and offers a user-friendly interface for managing your Ubuntu system.

Stylised Ubuntu 24.04 screenshot overlay with Selection, Screen, Window, Camera, Video, Pointer and Capture labels

🖼️ Using Ubuntu's Built-In Screenshot Tool

  1. Press Print, or click the screenshot button in the system menu at the top right. The menu button helps on laptops where the Print key is hard to reach.
  2. Make sure the camera icon is selected. That's the mode for still images.
  3. Choose Selection, Screen, or Window.
  4. Click the pointer icon if you want the mouse cursor to show in the screenshot.
  5. Click the round button to capture.

Once the overlay is open, you can use it without the mouse. S selects an area, C captures the screen and W captures a window. P shows or hides the pointer, and V switches between screenshot and video mode.

Recording a Screencast Instead

Press V or click the video icon, choose Selection or Screen, and start recording. Stop the recording from the top bar.

💾 Where Ubuntu Saves Screenshots

Current Ubuntu versions save every screenshot to ~/Pictures/Screenshots. Each file name starts with "Screenshot" and includes the date and time, so your screenshots stay in order.

Ubuntu 20.04 and earlier used GNOME Screenshot, which saved files directly in ~/Pictures.

💻 Take a Screenshot in Ubuntu Through the Terminal

If you don't want to leave your terminal, you can use a straightforward command to take a screenshot of a window, a portion of the screen, or the entire screen. The built-in overlay has no delay timer, which is a problem when you need to capture an open dropdown menu or a tooltip. The fix is gnome-screenshot. It isn't installed by default on 22.04 or newer, but you can still get it from Ubuntu's repositories:

sudo apt install gnome-screenshot

Then open Terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and run the command you need:

gnome-screenshot                  # full screen
gnome-screenshot -w               # active window
gnome-screenshot -a               # select an area
gnome-screenshot -d 5             # 5-second delay
gnome-screenshot -w -d 3          # active window after 3 seconds
gnome-screenshot -f ~/Desktop/shot.png   # save to a specific file

For a delayed screenshot, run the delay command, open your menu and wait. GNOME Screenshot isn't being developed anymore, so use it for jobs like this rather than as your main tool.

For a broader command reference while you're in the terminal, see our guide to 50 Ubuntu basic commands. And if you're running a long command and want to grab screenshots without losing the session, the Linux screen command keeps the session alive in the background.

Conceptual Ubuntu terminal and files illustration showing gnome-screenshot -d 5 saving to Pictures/Screenshots.

📸 Take a Screenshot in Ubuntu Using the Screenshot App

Some people don't like working with keyboard shortcuts for various reasons. If you fall into this category, you can still complete your task using the Screenshot program included with Ubuntu. Start by entering "screenshot" into the search field in the Applications Menu. After that, choose the ideal match to launch the Screenshot app. To finish, choose the types of screenshots you want and follow the on-screen directions.

This approach has the advantage of giving you greater choice over how you wish to snap a screenshot. You'll be able to access various features and effects that are not typically available through keyboard shortcuts. A screenshot can be delayed after you click it, pointers can be added, and other effects like borders, drop shadows, and vintage can be applied.

If you're setting up a server on Ubuntu, check out our guide on how to install OpenLiteSpeed web server on Ubuntu to enhance your hosting environment.

🛠️ Using Third-Party Apps to Capture Screenshots on Ubuntu

Taking a screenshot using third-party programs is your final resort if you've tried all the ways outlined above and are still unimpressed. Fortunately, numerous Ubuntu screenshot tools are available.

Best Third-Party Screenshot Tools for Ubuntu

You don't need any of these, but they help if you write guides or report bugs.

Tool Best for Install Caveat
Built-in Screenshot tool Fast everyday captures and screencasts Preinstalled No delay timer, no annotation
Flameshot Arrows, text, blur, highlights sudo apt install flameshot Can fail on GNOME Wayland
Shutter Power users wanting an all-in-one editor and history sudo apt install shutter Limited on Wayland, X11 works best
GIMP Heavy editing after capture sudo apt install gimp Overkill for quick shots

Gnome

The Gnome Screenshot tool is one of the simplest and most user-friendly applications for taking screenshots in Ubuntu. You can also use it to capture a screenshot of the login screen. Ubuntu typically ships with the Gnome Screenshot tool pre-installed. But if it isn't already set up, launch the Terminal and enter the following command to install it:

sudo apt install gnome-screenshot

Search for the "Screenshot" app in the app launcher after you have opened it. You can select "Screen" to take a full-screen screenshot, "Window" to capture only a specific window, and "Selection" to capture only a portion of the current window. To take a screenshot, select "Take Screenshot." Save the image you just captured inside the "Pictures" folder.

The ability to take delayed screenshots with the Gnome Screenshot tool is its finest feature. This implies that you can also snap a screenshot of the lock screen. Click "Take Screenshot" in the top left corner after setting the timer for 10 seconds. If you want to take a snapshot of the screen, lock it now; it will do it in 10 seconds. An invitation to save the screenshot of the login screen will show up when you check-in.

Shutter

Another fantastic tool to take a screenshot in Ubuntu is Shutter. Although it initially seems a little complicated, it's rather simple to use. This program includes a simple picture editor by default. You may also rapidly submit screenshots to Dropbox and Imgur if you are an advanced user. It is also possible to grab screenshots later.

  • Execute each of the commands listed below once to install Shutter on Ubuntu.
sudo add-apt-repository universe
sudo apt update
sudo apt install shutter
  • Open the app from the app launcher after installation. After that, you can click to access the system tray area at any time, located beneath it in the top-right corner.
  • After the app has been launched, click "Selection" to take a screenshot of the part of the screen, "Desktop" to take a snapshot of the entire window, and finally, "Window" to take a screenshot of a specific app window.
  • Next, press "Enter." It will immediately save the screenshot to the "Pictures" folder—no need to save it manually.
  • In a tabbed interface, the screenshots will also appear below the Shutter window (in case you have taken multiple screenshots). The screenshots can be further edited and exported to whatever location you like.

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Gimp

GIMP has a severe learning curve because it offers so many advanced capabilities. Therefore, GIMP is only a good choice if you need extensive editing. Search for GIMP on the Ubuntu Software website, then install it there. Your password will be requested by the system for verification. Your system will install GIMP in a matter of seconds.

Once finished, select Launch to launch the program. To capture a screenshot, choose File → Create → Screenshot.

Flameshot

Flameshot is the finest option if you're seeking an advanced screenshot program for Ubuntu. You can edit, comment, and highlight the screenshots in addition to taking screenshots. You can also upload screenshots with this application to websites like Imgur. On Wayland, though, users have reported "Unable to capture the screen" errors on Ubuntu 24.04.

The steps are listed below:

  • Launch the Terminal application, then enter the command listed below to install the Flameshot app:
sudo apt install flameshot
  • After installation, locate it in the top-right corner of the system tray and launch it from the app launcher. To take a screenshot, click the system tray icon and choose "Take Screenshot."
  • Use your mouse to select a window, a partial region, or the full-screen option.
  • The file can then be saved to the location of your choice by pressing "Ctrl + S." The screenshot is saved by default in the "Pictures" folder.
  • The best feature of Flameshot is the instantaneous editing and annotation of the screenshot. You can add a box, highlight particular passages, and do many more things.
Conceptual Flameshot annotation overlay with arrow, text label, blur tool, and hidden password on Ubuntu.

🔀 Wayland vs X11: Why Screenshot Apps Behave Differently

Ubuntu has used GNOME on Wayland by default for several releases. Wayland and X11 are the two display systems Ubuntu can run on. X11 let any app read the whole screen, but Wayland blocks that. Other apps have to ask for permission through xdg-desktop-portal. That's why you may see a permission prompt the first time Flameshot takes a screenshot, and why some apps don't work at all.

The built-in tool is part of GNOME Shell, so these limits don't affect it.

Not sure which session you're running? Check:

echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPE

It will print wayland or x11. On 22.04 and 24.04, you can choose "Ubuntu on Xorg" from the gear icon on the login screen if a tool you need only works on X11. Newer Ubuntu releases are removing that option.

🩺 Troubleshooting Ubuntu Screenshot Problems

Print Screen Key Does Nothing

  • On many laptops, the PrtSc key shares a key with another function. Try Fn + Print.
  • Go to Settings → Keyboard → View and Customize Shortcuts → Screenshots and check that the shortcuts haven't been changed or removed. Ubuntu lets you reassign any keyboard shortcut there.
  • Try the screenshot button in the system menu. If that works, the problem is the key, not the tool.
  • Another app, such as Flameshot, may have taken over the Print key. Remove that app's shortcut and try again.

Paste Doesn't Work

Some apps don't accept pasted images. To check whether the image was actually copied, paste it into GIMP via File → Create → From Clipboard.

gnome-screenshot or Flameshot Is Missing

Neither is installed by default on current Ubuntu. Install them with apt or from the App Center.

Third-Party Tools Fail on Wayland

Accept the permission prompts and update the app. If it still fails, use the built-in tool.

Remote Desktop and VMs

In a virtual machine or remote desktop session, your own computer often catches the Print key first. Use the screenshot button in the system menu of the remote machine or VM instead.

Version note: these steps apply to Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, 24.04 LTS and newer GNOME-based releases. To check your version, run lsb_release -a.

🎯 Conclusion

It is simple and trouble-free to take a screenshot in Ubuntu. Most of the time, the operating system's built-in tools are adequate for this. Only when used professionally are external instruments preferable. The screenshots can also be directly altered or commented on using these tools.

If you're managing an Ubuntu VPS server and RDP server for Ubuntu, taking screenshots remotely can be just as straightforward. Whether you're accessing your Ubuntu VPS or RDP setup via a terminal or GUI, the same tools and techniques apply. From the command line utilities to the graphical applications, you can capture and manage your screenshots effortlessly, even in a remote environment.

If you're setting up remote screenshots on an Ubuntu Server without a desktop environment, adding a GUI first makes the process much smoother — our guide on how to install a desktop (GUI) on an Ubuntu server covers GNOME, KDE, XFCE, and MATE with remote access through XRDP.

We hope one of these techniques will help you to snap screenshots on Ubuntu and finish your task efficiently, whether on a local machine or through a remote Ubuntu server.

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