How to Take a Screenshot on Linux

Taking a screenshot on Linux is incredibly easy, but the method you use can depend on which distribution and desktop environment you’re running. Whether you’re using GNOME, KDE Plasma, Xfce, or even working from the terminal, there are several ways to capture your screen or a specific window. In this guide, we’ll cover different methods for taking screenshots on Linux, from simple key shortcuts to advanced screenshot utilities.

Let’s explore how to quickly and easily capture your screen in Linux!

1. Using Keyboard Shortcuts (GNOME and KDE)

The most common method for taking screenshots on Linux is using keyboard shortcuts. This method works across many desktop environments like GNOME and KDE Plasma.

GNOME Keyboard Shortcuts:

• Print Screen (PrtSc): Captures the entire screen and saves it to your Pictures folder.
• Shift + Print Screen: Captures a selected area of the screen.
• Alt + Print Screen: Captures the currently active window.

KDE Plasma Keyboard Shortcuts:

KDE Plasma uses Spectacle, a built-in screenshot tool.

• Print Screen (PrtSc): Opens Spectacle to capture the entire screen.
• Shift + Print Screen: Opens Spectacle to capture a selected area.
• Alt + Print Screen: Captures the current active window using Spectacle.

Once captured, the screenshot can be saved, copied to the clipboard, or directly shared.

2. Using the GNOME Screenshot Tool

If you’re using a GNOME-based desktop environment, you have a built-in screenshot utility that makes capturing and managing screenshots a breeze.

How to Access GNOME Screenshot:

1. Press Alt + F2 to open the command launcher.
2. Type gnome-screenshot and press Enter.

Alternatively, you can find it in your applications menu under Accessories or Utilities.

GNOME Screenshot Options:

• Take Screenshot of the Entire Screen: Captures your full desktop.
• Take Screenshot of a Window: Select a specific window to capture.
• Take Screenshot of a Selected Area: Choose an area on the screen to capture.

Once taken, you can choose where to save the screenshot, or it can automatically save it to your Pictures folder.

3. Using Spectacle on KDE Plasma

KDE Plasma users can take advantage of Spectacle, a powerful and feature-rich screenshot tool.

How to Use Spectacle:

1. Open Spectacle from the application menu or by pressing the Print Screen key.
2. Choose your capture mode: entire screen, active window, or selected area.
3. Click Take a New Screenshot.

Spectacle also provides options to delay the screenshot, which is useful when you need to set up something on your screen before capturing it.

After taking the screenshot, you can save it, copy it to the clipboard, or even directly share it using various services.

4. Using Flameshot for Advanced Features

If you’re looking for a more advanced screenshot tool with features like annotations, drawing, and uploading directly to the cloud, Flameshot is a great option. Flameshot is a popular third-party utility that works on most Linux distributions.

Installing Flameshot:

• On Ubuntu/Debian-based systems:sudo apt install flameshot
• On Fedora/RHEL-based systems:sudo dnf install flameshot
• On Arch-based systems:sudo pacman -S flameshot

Using Flameshot:

Once installed, you can launch Flameshot from your applications menu or by typing flameshot in your terminal.

To take a screenshot:

1. Run Flameshot from the terminal by typing flameshot gui or bind it to the Print Screen key.
2. Select the area you want to capture.
3. Use the toolbar to annotate, highlight, or blur parts of the screenshot.
4. Save, copy, or upload the screenshot to the cloud.

Flameshot offers customizable shortcuts and options for those who need more control over their screenshot workflow.

5. Taking Screenshots from the Terminal

For those who prefer the terminal, there are tools like scrot (short for “screen shot”) that allow you to take screenshots directly from the command line.

Installing scrot:

• On Ubuntu/Debian-based systems:sudo apt install scrot
• On Fedora/RHEL-based systems:sudo dnf install scrot
• On Arch-based systems:sudo pacman -S scrot

Using scrot to Take Screenshots:

To capture the entire screen:

scrot my_screenshot.png

To capture a specific window or area:

scrot -s my_screenshot.png

The screenshot will be saved in your current directory. You can also set delays or additional options, such as:

scrot -d 5 delayed_screenshot.png

This command will take a screenshot after a 5-second delay, which is useful when you need to set up the screen beforehand.

6. Using Xfce Screenshooter

If you’re using an Xfce-based environment, such as Xubuntu, you can use the Xfce Screenshooter, a simple and lightweight tool for taking screenshots.

How to Use Xfce Screenshooter:

1. Open Screenshooter from the application menu or press Print Screen.
2. Choose whether to capture the entire screen, a window, or a selected area.
3. Click Take Screenshot.

Xfce Screenshooter also offers the ability to delay the screenshot, similar to Spectacle.

Conclusion

Taking screenshots on Linux is incredibly flexible and varies slightly depending on the desktop environment you’re using. Whether you prefer keyboard shortcuts, built-in tools like GNOME Screenshot and Spectacle, or advanced utilities like Flameshot, Linux provides a wide range of options to capture your screen effectively.

Whether you’re grabbing a quick snapshot or creating a tutorial with annotations, Linux has you covered. Now you can easily take and manage your screenshots with confidence, no matter which Linux distro you’re using.