Unlike Windows or macOS, creating screen­shots in Linux works dif­fer­ently depending on the Linux version. In some Linux versions, you can do this by pressing [Print] or [PrtSc], op­tion­ally in com­bin­a­tion with the [Shift] or [Alt] key. The start menu of some Linux versions also contains a screen­shot function. Al­tern­at­ively, you can use tools like GIMP or Shutter. Here you will learn how the different methods work.

The best method for screen­shots depends on the Linux version

One of the reasons why it’s not always that easy to take a screen­shot in Linux is that not every version of the operating system has a cor­res­pond­ing function. However, there are pro­fes­sion­al tools for this case, which you can read more about below. Most of the versions, however, offer the pos­sib­il­ity to create a screen­shot in Linux even without ad­di­tion­al tools. Es­pe­cially for sporadic use, the simple keyboard shortcut is the most practical option.

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Create screen­shots in Linux with the [Print] key

The crucial key to take screen­shots in Linux is the [Print] key. This is - depending on your keyboard - labelled with the word ‘Print’, ‘Print Screen’ or ‘PrtSc’. You will find it on a con­ven­tion­al keyboard in the upper row, next to the [F12] key. The [Print] key is important for any kind of screen­shot in Linux. You now have several options:

  • [PrtSc]: If you just press the [Print] key, you will take a screen­shot of your entire screen in Linux. Depending on the setting and version, you will then either be prompted to select a des­tin­a­tion folder to save the image to, or the screen­shot will auto­mat­ic­ally end up in the images folder.
  • [PrtSc] + [Shift]: If you press the [Print] key and the [Shift] key at the same time, you can specify yourself which section of your screen should be pho­to­graphed. By dragging and clicking, you mark the cor­res­pond­ing area. The Linux screen­shot is then saved in the images folder.
  • [PrtSc] + [Alt]: If you combine the [PrtSc] and [Alt] keys, Linux will take a screen­shot of the currently active window. This image is also saved directly to the images folder.

Create screen­shots in Linux via the start menu

The second method of taking a screen­shot in Linux is also very simple and already provided for in many versions of the operating system. To do this, search for the word ‘Screen­shot’ in the Start menu. Now you can choose from several options. A picture of the whole screen, a specific area, or a window are possible. You can also set a delay if necessary and decide whether the cursor should remain in the image and whether it should be given a frame.

Image: Ubuntu app for screenshots in Linux
A handy screen­shot tool is pre-installed in the Linux dis­tri­bu­tion Ubuntu.

GIMP: A practical and free tool

Should you have a few more re­quire­ments for your screen­shots in Linux, a slightly more pro­fes­sion­al screen­shot tool is re­com­men­ded. GIMP is a free program that is also pre-installed in some versions of Linux. Al­tern­at­ively, the program is available in the Software Center. After in­stall­a­tion, proceed as follows:

  1. First click on ‘File’, then on ‘Create’ and ‘Screen­shot...’.
  2. Now select what kind of screen­shot you want to take in Linux. The choices are: an image of the entire screen, a single window, or a selected area.
  3. If necessary, now set a delay to arrange the image first in peace.
  4. Now press ‘Snap’. Then the Linux screen­shot will be created.
Image: GIMP screenshot feature
GIMP image editing software also has a function to take screen­shots in Linux.

Shutter: The pro­fes­sion­al al­tern­at­ive

Another popular method to take screen­shots in Linux is Shutter. You install the program from the Software Center as well. Shutter offers you more options. Basically, you take the screen­shot in Linux in the same way as with the previous methods. However, after that you have the option to add shadows or wa­ter­marks, add comments to the image or make changes through an editor. This is useful if you want to use the screen­shots in Linux for pro­fes­sion­al purposes.

Image: Shutter screenshot software
Shutter lets you take screen­shots in Linux quickly and easily.

Con­clu­sion: In Linux, screen­shots can be made quickly and easily

In Linux, screen­shots are supported as well. If you only need them sporad­ic­ally or for personal purposes, the pre-installed options are ab­so­lutely suf­fi­cient. In a pro­fes­sion­al context, programs like Shutter offer you useful ad­di­tion­al functions that make your everyday work easier.

Tip

Do you also use other operating systems? Learn how to create screen­shots on Windows 10 and screen­shots on Windows 11 or how screen­shot creation on Mac works.

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