GNOME Screenshot

What is GNOME Screenshot?

GNOME Screenshot provides basic screen capture functionality with minimal overhead. It has been part of the GNOME desktop since version 3.4, replacing older methods like using PrintScreen directly. It's mature, stable, and tightly integrated with GNOME, relying on underlying tools like Mutter and GTK for functionality.

It's best suited for users who need simple, no-frills screenshots—full screen, window, or selection. If you don't need annotation, upload, or scheduled captures, this tool covers the essentials. It’s ideal for casual users or those who prefer keyboard shortcuts over GUIs.

Compared to Greenshot, it feels more basic—no built-in editor, uploader, or plugin system. You can’t annotate directly or send to Word or email with one click. But it starts quickly, works reliably, and doesn’t clutter your workflow if you only need to grab and save.

Best for: Users who want a simple, reliable screenshot tool without extra features.

Key features of GNOME Screenshot

• Capture full screen, active window, or selected area
• Delay timer (5 or 10 seconds)
• Automatic file naming and saving to disk
• Keyboard shortcuts integrated with GNOME
• Supports PNG and JPEG formats
• Minimal GUI with save and copy options
• Clipboard support for direct pasting

Tips for Windows users

If you're used to Greenshot, you’ll miss the editor and quick save locations. GNOME Screenshot saves to ~/Pictures by default and uses standard shortcuts: PrintScreen, Alt+PrintScreen, Shift+PrintScreen. For editing, you’ll need to open the image in another app like GIMP or Shotwell. Use 'Copy to clipboard' if you plan to paste directly into a document.