Linux · Accessories
Scrot
Scrot is a command-line screenshot tool for Linux that captures screens, windows, or selections with minimal overhead.
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Latest version
- 2.0.0
What is Scrot?
Scrot is a lightweight, command-line screenshot utility originally developed for Unix-like systems. It has been around since the early 2000s and remains actively maintained, with steady updates across major distributions. It does one thing well: taking screenshots without a GUI or system tray clutter.
It's ideal for users who prefer keyboard-driven workflows, minimal resource usage, or scripting automation. System administrators, tiling window manager users, and those on minimal desktop environments often choose scrot for its simplicity and reliability.
Compared to Greenshot, scrot lacks annotation, upload features, and a visual editor. You won't find drag-and-drop or quick sharing. But if you want fast, scriptable captures without background processes, scrot feels lean and direct—closer to the metal.
Best for: Users who want fast, scriptable screenshots without a GUI.
Key features of Scrot
- Capture full screen, specific window, or selected region
- Delay timer for dropdown menus
- Supports PNG and JPEG formats
- Command-line only, no GUI
- Region selection via mouse
- Lightweight and fast
- Integrates with keyboard shortcuts
- Scriptable for automation
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Scriptable and automatable
- Available in all major distro repos
- No background processes
- Simple, predictable behavior
Cons
- No built-in editing or annotations
- No upload or share features
- Steeper learning curve for new Linux users
Windows programs Scrot replaces
How to install Scrot on Linux
sudo apt install scrotsudo apt install scrotsudo dnf install scrotsudo pacman -S scrotsudo zypper install scrotTips for Windows users
If you're used to Greenshot, you'll miss instant annotations and copy-to-clipboard. With scrot, you typically save to a file and use a separate tool like imagemagick or xclip to edit or copy. Set up custom keyboard shortcuts in your desktop environment or window manager to mimic familiar hotkeys. Use -s for selection, -d N for delay, and pipe output to image viewers or editors.
Scrot: frequently asked questions
How do I take a screenshot of a selected area with scrot?
Run 'scrot -s' and click and drag to select a region. The image will be saved in your current directory with a timestamped filename.
Can scrot copy screenshots to the clipboard?
Not directly. Use 'scrot -s /tmp/shot.png && xclip -selection clipboard -t image/png /tmp/shot.png' to capture and copy to clipboard.
Does scrot support PNG and JPEG?
Yes. Use '.png' or '.jpg' in the filename to control format. PNG is lossless; JPEG reduces file size.
How do I add a delay before taking a screenshot?
Use the '-d' flag followed by seconds, e.g., 'scrot -d 5' waits 5 seconds before capture.
Updated