Snipping Tool is the default screenshot-capturing utility in Windows 10/11. Introduced first with Windows Vista, the Snipping Tool allows you to capture the entire screen, window, or a specific area on the screen.
In the latest Windows 10/11, the Snipping Tool has received some improvements. It now comes with a delay option using which you can capture the screen after a delay of up to 5 seconds. The feature comes in handy while capturing menus. Although the Snipping Tool does not support video capture in Windows 10, it offers a screen recording feature in the newest version of Windows 11.
Most PC users often use the Snipping Tool to capture screenshots. If you also often use the Snipping Tool, you might be interested in using keyboard shortcuts to capture the screen using Sniping Tool quickly.
While there is no dedicated keyboard shortcut out there to launch the Snipping Tool, you can create a keyboard shortcut to open the Snipping Tool either by creating a shortcut of Snipping Tool and then assigning a keyboard shortcut for it or by pining the Sniping Tool to the taskbar.
NOTE: We recommend you go through our Windows 10 Snipping Tool Tips and Tricks guide to learn more about the Snipping Tool.
Snipping Tool keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10
NOTE: Some of these keyboard shortcuts do not work in Windows 11. For Windows 11 shortcuts, please scroll down the page.
After launching the Snipping Tool, you can use the following keyboard shortcuts:
Windows logo + Shift + S – global hotkey to start a snip
Alt + M – Choose a snipping mode
Ctrl + S – Save the captured snip
Alt + N – Create a new snip using the last used mode
Ctrl + N – Create a new snip
Alt + D – Delay capture by 1-5 seconds
(After pressing Alt +D, you need to use the down arrow key to select the delay)
Shift + arrow keys – Move the cursor to select a rectangular snip area
Ctrl + C – Copy the captured snip to the clipboard
Esc – Cancel the snip selection
Ctrl + P – Print the snip
After capturing a screenshot, you can press the Alt key > press T > press P, H, or E to choose a pen, highlighter, or eraser, respectively.
Snipping Tool keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11
Windows logo + Shift + S – hotkey to start a snip from anywhere
Ctrl + N – Create a new snip
Alt + O – Select a snipping mode (after pressing Alt + O, use the up/down arrow keys to select a mode)
Alt + D – Delay capture by 1-10 seconds (after pressing Alt + D, use the up/down arrow keys to select a delay time)
Ctrl + O – Open a file
Ctrl + P – print a captured snip
Shift + arrow keys – Move the cursor to select a rectangular snip area (after starting a rectangular snip)
Esc – cancel a selected snip area
Alt + S – Save a captured snip
Alt + C – Copy a captured snip
Alt + H – Select highlighter
Alt + B – Select ballpoint pen
Alt + E – Select eraser
Alt + L – Select ruler
Alt + I – Select crop