Screenshot a YouTube video frame by frame: keys and steps
November 3, 2026 · 2 min read
To screenshot a YouTube video frame by frame, pause it with K, then press . (period) to move to the next frame or , (comma) to go back one frame. When the frame you want is on screen, take a screenshot with your system’s shortcut, for example Windows + Shift + S on Windows or Cmd + Shift + 4 on a Mac.
YouTube frame-by-frame keys
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
| K | Pause or play |
| . (period) | Next frame, while paused |
| , (comma) | Previous frame, while paused |
| > | Speed up playback |
These come from YouTube’s keyboard shortcut list, which you can also open in the player with Shift + ?. The frame keys only work while the video is paused.
Screenshot YouTube frame by frame, step by step
- Play the video until you’re close to the moment you need, then press K to pause.
- Press . or , to step one frame at a time until the frame is right.
- Move the mouse off the video so the controls and title fade out. Press F for full screen if you want a bigger image.
- Take the screenshot with an area or full-screen shortcut.
Screenshot shortcut for your computer
Pick your computer and what you want to capture.
Get a sharper frame
- Set the video quality to the highest available in the settings menu before you pause.
- Use full screen, so the frame covers more screen pixels.
- Save as PNG. More in PNG vs JPG for screenshots.
If the screenshot comes out black
Some video services can block screenshots of protected content, so the capture shows a black rectangle instead of the video. If that happens, the service doesn’t allow capturing that video.
Before you share a frame
A frame from someone else’s video is their work. Reusing it in your own content may need the creator’s permission. To send it, see how to send a screenshot.
Full page screenshot captures whole web pages in Chrome, such as a video’s description and comments, but it isn’t made for capturing video frames. For frames, use the system shortcuts above.
Questions people ask
How do I go frame by frame on YouTube?
Pause the video, then press . for the next frame and , for the previous one.
Why don’t the comma and period keys work?
The video has to be paused, and the keys don’t work while you’re typing in the search or comment box. Click outside those fields and try again.
Can I screenshot a YouTube video on my phone?
Yes, with your phone’s screenshot buttons. The frame-by-frame keys are for the desktop player with a keyboard.