Print screen symbol

A rectangle with corner marks, standing for capturing the display.

Also known as: PrtScn

Everyday & digitalStandard profile

Meanings

A rectangle with emphasised corners marks the print screen key, which captures the display as an image. The name survives from the era when the key sent the screen's contents to a printer.

Common modern usageVerified fact
Marks the key that captures the contents of the display as an image file or to the clipboard.
Contexts: Software
Common modern usageVerified fact
Originally sent the characters on screen to an attached printer; the modern behaviour replaced that while keeping the name.
Contexts: Software

Visual description

A wide rectangle outline whose four corners are drawn as short right-angled brackets, suggesting a frame placed around what is being captured.

Symmetry: vertical
Orientation: upright

Part of the same system as: Num lock symbol
Both are used in software contexts.

Confidence

IdentityModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Visual matchModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.

Sources

Print Screen
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-08-01
Tertiary reference. Used for widely-agreed identity, origin and current use, not for contested detail or exact dates.

Last reviewed 2026-08-01

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Meanings

A rectangle with emphasised corners marks the print screen key, which captures the display as an image. The name survives from the era when the key sent the screen's contents to a printer.

Common modern usageVerified fact

Marks the key that captures the contents of the display as an image file or to the clipboard.

Contexts: Software

Common modern usageVerified fact

Originally sent the characters on screen to an attached printer; the modern behaviour replaced that while keeping the name.

Contexts: Software

Confidence

IdentityModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Visual matchModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.

Meanings

Visual description

Related & commonly confused symbols

Meanings

Visual description

Related & commonly confused symbols