How to copy and paste on Mac
Copy or cut text or other items from one location, then paste in another location. These methods work in most apps.
Paste, or paste and match style
If you can't cut, copy or paste
Copy or cut
Start by selecting the text or other item to be copied or cut. Then use one of these steps to save the item to your Clipboard so that it can be pasted elsewhere.
Copy
Press Command-C on your keyboard to copy the selected item.
Or choose Copy from the Edit menu in the menu bar.
Or Control-click (or right-click) the item you selected, then choose Copy from the shortcut menu.
Cut
Press Command-X on your keyboard to cut the selected item.
Or choose Cut from the Edit menu in the menu bar.
Or Control-click (or right-click) the item you selected, then choose Cut from the shortcut menu.
Paste, or paste and match style
First click to place your insertion point, then use one of these steps to paste your copied item at that location.
Paste
Press Command-V on your keyboard to paste the item you cut or copied.
Or choose Paste from the Edit menu in the menu bar.
Or Control-click (or right-click) the item you selected, then choose Paste from the shortcut menu.
Paste and Match Style
When you paste and match style, the pasted item matches the font, colour, size or other style of the surrounding content.
Press Option-Shift-Command-V on your keyboard to paste the item you cut or copied.
Or choose Paste and Match Style from the Edit menu in the menu bar.
If you can't cut, copy or paste
Each app determines which items it can cut, copy or paste, and when and where those actions are possible in the app. When cut, copy or paste isn't possible, its menu item is dimmed so that you can't choose it or use its keyboard shortcut.
For some items, such as files or folders, you may have the option to delete or move to the Bin, but not the option to cut. To move items, you may be able to drag and drop instead.
Learn more
If you're using a keyboard made for Windows PCs and it doesn't have a Command ⌘ key, try using the Ctrl key or Windows logo key instead.
If you also press and hold the Control key while taking a screenshot, the screenshot is saved to the Clipboard, ready to be pasted.
Find out how to copy and paste on iPhone or copy and paste on iPad. You can also use Universal Clipboard to copy and paste between your Mac, iPhone and iPad.
