The basic way to copy on a Mac

To copy something on a Mac, select what you want, then press Command+C. That's it. Command is the key with the ⌘ symbol, usually to the left of your spacebar. Once you've copied, you can paste it somewhere else by pressing Command+V.

This works for text in documents, files in Finder, images, links — almost anything you can select. The thing you copied stays in your Mac's memory (called the clipboard) until you copy something else, so you can paste it multiple times if you need to.

If you're used to Windows, Command+C and Command+V are the Mac versions of Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V. The only difference is which key you press, but the idea is exactly the same.

Key Takeaways

  • Select what you want to copy, then press Command+C to copy it to your Mac's clipboard.
  • Press Command+V to paste what you copied into a document, email, or another location.
  • You can copy text, files, images, and links the same way — select first, then Command+C.
  • Your clipboard holds only one thing at a time, so copying something new replaces what was there before.
  • If Command+C doesn't work, try right-clicking and choosing Copy from the menu that appears.

Copying text from documents and websites

When you want to copy words from a document or webpage, click at the start of the text you want, then drag to the end. The text will turn blue or highlighted as you drag. Once it's selected, press Command+C.

If you want to copy a whole paragraph or section, triple-click on it — that selects the entire paragraph at once. For a whole page of text, press Command+A to select all, then Command+C to copy it.

Some websites and documents prevent copying for security reasons. If Command+C doesn't work, try right-clicking on the text and looking for a Copy option in the menu. If that doesn't appear either, the website or document has copying turned off and you'll need to type the text yourself or contact whoever controls it.

Copying files and folders in Finder

To copy a file or folder, click on it once in Finder to select it, then press Command+C. The file stays in its original location — copying doesn't move it. To paste it somewhere else, open the folder where you want it, then press Command+V.

You can select multiple files at once by holding Command and clicking each one, then copy them all together with Command+C. If the files are next to each other in a list, click the first one, hold Shift, and click the last one to select the whole group.

If you want to move a file instead of copying it (so it only exists in one place), you can cut it with Command+X instead of Command+C, then paste it with Command+V. The file will disappear from the old location and appear in the new one.

Using the right-click menu to copy

If you forget the keyboard shortcut, you can always right-click (or Control+click if your mouse has only one button) on what you want to copy. A menu will appear with Copy as one of the options. Click Copy, then right-click where you want to paste and choose Paste.

This method works the same way as the keyboard shortcut — it's just slower because you have to use the menu instead of pressing two keys. Most people use the keyboard shortcut once they remember it, but the menu is always there if you need it.

Copying images and links

To copy an image from a website or document, right-click on it and choose Copy from the menu. Then paste it into another document or email with Command+V. Some programs, like Mail or Pages, will paste the actual image. Others, like a text editor, might paste just the link to the image instead.

To copy a link from a webpage, right-click on the link and choose Copy Link. You can then paste it into an email, document, or chat to share it with someone. If you want to copy the web address from the address bar at the top of your browser, click on it to select it, then press Command+C.

What to do if copy and paste isn't working

If Command+C and Command+V aren't working, first check that you actually selected something before you pressed Command+C. Click on the text or file you want, make sure it turns blue or highlighted, then try Command+C again.

If that doesn't work, try using the right-click menu instead — right-click on what you want to copy and choose Copy. If the Copy option is greyed out or missing, the document or website has copying turned off.

If copy and paste stopped working suddenly, try restarting your Mac. Sometimes the clipboard gets stuck, and restarting clears it. Close all your programs, click the Apple menu in the top left, choose Shut Down, wait a few seconds, then turn your Mac back on.

Understanding the clipboard

Your Mac's clipboard is temporary storage that holds one thing at a time. When you press Command+C, whatever you copied goes into the clipboard. When you press Command+V, your Mac takes what's in the clipboard and pastes it where your cursor is.

The clipboard empties when you shut down your Mac, so if you copy something and then restart, that thing is gone. If you copy something new, it replaces what was in the clipboard before — you can only paste the most recent thing you copied.

If you need to keep multiple things copied at once, some people use clipboard managers (extra programs that store a history of everything you've copied), but for everyday use, the built-in clipboard is all you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy something and then paste it multiple times?

Yes. Once you copy something with Command+C, it stays in your clipboard until you copy something else. You can paste it as many times as you want by pressing Command+V in different places. The moment you copy something new, the old thing is replaced.

What's the difference between copy and cut on a Mac?

Copy (Command+C) leaves the original where it is and puts a duplicate in your clipboard. Cut (Command+X) removes the original and puts it in your clipboard. When you paste either one with Command+V, you get the same result — the thing appears where you pasted it. The difference is whether the original stays behind.

Why does copy work in some programs but not others?

Some websites and documents lock copying to protect their content. If Command+C doesn't work, the program or website has disabled it. You can try right-clicking to see if a Copy option appears, but if it doesn't, you'll need to type the content yourself or contact whoever controls it.

Does copying a file use up space on my Mac?

Copying a file creates a duplicate, so yes, it uses space. If you copy a 1 GB video file, you'll have two 1 GB files taking up 2 GB total. If you want to move a file without using extra space, use cut (Command+X) instead of copy, then paste it in the new location.

Can I copy something from my Mac and paste it on my iPhone?

Yes, if your devices are signed into the same iCloud account. Copy something on your Mac with Command+C, then on your iPhone, press and hold where you want to paste and choose Paste. This works for text, images, and links. It's called Universal Clipboard and it works automatically — you don't have to set it up.