GuidesHow to screen record on a Chromebook (with audio)

How to screen record on a Chromebook (with audio)

Chromebooks have a screen recorder built in. Here's how to use it with audio, and when a separate app is worth it.

ChromeOS has a screen recorder in its Screen capture tool. It records the full screen, part of the screen or one window, with sound and your camera.

Record your screen

  1. Press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows. On an external keyboard without that key, press Ctrl + Shift + F5. You can also open Quick Settings and select Screen capture.
  2. Select Screen record.
  3. Choose what to record: full screen, partial screen or a window.
  4. Start recording. To stop, select Stop recording in the shelf, or press Search + Shift + X.

The recording is saved to your Downloads folder and copied to the clipboard.

Record with audio and camera

Open the settings in the Screen capture bar before you start:

  • Audio: choose Device audio (sound from your Chromebook), Microphone, or Device audio and microphone.
  • Camera: turn on Front Camera to add your camera to the recording.
  • Clicks and keys: turn on Show clicks and keys for tutorials.

When the built-in recorder isn’t enough

The built-in recorder saves a .webm file with no editing. If you want a link you can send right after recording, comments from viewers, or trimming and cutting, use a browser-based recorder or a Chrome extension. The apps below work on Chromebooks.

The best screen recorder for Chromebook

  1. 8.5 as a screen recorder

    ScreenPal

    Best for low-cost recording and editing

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Browser
    • iPhone
    • Android
    • Free plan
    • No watermark
    • Share link
    • Webcam
    • System audio
    • Editor
    • 4K
    free recording
    15 min per video
    free watermark
    No
    price
    From $8/mo
    Read review of ScreenPal
  2. 8.4 as a video editor

    Microsoft Clipchamp

    Best free editor with no watermark

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Browser
    • Free plan
    • No watermark
    • Webcam
    • Editor
    free recording
    30 min per video
    free watermark
    No
    price
    From $9.99/mo
    Read review of Microsoft Clipchamp
  3. 8.2 as a video messaging tool

    Hippo Video

    Best for sales videos with real editing

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Browser
    • iPhone
    • Android
    • Free plan
    • Share link
    • Webcam
    • System audio
    • Editor
    free recording
    30 min per video
    free watermark
    Yes
    price
    From $30/mo
    Read review of Hippo Video

See all and filter

Frequently asked questions

Where do Chromebook screen recordings go?
To your Downloads folder by default. You can choose another folder under Select folder in the screen capture settings.
Can a Chromebook record the screen with sound?
Yes. In the screen capture settings, choose Device audio, Microphone, or Device audio and microphone.
What format are Chromebook screen recordings?
Video recordings are .webm files. A partial-screen recording can also be saved as a GIF, but GIFs don’t include audio or camera.