The basic method: right-click and copy
To copy a picture on a Chromebook, right-click on the image and select Copy image from the menu that appears. Then open the program or document where you want to paste it — Google Docs, Gmail, a Google Slide, or another process — right-click in the blank space, and select Paste. The image will appear where your cursor was.
This works for pictures you find on websites, images in your email, or photos stored in Google Drive. The image stays in your clipboard (the temporary holding area on your device) until you copy something else or restart your Chromebook, so you can paste the same picture multiple times if you need to.
If right-clicking does not work on your Chromebook touchpad, try pressing and holding with two fingers instead, or use the keyboard shortcut: press Ctrl and Alt together while clicking the image once with your touchpad.
Key Takeaways
- Right-click any image and choose Copy image, then right-click where you want it and choose Paste.
- If your Chromebook touchpad does not respond to right-click, hold two fingers on the pad or use Ctrl+Alt while clicking.
- You can paste the same copied image into multiple documents without copying it again.
- Copying a picture does not remove it from the website or email where you found it — you are only making a copy.
- If paste is grayed out or does not work, the program you are using may not support images, or the image may be protected.
Copying images from websites
When you find a picture on a website you want to use elsewhere, right-click directly on the image itself. A small menu will pop up with several options. Look for Copy image — this is different from Copy link to image, which only copies the web address, not the actual picture.
After you copy the image, switch to the document or email where you want to paste it. Google Docs, Google Slides, Gmail, and most other web-based programs on a Chromebook will accept pasted images. Click in the spot where you want the image to go, then right-click and select Paste. The image will appear at that location.
Some websites prevent copying images directly. If the right-click menu does not show a copy option, or if the menu does not appear at all, the website owner has restricted that image. In those cases, you may need to read the image instead, which saves it to your Chromebook's Files app rather than your clipboard.
Copying images from email and Google Drive
Pictures attached to emails in Gmail work the same way: right-click the image in the email message and select Copy image. You can then paste it into a document, a reply email, or anywhere else you need it.
For images stored in Google Drive, open the file and right-click the picture. Select Copy image just as you would on a website. This is useful when you have a folder of photos or screenshots and want to insert them into multiple documents without downloading them first.
If you are copying from a Google Drive folder view (where you see thumbnails of files), right-click the thumbnail and select Preview to open the image in full size first. Then right-click the larger image and copy it. Copying from the thumbnail view may not work the same way.
Using keyboard shortcuts instead of right-click
If your Chromebook touchpad is difficult to use or you prefer keyboard shortcuts, you can copy and paste images without right-clicking. First, click once on the image to select it (a border or highlight will appear around it). Then press Ctrl and C together to copy.
Next, click in the document or email where you want to paste the image and press Ctrl and V together. The image will paste at that location. This method works in Google Docs, Google Slides, Gmail, and most other web applications on a Chromebook.
Some programs may require you to click once to select the image and then use the keyboard shortcut, while others let you copy without selecting first. If one method does not work, try the other — the right-click menu is usually the most reliable option.
What to do if paste is not working
If you copied an image but the paste option is grayed out or nothing happens when you paste, the program you are using may not support images. Text-only applications like Google Keep (the notes app) or some older web tools cannot accept pasted pictures. Try pasting into Google Docs or Google Slides instead, which both handle images well.
Another reason paste might not work is that your clipboard is empty. This can happen if you copied something else after copying the image, or if your Chromebook restarted. straightforward copy the image again and try pasting right away.
If you are trying to paste into an email draft in Gmail, make sure you are in the message body itself, not in the subject line or recipient field. Click in the white space where your message text goes, then right-click and paste. Some email programs also have a small image icon in the toolbar that lets you insert pictures — look for a picture frame or mountain symbol.
Downloading images instead of copying
Sometimes you may want to save an image to your Chromebook's storage rather than just copying it to your clipboard. Right-click the image and select Save image as. A dialog box will appear asking where you want to save the file. By default, Chromebooks save to the Downloads folder, but you can choose a different location if you have created folders in your Files app.
Downloaded images stay on your Chromebook permanently (until you delete them), while copied images disappear from your clipboard once you copy something else. If you think you will need the image again later, downloading is a better choice than copying.
You can also open the Files app on your Chromebook, navigate to your Downloads folder, and see all the images you have saved. From there, you can move them into organized folders, rename them, or delete them.
Copying images between Chromebook apps
The copy-and-paste method works between different Chromebook applications just as it does between websites. If you have an image open in Google Photos, you can right-click it, copy it, and then paste it into a Google Doc or an email. The process is identical.
One useful trick: if you take a screenshot on your Chromebook (press Ctrl and Show Windows together, or Ctrl and Shift and 5 on some models), the screenshot is automatically copied to your clipboard. You can paste it when ready into any document without needing to right-click or use keyboard shortcuts. A notification will appear in the corner of your screen confirming the screenshot was taken.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does copying a picture delete it from the website where I found it?
No. Copying only makes a duplicate in your clipboard. The original image stays on the website, in the email, or in Google Drive exactly as it was. You are not removing or changing anything — you are just making a copy for your own use.
Can I copy multiple images at once?
Not with the standard copy-and-paste method. You can only copy one image at a time. If you need multiple images, copy and paste them one by one, or read them all to your Files app and then insert them into your document.
What if the image is very large and takes a long time to paste?
Large image files may take a few seconds to paste, especially if your internet connection is slow. Wait a moment after pasting before clicking elsewhere. If the paste seems stuck, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the document. You can also try downloading the image instead, which sometimes works faster than pasting.
Can I copy images from a PDF on my Chromebook?
Yes. Open the PDF in Google Chrome or another browser, right-click the image inside the PDF, and select Copy image. Then paste it as you normally would. If the PDF is in Google Drive, you can also preview it and copy images from the preview.
Why does my Chromebook sometimes ask for permission before pasting?
Some websites and applications ask for permission to access your clipboard for security reasons. A small popup will appear asking if you want to allow pasting. Click Allow to proceed. This is a safety feature to prevent websites from secretly reading what you have copied.