The fastest way to copy an image on a Chromebook
Right-click the image you want to copy, then select Copy image from the menu that appears. The image is now stored in your clipboard — the temporary holding space where your Chromebook keeps things you've copied. You can then paste it into another program by right-clicking in a document, email, or image editor and selecting Paste.
This works the same way whether the image is on a website, in your Files app, or in an email. The right-click menu is the quickest route for almost any image you encounter on your Chromebook.
If you're using a trackpad without a right-click button, press two fingers on the trackpad at the same time, or hold Alt and click once. Both do the same thing as a right-click.
Key Takeaways
- Right-click any image and select Copy image to store it in your clipboard, then paste it anywhere with Ctrl+V or right-click and select Paste.
- Two-finger trackpad press or Alt+click works the same as right-click if your Chromebook trackpad doesn't have a dedicated right-click button.
- Copying an image from a website keeps only the image itself, not the webpage it came from.
- If you need to save an image permanently to your Chromebook, use Save image as instead of Copy image, which stores it in your Downloads folder.
The difference between copying and saving an image
Copying puts the image in your clipboard temporarily — it stays there until you copy something else or restart your Chromebook. Saving stores the image as a file on your Chromebook that you can find later in your Downloads folder or Files app.
Use Copy image when you want to paste the image into a document, email, or another program right away. Use Save image as when you want to keep the image on your Chromebook for later use. If you copy an image and then restart your Chromebook without pasting it, the image is lost.
Copying images from websites
When you right-click an image on a website and select Copy image, you're copying only the image file itself. The website address, the text around it, and any other page details stay behind — only the picture goes into your clipboard.
Some websites block right-click copying as a way to protect their images. If the right-click menu doesn't appear or doesn't show a Copy option, the website owner has disabled it. In that case, you can usually save the image instead by selecting Save image as, or you can take a screenshot of the image and crop it to size.
Pasting images into documents and emails
After you copy an image, open the document, email, or program where you want to paste it. Right-click in the space where you want the image to appear and select Paste. The image will appear at that location.
You can also paste with the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V, which is faster than using the right-click menu. This works in Google Docs, Gmail, Google Sheets, and most other programs on your Chromebook.
If Paste is grayed out or doesn't work, it usually means you haven't copied anything yet, or you copied something else after the image. Go back and copy the image again, then paste when ready.
Copying images from your Files app
Images stored on your Chromebook in the Files app work the same way as images on websites. Right-click the image file and select Copy image. Then navigate to where you want to paste it and use Ctrl+V or right-click and select Paste.
If you want to move an image from one folder to another instead of just copying it, you can also drag and drop it. Click and hold the image, then drag it to the destination folder. This moves the file rather than leaving a copy behind.
Troubleshooting when copy doesn't work
If the Copy image option doesn't appear in your right-click menu, the image might not be a standard image file. Some websites use special formats or protection that prevents copying. Try saving the image instead, or take a screenshot and crop it.
If you pasted an image but it doesn't appear, check that you pasted in the right location. Some programs don't accept pasted images — for example, you can't paste an image directly into a plain text file, but you can paste it into Google Docs or Gmail. If the program supports images, try copying the image again and pasting when ready.
If your trackpad isn't responding to two-finger clicks, make sure both fingers are touching the trackpad at the same time. Some trackpads require a brief pause before recognizing the two-finger press.
Using keyboard shortcuts to copy faster
Once you've right-clicked and selected Copy image, you don't need to use the menu again. Press Ctrl+C to copy the image (though right-click and Copy image is more reliable), and Ctrl+V to paste it anywhere. These shortcuts work across all programs on your Chromebook.
If you copy multiple images in a row, each new copy replaces the previous one in your clipboard. Your Chromebook stores only one copied item at a time, so if you need to paste the same image in multiple places, paste it all at once before copying something else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy an image from a Google search result?
Yes. Right-click the image in your search results and select Copy image. You can then paste it into a document or email. This works for any image that appears on a webpage, whether it's in search results, on a news site, or in a social media feed.
What happens to an image after I copy it?
The image stays in your clipboard until you copy something else or restart your Chromebook. If you restart without pasting it, the image is lost. To keep an image permanently, save it to your Downloads folder instead of just copying it.
Can I copy multiple images at once?
No. Your Chromebook clipboard holds only one item at a time. Copy one image, paste it, then copy the next one. If you need to use multiple images together, save them all to your Downloads folder first, then open them from there.
Why does the right-click menu not show a Copy option?
The website owner may have blocked right-click copying to protect their images. Try saving the image instead by selecting Save image as, or take a screenshot and crop it. Some image formats also don't support copying through the right-click menu.
Can I copy an image from an email on my Chromebook?
Yes. Right-click the image in your Gmail or other email program and select Copy image. Then paste it into a document or another email the same way you would paste any other image.