Like symmetry and simplicity? Trying to position a window just right with equal space to all sides? You don’t have to do it by eye and manual movement. Find out here how to center a window on a Mac (using the title bar, the menu or a keyboard shortcut).
First, Centered as a Cucumber
A cucumber is no refrigerator.
It is a bit of a lake, though, made up of some 90% water or more. Like a mountain lake’s waters will stay refreshingly cool even on the hottest summer day, so will the inside of a cucumber. The water’s high specific heat capacity means it takes a long time to heat up (or cool down).
The alliterative simile cool as a cucumber alludes to that mountain lake effect, of course. So, let’s dive in and find the center… of the screen:
How to Center a Window on the Screen with a Mac
Using a Keyboard Shortcut
Time needed: 1 minute
To position a window centered on the screen (with equal distance to the right and left as we as to the top and bottom edges) on a Mac:
- Select the window you want to center.
- Press 🌐︎ Control C.
No globe key: Without a globe key (🌐︎) on the keyboard, use the Fn key (for Fn Control C).
Using the menu: You can also select Window | Center from the menu.
Using the Title Bar to Center a Window on a Mac
To center a window on the screen using its title bar on macOS:
- Hover with the mouse cursor over the window’s expansion button in the title bar.
- Wait for the option sheet to appear.
- Hold down Option.
- Click the centering option under Fill & Arrange.
How to Center a Window on a Mac: FAQ
Do menu bar and Dock count as the screen for centering?
No.
The menu bar and the Dock will be deducted from the space used for centering if they are permanently visible. A window will then be centered between the edges of Dock or menu bar respectively.
When either Dock or menu bar are set to hide, they are not considered when centering.
Can I resize the window and keep it centered?
Yes.
To resize a window proportionally along its center (so its center will remain fixed on screen and the window centered if it was originally centered, for example):
- Hold Option while you use one of the edges or corners to resize the window with the mouse.
(How to center a window on a Mac tested with macOS Sequoia 15.2; first published January 2025)