How to see which window is active on a Mac

With two similar windows side by side it is hard to tell which one you are typing into. Ways to make the active window obvious on a Mac.

Guide · Updated 13 October 2026

Two browser windows, two terminals, two documents side by side. You start typing and it goes into the wrong one.

Built in hints

  • The active window's red, yellow and green buttons are coloured; inactive ones are grey.
  • The active window's shadow is deeper.
  • The app name in the menu bar is the active app.
  • Accessibility, Display, Increase contrast adds borders to windows.

A ring around the active window

ClutterFreeMac can draw a focus ring, a coloured outline, around the window you are in. Turn it on in Settings, Layout, and pick the colour. Combine it with Dim other windows if you want the difference to be unmistakable.

Questions

Can I put a border around the active window on a Mac?

Not with macOS settings alone. ClutterFreeMac can draw a coloured focus ring around it.

Read next