For a crisp website screenshot in Playwright, set scale: "device" to save one image pixel per device pixel. Use scale: "css" when a smaller image with one pixel per CSS pixel is more useful. Then choose whether to capture the viewport, an element, or the full scrollable page. A high-DPI capture retains more output pixels; it cannot restore detail missing from the page’s original assets.
What Retina and high-DPI screenshot scale means
A webpage is laid out in CSS pixels. A device can represent each CSS pixel with multiple physical display pixels. In Playwright’s Page screenshot API, scale: "device" writes one image pixel per device pixel, while scale: "css" writes one per CSS pixel. The Page API documents device scale as its default; do not assume defaults match across Playwright interfaces, since its browser-tool screenshot guide documents CSS scale as the default. Check the API you are using. Playwright Page API · Playwright screenshot documentation
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For a layout that is 1,200 CSS pixels wide, a device scale factor of 2 can produce an image 2,400 pixels wide. The result has four times as many pixels overall if both dimensions double, so it may take more time, memory, storage, or bandwidth. The actual dimensions depend on the device scale factor and capture area.
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- Choose device scale for detailed inspection, high-density displays, or image assets that need additional output pixels.
- Choose CSS scale when matching CSS layout dimensions or keeping files smaller matters more than display-density detail.
- Neither setting makes a low-resolution source image sharper; output scaling does not add detail that the site does not provide.
Choose the screenshot area
Playwright supports viewport, element, and full-page captures. Full-page means the page’s scrollable content, not browser chrome. Playwright screenshot documentation
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- Ultra-thin bezel: Designed with a sleek, modern aesthetic and an ash white finish, this display features ultra-thin bezels for a refined, minimalist design.
| Capture | Use it for | Playwright option |
|---|---|---|
| Viewport | The visible page area at the configured viewport size | Default page screenshot |
| Element | A specific card, image, chart, or component | locator.screenshot() |
| Full page | The full scrollable page in one image | fullPage: true |
Capture a high-DPI screenshot with Playwright
Install Playwright and its Chromium browser, then save this as capture.mjs. It sets a 1,200-by-800 CSS-pixel viewport, explicitly uses device-pixel scale, waits for the page to load, and saves a PNG. Replace the URL with the page you want to capture.
- Install the package and browser:
npm install playwright, thennpx playwright install chromium. - Save and run the script with
node capture.mjs.
import { chromium } from 'playwright';
const browser = await chromium.launch({ headless: true });
try {
const page = await browser.newPage({
viewport: { width: 1200, height: 800 },
deviceScaleFactor: 2
});
await page.goto('https://example.com', { waitUntil: 'networkidle' });
await page.screenshot({
path: 'website-retina.png',
scale: 'device',
fullPage: true,
type: 'png'
});
} finally {
await browser.close();
}For CSS-pixel dimensions instead, change scale: 'device' to scale: 'css'. To capture only the current viewport, remove fullPage: true. To capture one element, use a locator:
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await page.locator('.product-card').screenshot({
path: 'product-card.png',
scale: 'device',
type: 'png'
});Replace .product-card with a selector that matches the element. If the selector does not identify an element, the capture will fail; wait for the target to appear when the page renders it asynchronously.
Pick format and compression deliberately
Playwright infers the screenshot type from the filename extension unless you specify type. PNG is lossless and has no quality setting. JPEG and WebP support quality controls; use a lossless format when compression artifacts would interfere with close visual inspection. See the Page screenshot options for the documented format and quality parameters.
Rank #3
- Improved ComfortView Plus: Reduces harmful blue light emissions to ≤35%, for all-day comfort without sacrificing color accuracy.
- Refresh rate: A smooth, tear-free experience with AMD FreeSync Premium (refresh rate up to 120Hz) and an ultra-low 0.03ms response time create a captivating experience for work and play.
- Vivid colors: Immerse yourself in 4K visuals with a VA panel. Enjoy true-to-life colors with 99% sRGB and 95% DCI-P3 coverage. The 1500:1 contrast ratio and HDR readiness deliver excellent depth and detail.
- Re-engineered sound quality: Enjoy more detailed sound with spacious audio featuring greater output power, deeper frequency response and more decibel range than the previous generation.
- Ultra-thin bezel: Designed with a sleek, modern aesthetic and an ash white finish, this display features ultra-thin bezels for a refined, minimalist design.
Keep interaction coordinates separate from image pixels
In Playwright’s documented CLI workflow, high-resolution screenshot output uses device pixels while mouse commands use CSS-pixel coordinates. A screenshot’s pixel coordinate is therefore not necessarily the coordinate to pass to an automation click. Convert using the device scale factor when relating image pixels to CSS coordinates, and follow the relevant command’s documented coordinate system. Playwright CLI screenshots and PDF
Command-line alternative with shot-scraper
shot-scraper documents a scale factor that multiplies output dimensions and a Retina shortcut that sets device scale factor to 2. For example, its documented Retina option can be used as follows:
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- QHD Resolution (2560 x 1440) has 1.7 times the pixel density of Full HD for incredibly detailed pinsharp images
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- AMD FreeSync reduces choppiness, screen lag and image tearing, ensuring that your fast-paced, complex in-game action is stable with minimal stutter
- Ergonomic stand allows for tilt, pivot and height adjustments to maximize gaming comfort
shot-scraper https://example.com --retina -o website-retina.pngCheck the installed version’s command help if option syntax differs, and inspect the saved image dimensions: doubling width and height means four times the pixel count. The tool’s documentation also describes a numeric scale factor. shot-scraper documentation
Or skip the browser setup
ScreenshotNeo is a website screenshot API and MCP server. A single GET request can return a PNG, JPEG, WebP, or PDF. This cURL example saves a WebP capture; see the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for request options, including Retina scale and other capture settings.
Best Value
- Low blue light: The improved ComfortView Plus reduces harmful blue light emissions to ≤35%, for all-day comfort without sacrificing color accuracy.
- Refresh rate: A smooth, tear-free experience with AMD FreeSync Premium (refresh rate up to 120Hz) and an ultra-low 0.03ms response time create a captivating experience for work and play.
- Vivid colors: Immerse yourself in breathtaking 4K visuals with in-plane switching technology. Enjoy vibrant colors with 99% sRGB. The 1500:1 contrast ratio and HDR readiness deliver excellent depth and detail.
- Re-engineered sound quality: Enjoy more detailed sound with spacious audio featuring greater output power, deeper frequency response and more decibel range than the previous generation.
- Easy connectivity: Keep your desk organized and clutter-free with a single USB-C cable (up to 65W power delivery).
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpCookie and consent banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets are removed before capture; each cleanup step can be turned off. Bot checks, blank pages, failed loads, timeouts, and cache hits are not billed, and response headers identify the page verdict and billing status. An MCP server provides screenshot tools for AI agents. The free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 screenshots. Learn about ScreenshotNeo, or sign up for 1,000 free screenshots a month with no card.
Troubleshooting blurry or oversized captures
- The image looks no sharper than before: Confirm the call uses
scale: "device", and check the output dimensions. The site’s source images or other assets may themselves be low resolution; a higher output scale cannot recreate missing detail. - The file is unexpectedly large: Device scale can multiply both dimensions, increasing pixel count substantially. Use CSS scale, capture an element or viewport instead of the whole page, or use JPEG/WebP quality settings when lossy compression is acceptable.
- Image coordinates do not line up with clicks: Do not use device-pixel screenshot coordinates as CSS-pixel mouse coordinates without converting. The documented CLI workflow uses those two coordinate spaces differently. Playwright CLI coordinate note
- The full-page result misses content: Check that the page has finished rendering and that lazy-loaded content has appeared before capture. Full-page capture covers scrollable page content, but capture timing and page behavior affect what is present.
- The element capture fails: Check that the CSS selector matches an element and wait for that element when it is rendered after navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Retina screenshot include the browser’s tabs and address bar?
No. Playwright’s page screenshot captures page content; full-page capture refers to the scrollable webpage, not browser chrome.
Will a device-scale screenshot improve every image on the website?
No. It increases screenshot output pixels according to device scale; it does not increase the resolution of the website’s original assets.
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