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Take a website screenshot from a URL with Playwright
Playwright is a practical choice when you need a repeatable capture inside a script, test, or development workflow. The browser must load the page before it can capture what the browser rendered. The example below uses Chromium and saves a PNG file.
- Install Node.js and create a project folder.
- In that folder, run
npm init -y. - Install Playwright with
npm install playwright. - Save the following as
screenshot.js, replacing the example URL with the page you want. - Run
node screenshot.js. If navigation succeeds, the script writesscreenshot.pngin the current folder.
const { chromium } = require('playwright');
(async () => {
const browser = await chromium.launch();
try {
const page = await browser.newPage();
await page.goto('https://example.com');
await page.screenshot({ path: 'screenshot.png' });
} finally {
await browser.close();
}
})();This follows Playwright’s documented pattern of launching a browser, navigating a page to a URL, and saving a screenshot. Its Page API example uses WebKit and notes that Chromium or Firefox can also be used. Browser installation requirements can vary by Playwright release and environment; consult the current Page API documentation and the Playwright setup instructions for the version you install.
What the default capture includes
Without additional options, page.screenshot() captures the visible viewport, not the whole document. Its dimensions are determined by the page’s viewport. To control the viewport explicitly, create the page with options such as await browser.newPage({ viewport: { width: 1440, height: 900 } }). Choosing a consistent viewport is important when the image is used for visual comparison.
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Capture a full webpage, one element, or image bytes
Save the full scrollable page
Set fullPage: true to capture the full scrollable page as one tall image:
await page.screenshot({ path: 'full-page.png', fullPage: true });A very long page can produce a large image. If the site loads content only as it is scrolled into view, a single full-page capture may not include content that has not yet loaded. In that case, wait for the relevant content or deliberately scroll the page before capturing; the right approach depends on how the site implements lazy loading.
Capture a particular element
Use a locator’s screenshot method when you need a header, chart, product card, or other single element rather than the entire viewport:
await page.locator('.header').screenshot({ path: 'header.png' });Replace .header with a CSS selector that identifies the element on the target page. If the selector matches nothing, or the element is not ready, the capture cannot succeed as intended. Wait for the element and verify the selector against the page before taking the screenshot.
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When you omit path, Playwright returns image bytes instead of writing directly to a file. This is useful when another part of your application will store, upload, or process the capture:
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const imageBytes = await page.screenshot();
// Pass imageBytes to your storage or image-processing code.The returned bytes represent the screenshot; the destination and any later processing are up to your application.
Control the capture and make it repeatable
Playwright’s screenshot API includes options for format, clipping, transparent backgrounds, animation handling, and full-page capture. Exact option names and behavior can change across releases, so check the current API reference for the version in your project rather than relying on an old snippet.
- Choose the capture area: use the default viewport,
fullPage: true, or a locator screenshot according to what the image needs to show. - Set the rendering environment: keep browser type and version, viewport, operating system, and relevant settings consistent if captures will be compared.
- Control dynamic content: dates, rotating banners, animation, and personalized content can make two otherwise similar captures differ. Where appropriate, wait for the page’s required content and use the documented screenshot options for animation handling.
- Save or pass bytes: specify
pathfor a file, or omit it to receive bytes for downstream use.
Compare captures in Playwright Test
For visual regression checks, Playwright Test provides toHaveScreenshot(). The assertion waits until two consecutive screenshots yield the same result before comparing the capture with its baseline. That helps avoid comparing a page while it is still changing, but it does not make different machines render identically. Playwright warns that rendering can vary with host operating system, browser version, settings, hardware, power source, and headless mode. Keep the baseline and capture environment consistent, and manage dynamic page content that could add noise.
Choose local browser automation or a hosted screenshot API
Local Playwright is a good fit when you want browser-level control, need captures inside a test suite, or already run browser automation. You operate the browser runtime and code the capture workflow. A hosted API is another option for repeated captures or applications that should request an image without managing a local browser. Compare options by capture scope, format and viewport control, automation needs, and who operates the browser.
ScreenshotNeo is a website screenshot API and MCP server for developers. It is the first hosted option to try here because it removes known consent banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before the capture, bills only clean shots, and has a paid plan starting at $5 for 3,000 shots.
Or skip the browser setup
Send one GET request with the destination URL to get an image or PDF. This cURL example saves a WebP capture of Stripe; replace the target URL as needed. See the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for request options and response details.
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curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpKeep the API key private; do not expose it in public client-side code. ScreenshotNeo also provides equivalent request examples in Python and Node.js:
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import requests
r = requests.get(
"https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot",
params={"access_key": "YOUR_API_KEY", "url": "https://stripe.com"},
timeout=90,
)
open("shot.webp", "wb").write(r.content)const q = new URLSearchParams({ access_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY', url: 'https://stripe.com' });
const res = await fetch(`https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot?${q}`);ScreenshotNeo removes cookie banners, popups, and chat widgets before the shot; bot checks, blank pages, and failed loads are never billed. Its MCP server lets AI agents take screenshots. The Free plan includes 1,000 screenshots a month with no card, and paid plans start at $5 for 3,000. Every feature is available on every plan. Sign up for free and get 1,000 screenshots a month with no card.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot common screenshot problems
The script cannot launch the browser
Check that Playwright is installed in the project where the script runs and that its required browser is available in the environment. Follow the installation guidance for your Playwright version. In restricted build or server environments, browser dependencies or permissions may also need attention.
The screenshot is blank or shows an incomplete page
Confirm that navigation reached the intended URL and that the site’s content has rendered. Pages that fill in data after initial navigation may need a specific wait condition, such as waiting for a selector representing the content you need. A page’s initial load event does not necessarily mean every application request or image has completed.
The full-page image is missing lower-page content
Some pages load sections or images only when they approach the viewport. Wait for the specific content, or scroll through the page before capturing, then verify the result. Avoid assuming that a tall screenshot automatically triggers every site’s lazy-loading behavior.
The element capture fails
Check that the locator selector is valid and matches an element on the page. If the page builds the element asynchronously, wait for that locator before calling its screenshot method.
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- 16MP Sensor: Captures detailed photos with a CMOS sensor for everyday shooting
- Optical Zoom: 5x optical zoom with a 28mm wide angle lens for flexible framing indoors or outdoors
- Full HD Video: Records 1080p video for travel clips, family moments, or simple vlogging
- Memory Support: Works with Class 10 SD, SDHC, or SDXC cards up to 512GB
- LCD Screen and Battery: 2.7in LCD screen and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for on-the-go use
Visual test captures keep changing
Use toHaveScreenshot() for screenshot assertions, keep the browser and host environment consistent, and eliminate or control changing page content where possible. Differences can come from the rendering environment as well as from application changes.
Reliability, performance, and cost considerations
A local capture depends on starting and maintaining the browser runtime, loading the destination page, and writing or processing the output. For a small one-off job that may be straightforward; recurring or bulk work also means handling browser resources, failures, and the operating environment in your own application. A hosted API shifts browser operation to the service, while adding a network request and dependence on its API behavior and plan.
For either approach, treat the target URL as external input: validate that it is an acceptable destination for your application, set appropriate timeouts, and handle navigation or network failures. Save captures only when the page has reached the state your use case requires. If you need deterministic visual comparisons, stable browser and operating-system settings matter more than simply taking the screenshot repeatedly.
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Can I take a screenshot of a website without installing a browser automation package?
Yes. A hosted screenshot API can accept a URL and return an image or PDF, avoiding local browser setup. ScreenshotNeo is one such API; its GET endpoint and request details are documented at https://screenshotneo.com/docs/.
Can Playwright take a screenshot in a browser other than Chromium?
Yes. Playwright supports Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit. The documented Page API example uses WebKit.
Does Playwright save a screenshot directly as a PDF?
The Playwright screenshot API produces image captures. ScreenshotNeo’s endpoint can return a PDF as well as PNG, JPEG, or WebP.
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