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For a quick webpage-to-PDF capture, run Chrome headless with --print-to-pdf:
chrome --headless --print-to-pdf "https://example.com/"Chrome saves output.pdf in the current working directory. Add --no-pdf-header-footer to omit the printed date, URL, and page-number header and footer. For scripted jobs that need paper size, margins, page ranges, or custom waits, use Playwright instead.
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Save a URL as a PDF with Chrome Headless
Chrome’s documented headless command-line option prints the target page to a PDF named output.pdf in the current working directory. The reference was last updated October 21, 2024. See the Chrome Headless command-line reference for current details.
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chrome --headless --print-to-pdf "https://example.com/"To suppress the printed header and footer, including the URL, date/time, and page numbers, use:
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chrome --headless --print-to-pdf --no-pdf-header-footer "https://example.com/"The command assumes Chrome is installed and its executable is available as chrome in your shell. Binary names and installation steps vary by operating system and package. If the command is not found, locate the installed browser executable or use the Playwright workflow below.
Choose the output location
Chrome writes output.pdf to the current directory. Run the command from the directory where you want the file, then confirm that the PDF was created. The documented command does not show a custom output-path option; use Playwright with a path setting when you need to name a destination explicitly.
Set a capture time
Chrome’s --timeout=<milliseconds> sets the maximum wait before capture, even if the page is still loading. For example, the documentation uses --timeout=5000 as an example of waiting up to five seconds:
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chrome --headless --print-to-pdf --virtual-time-budget=42000 "https://example.com/"These controls affect capture timing; they do not guarantee that every network request, image, or other page element has finished loading.
Use Playwright for repeatable PDF jobs
Choose Playwright when PDF generation belongs in a script or when you need direct control over paper format, margins, orientation, page ranges, print backgrounds, or CSS page sizing. Its page.pdf() API uses print CSS by default. If you want the page rendered with screen media before printing, emulate screen media first. Consult the Playwright Page API reference for options and signatures.
Minimal Node.js example
Install Playwright in your project and install a supported browser as described in its browser documentation. Then save this as a JavaScript file and run it with Node.js:
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(async () => {
const browser = await chromium.launch();
try {
const page = await browser.newPage();
await page.goto('https://example.com/', { waitUntil: 'load' });
await page.pdf({
path: 'page.pdf',
format: 'A4',
printBackground: true,
margin: {
top: '12mm',
right: '12mm',
bottom: '12mm',
left: '12mm'
}
});
} finally {
await browser.close();
}
})();The example saves page.pdf in the working directory, uses A4 paper, prints background graphics, and sets 12 mm margins. Change the URL, path, and settings to suit the job. The API also supports orientation, page ranges, and preferCSSPageSize. By default, Playwright applies print CSS and may modify colors for printing; CSS -webkit-print-color-adjust can be used when exact colors are needed.
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Wait for page-specific content
A successful navigation does not necessarily mean a site’s dynamic content is ready for printing. When a page has a known element that appears after its content loads, wait for that element before calling page.pdf():
await page.goto('https://example.com/', { waitUntil: 'load' });
await page.locator('#main-content').waitFor({ state: 'visible' });
await page.pdf({ path: 'page.pdf', format: 'A4' });Replace #main-content with a selector that exists on the target page. A fixed delay can be used when there is no reliable selector, but it may waste time or still be too short; verify the resulting PDF.
Check browser consistency
Playwright distinguishes its bundled Chromium/headless shell from branded Chrome or Edge, and headless behavior can differ. If output must match a particular deployment environment, identify the browser channel in your automation and inspect the PDF there. The Playwright browser documentation explains browser options.
Alternative: wkhtmltopdf
wkhtmltopdf is a standalone command-line utility for converting a URL or HTML document to PDF. Its project describes it as a headless utility using the Qt WebKit rendering engine. That is a different rendering engine from current Chrome, so do not assume the layout, CSS, or dynamic-page behavior will match. Test it against the pages you need to convert before relying on it.
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Make the PDF match the page you need
Browser-generated PDFs use print layout rules, so a PDF is not necessarily a pixel-identical copy of what appears in the browser viewport. Print styles may change colors, hide elements, or rearrange content. Choose the tool and settings based on whether you need a document-style printout or a visual capture.
- Headers and footers: Chrome’s
--no-pdf-header-footerremoves the printed header and footer. In Playwright, configure the PDF options appropriate to the desired output. - Paper size and margins: Use Playwright’s paper-format and margin options for explicit control.
- Backgrounds and colors: Enable print backgrounds when needed; print CSS and browser color adjustment can still affect appearance.
- Page ranges and orientation: Use Playwright’s PDF options when you need selected pages or landscape output.
- Lazy or dynamic content: Wait for a site-specific condition or adjust capture timing, then inspect the saved file.
Common problems and fixes
The shell says the Chrome command cannot be found
The executable may not be installed, may not be on the shell’s PATH, or may use a different name on your operating system. Check the browser installation and invoke its actual executable, or use Playwright with a browser installed for the project.
The PDF is missing images or page content
The page may load content after initial navigation, use lazy loading, or still be waiting on network activity. Increase Chrome’s capture wait where appropriate, use a virtual-time budget for time-dependent scripts, or wait for a meaningful page selector in Playwright. Neither a timeout nor virtual time guarantees completion of all site activity.
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PDF generation follows print layout behavior, including print CSS. Check the page’s print styles, Playwright’s print settings, and the browser used to generate the file. If the task requires a close match to screen rendering, Playwright can emulate screen media before printing, but the final PDF should still be checked in the environment that will produce it.
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The command finishes but the output is not where expected
Chrome’s documented command writes output.pdf to the current working directory. Check the directory from which the command ran. For a chosen filename or destination path, use Playwright’s PDF path option.
A page requires login or interaction
A single command may not reproduce content that depends on an authenticated session, a user action, or site-specific loading. The appropriate handling depends on the website. Do not assume a general URL-to-PDF command can bypass access requirements or perform arbitrary interactions.
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ScreenshotNeo can return a PDF from one GET request, without installing or managing a browser in your script. Its API also accepts options for PDF paper size, margins, landscape orientation, and page ranges. See the ScreenshotNeo documentation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I save a webpage as a PDF without opening a browser window?
Yes. Chrome’s headless mode and Playwright can generate PDFs from the command line or a script without a visible browser window.
Does a webpage PDF preserve the exact screen appearance?
Not necessarily. Browser PDF generation uses print layout rules, which can differ from the screen layout.
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