To download an html2canvas render as a PNG, wait for html2canvas() to return a canvas, convert it with canvas.toDataURL('image/png'), assign the data URL to an anchor, set a .png filename, and click that anchor:
html2canvas(element).then(canvas => {
const link = document.createElement('a');
link.download = 'screenshot.png';
link.href = canvas.toDataURL('image/png');
link.click();
});Here, element is the DOM node you want to render. The download works entirely in the browser, but the resulting image is a reconstruction of the DOM, not a pixel capture of the browser window.
Download a PNG from an html2canvas canvas
Install or load html2canvas in your page, select the element, and run the export after the page content you need is available. The Promise-based version is convenient in an async event handler:
async function saveElementAsPng() {
const element = document.querySelector('#invoice');
if (!element) {
throw new Error('The #invoice element was not found');
}
const canvas = await html2canvas(element);
const link = document.createElement('a');
link.download = 'invoice.png';
link.href = canvas.toDataURL('image/png');
link.click();
}
document.querySelector('#save-button').addEventListener('click', saveElementAsPng);The filename is only a suggestion to the browser, so use a meaningful name ending in .png. Calling toDataURL('image/png') asks the Canvas API for a PNG data URL; assigning it to href and clicking the anchor starts the download.
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This example assumes html2canvas has already been loaded. Replace the script URL with the version and delivery method used by your application.
<button id='save-button' type='button'>Save PNG</button>
<section id='card'>
<h1>Project summary</h1>
<p>This section becomes screenshot.png.</p>
</section>
<script>
document.querySelector('#save-button').addEventListener('click', async () => {
const canvas = await html2canvas(document.querySelector('#card'));
const link = document.createElement('a');
link.download = 'screenshot.png';
link.href = canvas.toDataURL('image/png');
link.click();
});
</script>What html2canvas actually captures
html2canvas walks the DOM and supported styles, then paints its own representation onto a canvas. It does not take a literal screenshot of pixels already produced by the browser. Consequently, a valid PNG can still differ from what a user sees.
- Unsupported or partially supported CSS can change spacing, effects, or visual details.
- Cross-origin iframes cannot be read because of browser security restrictions.
- Images and background images may be skipped when origin rules prevent canvas export.
- Dynamic content must be present when html2canvas runs; otherwise it cannot appear in the render.
Use this method when a DOM-based rendering is acceptable. If you require an exact browser-pixel capture, use a browser automation or screenshot service instead of treating html2canvas as a camera.
Make the export reliable
Check the target and handle failures
Always verify the selector before calling html2canvas and catch rejected Promises so a failed resource does not silently look like a successful download.
async function downloadPng(selector, filename = 'screenshot.png') {
const element = document.querySelector(selector);
if (!element) {
throw new Error(`No element matches ${selector}`);
}
try {
const canvas = await html2canvas(element, {
onError(error) {
console.error('html2canvas resource error:', error);
}
});
const link = document.createElement('a');
link.download = filename.endsWith('.png') ? filename : `${filename}.png`;
link.href = canvas.toDataURL('image/png');
link.click();
} catch (error) {
console.error('PNG capture failed:', error);
throw error;
}
}The configuration reference describes onError for failed resources such as images, SVG files, and background images. Keep the browser console open while diagnosing a missing asset.
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Render a long element at its full dimensions
A tall element can be clipped if the rendering window is smaller than the element’s scroll area. The html2canvas FAQ recommends passing the element’s scroll dimensions:
const element = document.querySelector('#long-page');
const canvas = await html2canvas(element, {
windowWidth: element.scrollWidth,
windowHeight: element.scrollHeight
});
const link = document.createElement('a');
link.download = 'long-page.png';
link.href = canvas.toDataURL('image/png');
link.click();This changes the virtual rendering window; it does not remove the browser’s maximum canvas dimensions or maximum pixel area.
Wait for content before rendering
Call html2canvas only after the target has been inserted and populated. In an application that loads data asynchronously, put the capture action after the data-rendering Promise resolves. For user-triggered captures, the click handler is often the simplest place because the visible state already exists. If a component still changes during capture, pause that update or capture after its final state is committed.
Cross-origin images, CORS, and tainted canvases
Canvas security rules determine whether the finished canvas can be read and exported. With allowTaint false, which is the default described by the html2canvas FAQ, images that would taint the canvas are skipped. A skipped image can leave an otherwise valid PNG incomplete.
Use CORS when the image server permits it
const canvas = await html2canvas(document.querySelector('#gallery'), {
useCORS: true,
onError(error) {
console.error(error);
}
});useCORS: true helps only when the remote image server sends suitable CORS response headers. It cannot override another server’s policy. Configure the image host to allow the requesting origin, and make sure the image URL is reachable from the browser.
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Use a proxy when direct CORS is not available
When you control a server-side proxy, route remote assets through that proxy and configure html2canvas to use it according to the library’s configuration reference. The proxy must fetch the asset and return it with headers that let the browser use it in the canvas. Do not assume that adding useCORS alone fixes an image host that sends no CORS headers.
Inspect the console and resource requests
Open Developer Tools, look for blocked image or SVG requests, and inspect the response headers. The onError callback can log failures, but it cannot make an inaccessible resource readable. Cross-origin iframes remain inaccessible even when ordinary image requests are configured correctly.
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The short official pattern uses a data URL. For a larger canvas, a Blob-based download avoids keeping the entire encoded data URL string in JavaScript memory at once. The two approaches produce a downloadable PNG; the supplied material does not establish a speed advantage for either one.
const canvas = await html2canvas(document.querySelector('#card'));
canvas.toBlob(blob => {
if (!blob) {
throw new Error('The browser could not create a PNG blob');
}
const objectUrl = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
const link = document.createElement('a');
link.download = 'card.png';
link.href = objectUrl;
link.click();
URL.revokeObjectURL(objectUrl);
}, 'image/png');The callback is asynchronous. Revoke the object URL after initiating the download so it does not remain allocated indefinitely. Keep the data-URL version when you want the smallest, clearest implementation or need to put the encoded image directly into another API.
Why a PNG can be blank, incomplete, or unexpectedly small
Blank output
- The canvas is too large. Browser canvas limits are approximate and vary by browser, operating system, hardware, and updates. An oversized canvas can be blank or only partly rendered without a useful error.
- The target is empty or hidden. Confirm the selector, inspect the element at capture time, and ensure its content has finished rendering.
- Resources failed. Check console errors and network responses for images, SVG files, and backgrounds.
- A cross-origin frame is involved. Browser security prevents html2canvas from reading a cross-origin iframe.
Missing images
Use useCORS: true only when the image server supplies appropriate CORS headers. Otherwise, configure a suitable proxy or serve the asset from an origin your page can access. With the default allowTaint: false, html2canvas skips images that would taint the canvas rather than producing an exportable but unreadable canvas.
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Cut-off long pages
Pass windowWidth: element.scrollWidth and windowHeight: element.scrollHeight, then check the total pixel area. A browser may accept the call but render only part of an element when its dimension or area limit is exceeded.
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CSS does not match the page
Compare the CSS used by html2canvas with the library’s supported properties. The library reconstructs styles manually, so unsupported properties, browser effects, and complex layout features may not be reproduced. Simplify the capture-specific styling or use a real browser screenshot tool when fidelity is essential.
Approximate canvas limits
The html2canvas FAQ lists these rough current-evergreen-browser references. They are guidance, not guarantees, and mobile Safari limits depend on device RAM.
| Browser | Approximate maximum dimension | Approximate maximum area |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome / Chromium | 32,767 px | 268 million pixels |
| Firefox | 32,767 px | 472 million pixels |
| Safari desktop | 32,767 px | Similar to Chrome |
| Safari on iOS | Lower and device-dependent | Depends on device RAM |
For a practical estimate, multiply the intended canvas width by its height before rendering. Retina-style scaling or a very wide, very tall page can exceed the area limit even when neither individual dimension looks extreme. If the page is larger than the safe canvas size, capture separate sections and combine them outside the browser, or use a screenshot service that handles full-page capture.
Performance, reliability, and privacy considerations
- Rendering cost: html2canvas must traverse the target DOM and paint it, so larger and more complex elements require more work than small cards.
- Memory: the canvas stores raw pixels, and a data URL adds an encoded representation. Prefer a Blob workflow when the encoded string itself is unnecessary.
- Determinism: freeze animations, finish data loading, and use a stable viewport when repeatable output matters.
- Failure detection: treat a returned canvas as a rendering result, not proof that every image loaded. Check console messages and use
onError. - Security: never weaken origin protections merely to force an export. Configure CORS or a controlled proxy for assets you are authorized to use.
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FAQ
Can I save the same canvas more than once?
Yes. A canvas can be converted to a PNG data URL each time you need an export. Generate a new filename for each download if you want to preserve multiple captures.
Does the PNG include browser controls or scrollbars?
No. html2canvas receives a DOM element and paints that element; browser chrome outside the page is not part of the target node.
Why does a transparent-looking area become a solid color?
The result follows the canvas rendering configuration and the styles html2canvas can reconstruct. Inspect the element’s background and capture-specific CSS when transparent areas do not match expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I save the same canvas more than once?
Yes. Convert the canvas to a PNG data URL again and use a different filename for each download.
Does the PNG include browser controls or scrollbars?
No. html2canvas paints the selected DOM element, not browser chrome outside the page.
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Check the element’s background and the styles html2canvas can reconstruct; the exported canvas follows that rendered configuration.
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