"Convert a web page to PDF" can mean two things. You might want a faithful copy of a page with its layout, images and fonts. Or you might just want the text of some HTML as a document. They need different tools, and it's worth picking the right one.
What the HTML to PDF tool does
HTML to PDF takes HTML code you paste in and turns it into a simple text PDF. To be clear about what that means:
- Tags, styles and scripts are removed and the text content is kept.
- The result is a single A4 page in a plain font.
- Long lines are cut short, and text that doesn't fit on the page is dropped.
- Images, colours, tables, links and CSS layout are not reproduced.
That makes it useful for quickly turning a short snippet, an email template or some copied HTML into a readable text document. It is not a page-perfect web page converter.
To save a full web page, use your browser
For a faithful copy of a page with layout and images, your browser does a better job than any simple converter.
- Open the page.
- Press Ctrl+P (Cmd+P on Mac) to open the print dialog.
- Choose Save as PDF as the destination.
- Turn on "Background graphics" if you want colours and images.
- Pick paper size, margins and orientation, then save.
Tips for a cleaner result:
- Use the browser's reader mode first to strip menus and adverts.
- Set the scale to fit width if content is cut off.
- Long pages may break awkwardly, so preview before saving.
After you have the PDF
- Shrink a heavy page capture with Compress PDF.
- Take out the pages you don't need with Delete Pages.
- Trim margins with Crop PDF.
- Add page numbers with Add Page Numbers.
- Combine several saved pages into one file with Merge PDF; see our merge guide.
Which approach should you use?
| Need | Best route |
|---|---|
| Faithful copy of a page for records or research | Browser Print, Save as PDF |
| Text of a short HTML snippet | HTML to PDF |
| A styled invoice or report | Build it in a word processor, then export to PDF |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does HTML to PDF keep images and styling?
No. It keeps the text only, on a single page.
Can I enter a web address instead of HTML?
The tool takes pasted HTML. To capture a live page, use your browser's Save as PDF.
Why is my page cut off?
Long lines are truncated and there is only one page. For long content use the browser method.
Are links clickable in the PDF?
Not in the tool's output. Browser-saved PDFs usually keep working links.