When you need to convert HTML to PDF without the hassle, there's no simpler way than using your favorite browser, and maybe Microsoft Word.
Saving a web page as a PDF is useful when you want to keep an article you found online, share a formatted version of a web page, or store something offline. And while there are plenty of tools that claim to do it, not everyone wants to mess with bookmarks or browser extensions.
The good news? You can do it right from your computer—fast, free, and with no extra installations.
Once you’ve saved your HTML file as a PDF, use Smallpdf’s PDF Converter to turn it into Word format for quick edits and reformatting. Then easily save it back to PDF again—or explore our full suite of PDF tools to manage and share your documents effortlessly.
How to Convert an HTML File to PDF in Your Browser
If you’re looking for the absolute easiest way to convert HTML to PDF, your web browser has you covered. Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari all have built-in PDF conversion options, making them perfect HTML to PDF converters for both live web pages and saved HTML files on your computer.
Save a Live Webpage as PDF (Chrome/Edge/Firefox)
For most browsers, the process is nearly identical: 1. Navigate to the webpage you want to convert in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. 2. Press Ctrl+P (or Cmd+P on Mac) to open the print dialog. 3. Under “Destination” or “Printer,” select “Save as PDF” or “Microsoft Print to PDF.” 4. Choose your preferred settings like page orientation and margins. 5. Click “Save,” choose a location, and you’re done!
Using the browser’s “Print” function to save a webpage as PDF
Export a Page to PDF in Safari (macOS)
Safari makes it even simpler with a dedicated export option: 1. Open the webpage in Safari. 2. Go to “File” and select “Export as PDF” from the menu bar. 3. Choose your save location and click “Save.”
Open a Saved .HTML File and Save It as PDF
Got an HTML file saved on your computer? No problem: 1. Drag the HTML file into any open browser window, or right-click and select “Open with” and your preferred browser. 2. Once it loads, follow the same print-to-PDF steps above. 3. The browser will render your local HTML file just like a live webpage.
This method works great for simple HTML files. If you need more formatting control, tools like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or Pages can also open HTML files for editing before converting to PDF.
HTML to PDF Conversion Settings (Page Size, Margins, Background, Print Styles)
Getting the perfect PDF from your HTML file often comes down to tweaking a few key settings. Most browsers give you plenty of control over how your final PDF looks.
Page Size, Orientation, and Margins
In the print dialog, you’ll typically find these essential options:
- Page size: Choose A4 for international documents, Letter for US-standard, or Auto to match the webpage’s natural width.
- Orientation: Portrait works best for articles and text-heavy content, while Landscape suits wide tables or charts.
- Margins: Default margins usually work fine, but you can minimize them for more content per page or increase them for a cleaner look.
Background Graphics and Print CSS
Under “More settings” in most browsers, you’ll find options to:
- Include background graphics: This captures background colors and images that might otherwise be skipped.
- Print CSS: Some websites have special print stylesheets that automatically optimize the layout for PDF conversion.
Keep in mind that complex backgrounds or fancy styling might not always translate perfectly to PDF format.
Viewport Width and Load Delay for Accurate Capture
For responsive websites that change layout based on screen size, the browser’s viewport width (how wide it thinks your screen is) affects the final PDF.
Most browsers default to a desktop-width viewport, but if you’re seeing mobile layouts in your PDF, try refreshing the page or adjusting your browser window size before converting.
Is It Safe To Convert HTML to PDF Online?
When you’re dealing with sensitive documents or private information, security matters. The good news? Converting HTML to PDF through your browser is completely safe since everything happens locally on your computer.
If you’re using an online HTML to PDF converter, here’s what to look for:
- HTTPS encryption for file uploads
- Automatic file deletion after conversion
- Clear privacy policies about data handling
- No account registration required
How Smallpdf Protects Your Files (Encryption, Deletion Policy)
At Smallpdf, we take your privacy seriously. All files are encrypted during upload and download, then automatically deleted from our servers within one hour. We’re ISO 27001 certified and GDPR compliant, so you can trust that your HTML files and converted PDFs stay private.
Why Convert HTML Files to PDF?
Converting HTML to PDF isn’t just about convenience, it solves real problems:
- Offline access: Read articles, reports, or documentation without an internet connection.
- Format preservation: PDFs look the same on any device, unlike HTML which can render differently across browsers.
- Easy sharing: Send a single PDF file instead of explaining how to access a specific webpage.
- Archiving: Keep permanent copies of web content that might change or disappear.
- Professional presentation: PDFs look more polished for business documents or reports.
- Print-friendly: Get consistent, clean printouts without ads or navigation elements.
Using Microsoft Word as a Simple Workaround for HTML Files
If you want more control over how the PDF looks, Microsoft Word is great for making small adjustments—especially if your HTML file is mostly text-based (like a simple article, a report, or an invoice or receipt).
Here’s how it works: 1. First save the web page as an HTML file. Go to “File” and select “Save Page As,” then choose “Webpage, Complete” as the format. 2. Give the file a name, choose a location, and hit “Save.” 3. Open Microsoft Word, then go to “File” and select “Open,” and find your HTML file. 4. Now, change the view by selecting “View” from the top menu and changing it to “Web Layout.” 5. If it looks a little messy, don’t panic. Some formatting—like fonts, tables, or images—might need minor tweaks. 6. Once you’re happy with how it looks, go to “File” and select “Save As,” choose PDF as the file format, and save your HTML file to PDF.
Saving a webpage as HTML and editing the file in Microsoft Word
One thing to keep in mind: If the HTML file has complex layouts or scripts, Word might not handle it perfectly. But for simple web pages or documents, it works like a charm. And it is worth experimenting with so, if you ever do need to adjust formatting and layouts, you’ll know what to expect.
What About Batch Converting HTML Files to PDF?
If you only need to convert a file or two, the above methods will work perfectly. But if you need to process dozens or hundreds of HTML files at once, there aren’t many simple, built-in solutions.
There are tools like wkhtmltopdf, a command-line tool that converts HTML files in bulk, but it requires a bit of technical knowledge. If you frequently need to batch convert HTML files to PDF, it could be worth looking into. Otherwise, you might have to open and save each file manually using a browser or Word.
Using just your browser truly is the simplest and fastest method to convert HTML to PDF. But if you need or want to make some simple adjustments to the layout and formatting, converting your PDF and running it through Microsoft Word is an option.
If you don’t have Word, don’t stress. Google Docs, LibreOffice, and Pages on macOS would work just as well when it comes to tweaking the text and layouts. And they’re all free to use.
After converting HTML files, you can edit, compress, merge, and sign PDFs with Smallpdf. Start your free trial to access all tools without limits.
Frequently Asked Questions: Convert HTML to PDF
Can I convert multiple HTML files to PDF at once?
Most browsers don’t support batch conversion, but command-line tools like wkhtmltopdf (no, that’s not a typo) can handle multiple files. For just a few files, converting them individually through your browser is usually the easiest approach.
Do hyperlinks work in the converted PDF?
Yes! Most browsers preserve clickable links when you convert HTML to PDF. External links will open in your default browser. Not that internal page anchors depend on the original HTML structure and can be less reliable.
Can I automate HTML to PDF conversion?
For regular automation, you’ll need specialized tools or scripts. Browser extensions or command-line utilities work best for repeated conversions, though they require some technical setup.
What’s the difference between saving as PDF and printing to PDF?
They’re essentially the same process—both use your browser’s print engine to create the PDF. “Print to PDF” and “Save as PDF” are just different ways browsers label the same feature.
Can I convert password-protected webpages?
If you can view the webpage in your browser after logging in, you can convert it to PDF using the same print-to-PDF method. Just make sure you’re logged in before starting the conversion process.
How large can my HTML file be when converting to PDF?
Most browsers handle even large HTML files easily. If your saved webpage includes many images or videos, you can reduce its size after conversion using the Compress PDF tool.
Can I edit the converted PDF later?
Yes. You can open the file in Word or use Smallpdf’s PDF Editor to adjust text, add images, or make quick updates online.
