How to Download a Full-Page Website Screenshot as PDF, PNG or JPEG
A normal screenshot only captures what fits on your screen. If a landing page, article or documentation page is several screens long, you end up taking five or six pictures and trying to line them up. A full-page screenshot solves that by capturing the page from the very top to the very bottom in one continuous file.
This guide shows how to take a full-page website screenshot online, which file type to pick (PDF, PNG or JPEG), and how to fix the problems people run into most often. You will also see three practical examples, so you can decide when a full-page capture is the right tool.
What a full-page screenshot is (and is not)
A viewport screenshot captures only the part of the page you can see without scrolling. A full-page screenshot scrolls through the whole page and joins everything into a single tall image or a multi-page document.
It is a picture of how the page looks at the moment of capture. It is not a copy of the site's code, it does not save the page for offline browsing, and it cannot capture pages that sit behind a login, because the capture tool can only see what any visitor sees.
How to capture a full page with our Website Screenshot tool
You do not need to install an extension or sign up for anything. Our Website Screenshot tool runs in your browser and works on phones and computers.
- Open the page you want to capture and copy its full address, including the https:// part.
- Open the Website Screenshot tool and paste the address into the URL box.
- Choose the output file type: PDF, PNG or JPEG.
- Choose the capture type. Pick full page to include everything, or viewport to capture only the top of the page.
- Choose the quality level (high, medium or low) if you want to control the file size.
- Start the capture, wait a few seconds, then download the file to your device.
Most pages finish in a few seconds. Pages that load many images, videos or scripts can take a little longer, because the tool waits for the page to finish loading before it captures.
PDF, PNG or JPEG: which file type should you choose?
The right file type depends on what you will do with the screenshot next. The table below compares the three options.
| Format | Strength | Weakness | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keeps the layout and text together in one document | Not ideal for pasting into a design tool | Reports, invoices, records, sharing by email | |
| PNG | Sharp text and clean edges with no compression loss | Larger files for long pages | Presentations, documentation, design feedback |
| JPEG | Small files that upload quickly | Slight blur around text at low quality | Chat messages, email attachments, quick sharing |
If you are unsure, start with PDF for anything you want to keep, and PNG when you need the text to stay perfectly sharp. For more detail on how image types behave, read our guide to JPG, PNG and WebP.
Three real ways people use full-page screenshots
1. Keeping a record of a page as it looked on a date
Prices, terms and product descriptions change. If you buy something, sign up for a service or agree to a policy, a full-page capture in PDF gives you a dated record of what the page said. Save it together with the order confirmation.
2. Sending a bug report that a developer can act on
A broken layout is hard to describe in words. A full-page PNG shows the problem in context, including elements far below the fold that a normal screenshot would miss. Add the browser name and the screen size in your message to make it even easier to reproduce.
3. Reviewing your own design or blog post
Designers and writers use full-page captures to review a whole page in one view, mark up spacing problems, and compare an earlier version with a newer one. Place two captures side by side and differences become obvious.
Tips for a cleaner capture
- Check the address first. Open the link in a normal browser tab to be sure it loads without a login or a cookie wall.
- Choose full page for long content. Use viewport only when you need just the top section, such as a header or a hero banner.
- Use high quality for text-heavy pages. Low quality is fine for a quick preview, but it can soften small text.
- Name the file straight away. Add the site name and date, for example example-pricing-2026-09-19.pdf, so you can find it later.
- Crop before sharing. If the page shows names, email addresses or other personal details, crop or blur them first.
Common problems and how to fix them
The capture is blank or missing images
Some pages load images only when you scroll. Try again after a short wait, or capture the page again with a higher quality setting. If the page shows a pop-up or a consent banner, it may cover part of the result, and that is how the page looks to a first-time visitor.
The tool says the page cannot be reached
Check for typos and make sure the address starts with https://. Pages that require you to sign in, private dashboards and local addresses cannot be captured, because the tool has no access to them.
The file is too big to send
Choose JPEG or a lower quality level, or capture only the section you need. You can also shrink an existing image with our Image Converter, which lets you lower the quality of JPG and WebP files.
The layout looks different from my phone
The capture shows the page as a desktop browser renders it. Sites that adapt to small screens may look different on your phone, so compare the two before you draw conclusions.
Use screenshots responsibly
A screenshot of a web page still contains someone else's text, images and design. Use it for your own reference, for feedback and for records. Do not publish or sell another site's content as if it were your own, and avoid capturing pages that show other people's private information. Our Copyright Policy explains how we handle these questions.
Frequently asked questions
How do I take a screenshot of a whole web page?
Paste the page address into the Website Screenshot tool, choose full page as the capture type, pick PDF, PNG or JPEG, and download the result. There is no software to install.
Can I capture a page that needs a login?
No. The tool loads the page as a normal visitor would, so it cannot see content behind a sign-in screen. For those pages, use your own browser's built-in screenshot feature.
Which is better for a screenshot, PDF or PNG?
PDF is better for records and sharing a document. PNG is better when you want sharp text to paste into a presentation or a design file.
Why is my JPEG screenshot blurry?
JPEG is a lossy format, so low quality settings blur fine text. Choose high quality or switch to PNG for text-heavy pages.
Is there a size limit for very long pages?
Very long or heavy pages can take longer and produce large files. If a capture fails, try a lower quality level or capture the page in sections.
Is it legal to screenshot a website?
Taking a screenshot for personal reference or feedback is generally fine, but the content on the page still belongs to its owner. Do not republish it without permission.
Only save videos, audio and images that you own or have permission to use. Read our Copyright Policy for what is allowed, and see the DMCA page if you are a rights holder.