How to Print a Web Page on Windows, Mac, and Mobile Devices

The basic way to print any web page

To print the page you are looking at, use Ctrl+P on Windows or Command+P on Mac. A print preview window will open showing what the page will look like on paper. Click the Print button to send it to your printer, or choose a different printer from the dropdown menu if you have more than one.

On phones and tablets, the process varies slightly by device. On an iPhone or iPad, tap the Share button (the square with an arrow), scroll down to find Print, then select your printer. On Android, open the menu (three dots), tap Print, and choose your printer from the list.

Most browsers also let you print to a PDF file instead of paper. In the print preview window, look for a dropdown that says "Destination" or "Printer" and select "Save as PDF". This creates a file you can email, store, or print later.

Key Takeaways

Press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Command+P (Mac) to open the print preview for any web page.
The print preview shows you what the page will look like on paper before you print, and lets you choose which printer to use.
You can print to a PDF file instead of paper by selecting "Save as PDF" from the printer dropdown in the print preview.
On phones, use the Share button (iPhone/iPad) or the menu button (Android) to find the Print option.

Adjusting what prints and what doesn't

By default, browsers print everything on the page — text, images, ads, and navigation menus. In the print preview window, you can change what gets printed. Look for options labeled "Background graphics" or "Print backgrounds" and toggle them on or off. Turning off backgrounds saves ink and makes text easier to read on paper.

Most print previews also let you choose which pages to print. If the web page is 10 pages long but you only need pages 3 through 5, type those page numbers in the "Pages" field. You can also adjust margins, paper size, and orientation (portrait or landscape) from the same window.

Some pages are designed to hide certain content when printed. For example, a news article might hide the sidebar ads automatically. If something you need is missing from the preview, check whether the website has a "Print-friendly version" link, usually near the top or bottom of the page.

Dealing with pages that don't print well

Long web pages sometimes break awkwardly across pages, leaving headers or navigation bars at the top of every printed page. If this happens, try adjusting the scale in the print preview — reducing it to 80% or 90% can fit more content per page and reduce the number of page breaks.

Pages with a lot of columns or wide tables may not fit on standard paper. In the print preview, look for an option called "Fit to page" or "Shrink to fit" and turn it on. This automatically scales the page to fit the paper width, though text may become smaller.

If a page still looks wrong in preview, try printing to PDF instead of paper. PDF files preserve the layout better and give you a chance to review the result before wasting paper. You can then open the PDF in a reader and print from there if needed.

Printing from different browsers

Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all use the same keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+P or Command+P), but the print preview windows look slightly different. Chrome's preview is on the left side of the screen. Firefox and Safari show it in the center. Edge uses a sidebar on the right. Regardless of the layout, all of them have the same basic options: choose a printer, select pages, and adjust scale.

Some browsers add extra features. Firefox lets you print to a file format other than PDF, like PostScript. Chrome has an option to print headers and footers (the website name and page number at the top and bottom). Safari on Mac integrates with the system print dialog, so you see Mac-specific options like saving to iCloud.

Saving web pages instead of printing them

If you want to keep a copy of a web page but do not need it on paper, printing to PDF is usually the best option. The PDF captures the page exactly as it appears on screen and can be opened on any device. However, PDFs do not update if the website changes, so they are best for pages that do not change often, like receipts or articles.

If you need a copy that stays linked to the live website, most browsers let you save the page as an HTML file. Right-click anywhere on the page and select "Save page as" (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) or "Save as" (Safari). This downloads the HTML code and images to your computer. When you open it later, it will look similar to the original, though some interactive features may not work.

For pages you want to read later without internet, consider using a read-it-later service like Pocket or Instapaper. These services save articles in a clean, easy-to-read format and sync across your devices. You can then print from the service if you need paper, and the layout is usually much cleaner than printing from the original website.

Troubleshooting common printing problems

If the print preview is blank or shows only part of the page, refresh the page (F5 or Command+R) and try again. Sometimes a page has not fully loaded, and the print preview reflects that incomplete state. Wait a few seconds for all images and text to appear before opening the print dialog.

If your printer does not appear in the printer dropdown, make sure it is turned on and connected to the same network as your computer. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners and check that your printer is listed. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers and Scanners. If it is not there, add it by clicking the plus button and selecting your printer from the list.

If text is too small to read in the print preview, increase the scale percentage before printing. Most print previews default to 100%, but you can raise it to 110% or 120% to make text larger. Keep in mind that this may add extra pages. If the page is too large to fit on paper even at 100%, try the "Fit to page" option instead, which shrinks everything proportionally.

Printing from mobile devices

On iPhone and iPad, the Print option appears in the Share menu. Open the page you want to print, tap the Share button (square with an arrow pointing up), scroll down past the social media options, and tap Print. Select your printer from the list. If you do not see your printer, make sure it supports AirPrint and is on the same Wi-Fi network as your device.

Android phones and tablets use a similar process but the location varies by manufacturer. Open the menu (usually three dots in the top right), look for Print or Print All, and tap it. You may need to install a printer app from Google Play first if your printer is not automatically detected. Samsung devices have a built-in Print Service; other brands may require the manufacturer's app.

Mobile devices do not show a print preview before sending to the printer, so check the page on screen first to make sure it is what you want to print. If the page is very long, consider printing to PDF instead — most phones let you save a web page as a PDF through the Share menu, which you can then review before printing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my printed page look different from what I see on screen?

Websites are designed for screens, not paper. Colors may look different, images may not fit, and some text might be cut off at the edges. Use the print preview to see exactly what will print before you send it to the printer. Adjust margins, scale, or background graphics in the preview to fix layout problems.

Can I print just one section of a web page?

Yes. Highlight the text or section you want to print, then open the print dialog. Look for an option that says "Selection" or "Print selection" and choose it. Only the highlighted content will print. This works in most browsers, though the exact wording varies.

How do I print a web page without all the ads and menus?

Many websites have a "Print-friendly version" link that removes ads and navigation. Look for it near the article title or at the bottom of the page. If there is no link, try turning off "Background graphics" in the print preview to remove images and colored backgrounds, which often include ads.

What should I do if my printer is not showing up in the print dialog?

Make sure your printer is turned on and connected to your computer or network. On Windows, check Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners. On Mac, check System Preferences > Printers and Scanners. If your printer still does not appear, restart both your printer and computer, then try again.

Is it better to print to PDF or to paper?

Print to PDF if you want to save the page without using paper, need to email it to someone, or want to review it before printing. Print to paper if you need a physical copy right away. PDFs are searchable and take up less storage space, while paper copies do not require a device to read.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.