The simplest way to save an article as a PDF
On most devices, you can save any article to a PDF file in two or three clicks without installing anything new. The method depends on what device you are using, but the result is the same: a file saved to your computer or phone that you can read later, share, or print.
A PDF copy also gives you control over what data leaves your device. When you save an article as a PDF instead of bookmarking it online, you keep a local copy that does not require you to log in, does not track your reading habits, and does not send information back to the website's servers each time you open it.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, Mac, and most phones, the print dialog includes a "Save as PDF" option that works on any article or webpage.
- Saving a PDF locally means the article stays readable even if the website goes offline or changes its content later.
- Some browsers and phones offer a "reader mode" or "reading list" that strips ads and formatting before you save, reducing file size.
- PDF files do not phone home to the website or track your reading, so they are more private than keeping articles in browser bookmarks or read-it-later services.
How to save as PDF on Windows
Open the article in any web browser. Press Ctrl + P to open the print dialog. At the top, where it normally says "Printer" or "Print to", click the dropdown menu and select "Save to PDF" or "Microsoft Print to PDF" depending on your browser. Click the blue Save button at the bottom right.
A window will open asking where you want to save the file and what to name it. Choose a folder you can find later — your Documents folder or a dedicated folder for articles works well. The filename will usually be the article title, but you can change it to anything. Click Save again, and the PDF will be created.
If you do not see "Save to PDF" in the printer dropdown, your browser may not have that option built in. In that case, use the browser's own save feature instead: press Ctrl + S, choose where to save it, and select "Webpage, Complete" from the dropdown. This saves the article as an HTML file that opens in your browser.
How to save as PDF on Mac
Open the article in any web browser. Press Command + P to open the print dialog. In the bottom left corner, click the PDF dropdown menu. Select "Save as PDF" from the list.
A save dialog will appear. Give the file a name, choose where to save it, and click Save. The PDF will be created in the folder you chose. If you want to organize articles by topic, create a dedicated folder in your Documents folder first, then save PDFs there.
How to save as PDF on iPhone or iPad
Open the article in Safari. Tap the Share button (the square with an arrow pointing up). Scroll down and tap "Print". The print preview will open. Pinch outward on the preview with two fingers to zoom out and see the full page. This action converts the preview to a PDF. Tap Share again in the top left corner of the preview.
A menu will appear with options to save the PDF. Tap "Save to Files" to save it to your iPhone's file system, or "Mail" to email it to yourself. If you choose Files, select a folder where you want to keep articles — you can create a new folder called "Articles" if you do not have one. Tap Save to finish.
How to save as PDF on Android
Open the article in Chrome or your default browser. Press the three-dot menu button in the top right corner. Tap "Share" or "Print" depending on your browser. If you tapped Share, look for a "Print" option in the menu that appears. If you tapped Print, skip to the next step.
In the print dialog, tap the dropdown at the top that says "Printer" or shows a printer name. Select "Save as PDF". Tap the Save button. A file manager will open asking where to save the PDF. Choose a folder — Downloads is the default and easiest to find later — and tap Save again.
Using reader mode to make cleaner PDFs
Many browsers and phones offer a "reader mode" that strips away ads, sidebars, and extra formatting before you save. This makes the PDF smaller, faster to load, and easier to read on small screens.
On Safari (iPhone, iPad, or Mac), look for the aA button in the address bar at the top of the page. Tap or click it, then select "Show Reader". The page will simplify to show only the article text and images. Then follow the save-as-PDF steps above.
On Chrome (Windows, Mac, or Android), click the three-dot menu and tap "Distill page" or look for a "Reader mode" option if your version has it. Not all Chrome versions include this feature. If you do not see it, save the PDF normally — the content will be the same, just with more visual clutter around it.
On Firefox (Windows or Mac), click the book with lines icon in the address bar to enter reader mode. Then use Ctrl + P (Windows) or Command + P (Mac) to save as PDF.
Where PDFs are stored and how to find them later
On Windows and Mac, PDFs you save usually go to your Downloads folder or the folder you chose in the save dialog. Open your file manager (File Explorer on Windows, Finder on Mac) and look in Downloads first. If you saved many PDFs, create a dedicated folder called "Articles" or "PDFs" in your Documents folder and move them there.
On iPhone and iPad, PDFs go to the Files app in the folder you selected. Open Files, tap the folder where you saved the PDF, and you will see it listed. You can also open it from Mail if you emailed it to yourself.
On Android, PDFs usually go to your Downloads folder. Open the Files app or Downloads app on your phone, and you will see the PDF listed with the date it was saved. You can move it to a different folder or rename it from there.
Privacy differences between saving PDFs and using read-it-later services
When you save an article as a PDF, the file stays on your device. The website does not know you saved it, does not track when you read it, and does not collect data about how long you spent on it. The PDF does not require you to log in or create an account.
Read-it-later services like Pocket, Instapaper, or Evernote store your articles on their servers. These services can see which articles you save, when you read them, and how long you spend on each one. They use this data to recommend articles and to show you targeted ads. If you are concerned about what information these services collect, saving PDFs locally is more private.
The trade-off is convenience: services like Pocket sync across all your devices and let you search your saved articles easily. PDFs require you to manage files yourself. Choose based on your comfort level with data collection and how much organization matters to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit a PDF after I save it?
Yes, but it depends on the tool. Free options like Preview (Mac), Photos (iPhone), or Google Drive let you highlight text and add notes. For more detailed editing — changing text, moving images, or removing pages — you may need paid software like Adobe Acrobat or Nitro. Many document editors also open PDFs and let you make changes, though converting back to PDF sometimes changes the formatting.
What if the article has a paywall or requires login?
The print-to-PDF method saves only what you can see on the screen. If you are logged in and can read the full article, the PDF will include all of it. If the article is behind a paywall you have not paid for, the PDF will only capture the preview or summary that is visible without logging in. Some paywalled sites block the print function entirely.
Will the PDF look the same as the article on the website?
Usually it will be close, but not identical. Ads, navigation menus, and sidebars may be included or removed depending on your browser and the website's design. Using reader mode before saving gives you a cleaner, more consistent look. The text and main images will always be there.
How much storage space do PDFs take up?
Most articles are between 100 kilobytes and 2 megabytes as PDFs, depending on how many images they contain. You would need to save thousands of articles to notice a difference in your device's storage. If storage is tight, delete PDFs you have already read or move them to cloud storage like Google Drive or OneDrive.
Can I search inside a PDF I saved?
Yes. On Windows and Mac, open the PDF and press Ctrl + F (Windows) or Command + F (Mac) to search for a word or phrase. On phones, open the PDF in your default reader app and look for a search or magnifying glass icon. Not all PDF readers support search, so if yours does not, try opening the PDF in a different app.