How to Print a PDF File on Windows, Mac, or Mobile

The simplest way to print a PDF

Open the PDF in your web browser or PDF reader, then use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+P (Windows) or Command+P (Mac). A print dialog will appear. Select your printer from the list, choose how many copies you want, and click Print. That is the entire process for most PDFs.

If you do not have a PDF reader installed, your web browser can open PDFs directly. Drag the PDF file into an open browser window, or right-click the file and select "Open with" and choose your browser. Once it loads, use the keyboard shortcut above.

Some PDFs are locked to prevent printing. If you see an error message saying printing is not allowed, the document owner restricted that feature. You cannot override this restriction without special software, and that is intentional — the owner set it that way.

Key Takeaways

The fastest way to print any PDF is to open it and press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Command+P (Mac), then select your printer and click Print.
Your web browser can open and print PDFs without installing anything extra — just drag the file into the browser window.
Some PDFs have printing disabled by the owner, and you cannot override this without the owner's permission or the document password.
On mobile phones, open the PDF in your phone's default PDF reader or web browser, tap the menu icon, and look for a print or share option.
If your printer is not showing up in the print dialog, restart your printer and computer, then try again — most connection problems fix themselves this way.

Printing from Windows

Open your PDF file by double-clicking it. It will open in your default PDF reader or web browser. Press Ctrl+P on your keyboard. A print dialog box will appear with a list of available printers at the top.

Click on the printer you want to use. If you have only one printer connected, it will already be selected. Below the printer name, you will see options for the number of copies, page range, and orientation. Set the number of copies you need. If you want to print only certain pages, click "Custom" under Page Range and type the page numbers separated by commas — for example, 1,3,5 to print pages 1, 3, and 5.

Once your settings are correct, click the blue Print button. Your printer will start printing. The dialog will close and you will return to the PDF.

Printing from Mac

Open the PDF by double-clicking it. It will open in Preview (the default Mac PDF reader) or your web browser. Press Command+P on your keyboard. The print dialog will appear.

At the top, you will see a dropdown menu showing your available printers. Click it and select the printer you want. Below that, set the number of copies and choose whether you want to print all pages or a specific range. To print specific pages, click the "Pages" radio button and enter the page numbers in the field — for example, 1-5 or 2,4,6.

Check the orientation setting. Most PDFs print in portrait (tall) orientation, but some work better in landscape (wide). Once everything looks correct, click Print. Your Mac will send the job to the printer and close the dialog.

Printing from an iPhone or iPad

Open the PDF in your default PDF reader or in Safari. Tap the Share button — it looks like a square with an arrow pointing out of it, usually at the bottom or top of the screen. A menu of options will appear.

Scroll down and tap Print. A printer selection screen will appear. Tap Select Printer and choose your wireless printer from the list. If your printer does not appear, make sure it is turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPad or iPhone.

Set the number of copies by tapping the plus and minus buttons next to the copy count. Tap Print in the top right corner. Your device will send the job to the printer. You can close the app and your print job will continue in the background.

Printing from an Android phone

Open the PDF in your default PDF reader or in Chrome. Tap the menu icon — three vertical dots in the top right corner. A dropdown menu will appear.

Tap Print or Share depending on what your app offers. If you tap Print, a printer selection screen will appear. Tap the dropdown that says "Select a printer" and choose your wireless printer. If you tap Share, select Print from the sharing options, then select your printer.

Set the number of copies and any other options, then tap Print. Your Android device will send the job to your printer. Close the app when you are done — the print job will continue on its own.

What to do if your printer does not appear in the list

The most common reason a printer does not show up is that it is turned off or not connected to your network. Check that your printer is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer or phone. Look at the printer's display panel or check its manual to confirm the network name it is connected to.

Restart both your printer and your computer or phone. Turn off the printer completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your device. Once both are back on, try printing again. This fixes most connection problems.

If your printer still does not appear, check the manufacturer's website for driver software. Windows computers sometimes need printer drivers installed before they can find a printer on the network. Mac computers usually find printers automatically, but you can add one manually by going to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners and clicking the plus button.

Printing PDFs with special settings

Some PDFs have multiple pages on a single sheet or need to be printed at a specific size. In the print dialog, look for an Advanced or More Settings button. Click it to see additional options.

If you want to print multiple pages per sheet — for example, 4 pages on one piece of paper — look for an option called "Pages per Sheet" or "Multiple Pages per Sheet" and select how many you want. If you want to print a PDF at actual size or fit it to the page, look for a "Scaling" or "Page Sizing" option and choose the one you need.

Some PDFs are designed to print double-sided. If your printer supports double-sided printing, you will see an option for "Two-Sided" or "Duplex" in the advanced settings. Select it to save paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my PDF say printing is not allowed?

The person who created the PDF restricted printing as a security measure. This is a deliberate choice by the document owner. You cannot override this restriction without the owner's password or permission. If you need to print the document, contact the person who sent it to you and ask them to remove the restriction.

Can I print a PDF to a file instead of to a physical printer?

Yes. In the print dialog, look for a printer option called "Print to File" or "Save as PDF" (on Mac). Select it instead of a physical printer, then click Print. Your computer will ask you where to save the file and what to name it. This creates a new PDF copy of the original.

What if I want to print only certain pages from a large PDF?

In the print dialog, find the Page Range section. Click the "Custom" or "Pages" radio button and type the page numbers you want. Use commas to separate individual pages (1,3,5) or a dash for a range (1-10). Only those pages will print.

Does printing a PDF use a lot of ink?

That depends on what is in the PDF. Text-heavy PDFs use very little ink. PDFs with many images or colored backgrounds use more. If you want to save ink, look for a "Draft" or "Economical" print quality option in the advanced settings — most printers offer this.

Can I print a PDF from my phone to a printer that is not wireless?

Not directly. Non-wireless printers connect only to computers via USB cable. You would need to transfer the PDF to a computer connected to that printer and print from there. Alternatively, you can email the PDF to yourself, open it on the computer, and print it.

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.