The basic steps to print any webpage

To print a webpage, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+P on Windows or Command+P on Mac. A print preview window will open showing how the page will look 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.

The print preview lets you see what will actually print before you waste paper. Most browsers show you the number of pages, the margins, and which parts of the page are included. You can adjust these settings before printing — for example, you can print only certain pages instead of the whole thing.

If the keyboard shortcut does not work, you can also go to the menu. On Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, click the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top right corner, then select Print. On Safari, click File in the menu bar at the top, then Print.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Command+P (Mac) to open the print dialog for any webpage.
  • The print preview shows you exactly what will print, including how many pages it will be.
  • You can choose which pages to print, change the paper size, and adjust margins before printing.
  • Some webpages print better if you remove ads and sidebars using the browser's reader mode or print settings.
  • If a webpage has a lot of images or formatting, printing to PDF instead of paper lets you save it without wasting ink.

Adjusting what prints and what does not

Webpages often contain things you do not want to print — ads, navigation menus, sidebars, or buttons. Most browsers let you hide these before printing. In the print preview window, look for an option called More settings, Options, or a gear icon. From there, you can uncheck Background graphics to save ink, or turn off Headers and footers if you do not want the website address and date printed at the top and bottom of each page.

Some browsers have a reader mode or reading view that strips away everything except the article text. On Firefox, click the small book icon in the address bar. On Safari, click Show Reader in the address bar. On Chrome, you can install a free extension like Evernote Web Clipper or similar tools. Once you are in reader mode, print from there — the page will be much simpler and use less ink.

Choosing between printing to paper and saving as PDF

If you want to keep a copy of the webpage without printing it on paper, you can print to a PDF file instead. In the print dialog, where it says Printer at the top, click the dropdown menu and select Save as PDF (or Print to File on some Windows computers). Then choose where to save the file on your computer. The PDF will look exactly like the printed version would, but you can open it anytime without needing the internet.

Saving as PDF is useful for webpages that change frequently, like bank statements or order confirmations. It also lets you share the page with someone else without sending them a link. PDFs print the same way every time, so if you need to print it later, it will look identical to how it looks now.

Fixing pages that do not print correctly

Some webpages do not print well because they are designed only for screens. Text might be cut off at the edges, images might not show up, or the layout might be jumbled. If this happens, try these fixes: First, check the print preview to see if the problem is visible there. If it is, try changing the paper orientation from Portrait to Landscape — this makes the page wider and shorter, which sometimes fixes cut-off text.

Second, try adjusting the Scale or Zoom setting in the print dialog. Lowering it to 80 or 90 percent can fit more on each page. Third, if the page has a lot of columns or a wide layout, try printing to PDF instead of paper — PDFs sometimes handle difficult layouts better than direct printing. If none of these work, you can also try a different browser, since each one handles printing slightly differently.

Printing from mobile phones and tablets

On an iPhone or iPad, open the webpage in Safari, then tap the Share button (the square with an arrow pointing out). Scroll down and tap Print. On Android phones, open the webpage in Chrome, tap the three dots in the top right corner, then tap Print. Both will show you a preview before printing.

Mobile devices need a printer that supports AirPrint (Apple devices) or Google Cloud Print (Android devices). Most modern printers support at least one of these. If your printer is not compatible, you can email the webpage to yourself, open it on a computer, and print from there instead.

Printing multiple pages and long articles

When you print a long article or webpage that spans many pages, the print preview shows you the total number of pages at the top. You can choose to print all pages, or type specific page numbers in the Pages field — for example, typing 1-5 will print only the first five pages. This saves paper if you only need part of the page.

Some very long webpages, like online articles or research papers, print better if you use the reader mode first. This removes clutter and makes the text easier to read on paper. You can also adjust the font size in reader mode on most browsers before printing, which makes the text larger or smaller depending on your preference.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Webpages are designed for screens, which are wider and brighter than paper. Ads, sidebars, and navigation menus often do not print the way they appear online. Use the print preview to see what will actually print, and use reader mode to simplify the page before printing.

Can I print a webpage without an internet connection?

No — you need internet to load the webpage first. However, once the page is loaded, you can print it even if your internet disconnects. If you want to print something later without internet, save it as a PDF while you are online.

How do I print only part of a webpage?

Highlight the text or section you want to print, then press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Command+P (Mac). In the print dialog, select Selection instead of All pages. Only the highlighted part will print.

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 the same Wi-Fi network as your computer or phone. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners and click Add a printer. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers and Scanners and click the plus button.

Is it better to print to PDF or to paper?

Print to PDF if you want to save the page for later, share it with others, or keep a record that will not fade. Print to paper if you need a physical copy to read, sign, or file. PDFs also use no ink and take up less storage than stacks of paper.