How to Easily Capture Full Webpage Screenshots on Any Device
Have you ever needed to take a screenshot of an entire webpage, but found that only the visible portion of the page fits in the screenshot? Capturing a full page screenshot, including content below the fold, used to be a challenge. But with the right tools and techniques, it‘s now quick and easy on any Mac, PC, or mobile device.
In this guide, I‘ll show you several methods for taking full webpage screenshots using built-in tools and free apps. Whether you‘re a blogger who needs thumbnails of webpages, a designer looking to capture inspiration, or anyone else who needs to save a full webpage as an image, you‘ll find the best tool for the job here.
What Is a Full Webpage Screenshot?
A full webpage screenshot is an image capture of an entire web page, including the portion normally hidden from view unless you scroll down. Typical screenshot tools only capture the visible area of the screen. Full page screenshot tools stitch together multiple images as you scroll to create a single image of the complete page.
Why Take a Full Page Screenshot?
There are many reasons you might need a full page screenshot:
- Saving a webpage for offline reference
- Sending website mockups or inspiration to a designer or developer
- Creating thumbnails for a gallery of websites
- Documenting a bug that isn‘t confined to the visible area
- Archiving webpages for record-keeping
- Saving receipts or invoices longer than a screen
Now that you know why you might need one, let‘s look at how to actually capture a full webpage screenshot on any device.
Built-In Full Page Screenshot Tools
Most operating systems now include built-in full webpage screenshot tools, although they don‘t always make them obvious. Here‘s how to use them:
On Mac: Safari
- In Safari, go to the webpage you want to screenshot
- From the menu bar, select File > Export as PDF…
- Select a location, name the file, and click Save
- Open the PDF in Preview
- Select File > Export…
- Choose PNG or JPEG as the format
- Select a location, name the file, and click Save
This will create an image of the complete webpage. However, image quality may not be ideal. For better results, use a dedicated screenshot app (see below).
On Windows: Microsoft Edge
- In Microsoft Edge, go to the webpage you want to screenshot
- Press Ctrl + Shift + P to open the command menu
- Type "screen" and select "Capture full size screenshot"
- The full page screenshot will download automatically
Edge‘s built-in tool produces high-quality, full-page screenshots in a single step. For more customization options, try a browser extension or standalone app.
Browser Extensions for Full Webpage Screenshots
If you frequently need full webpage screenshots, installing a browser extension can streamline the process. These extensions add screenshot tools right into your browser‘s toolbar.
FireShot (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
FireShot is a powerful extension that captures full webpage screenshots in a variety of formats with plenty of customization options. Here‘s how to use it:
- Install the FireShot extension from your browser‘s web store
- Go to the webpage you want to capture
- Click the FireShot icon and select Capture entire page
- Adjust the capture area if needed and click Capture
- Edit, annotate, or blur sensitive info if needed
- Save to your computer or Google Drive, print, or share online
FireShot has both free and paid versions. The free version includes most key features, while the Pro upgrade adds OCR, PDF output, and removes advertisements.
GoFullPage (Chrome, Firefox)
GoFullPage, formerly Full Page Screen Capture, is a slimmed down extension that does one thing and does it well. Use it to quickly grab a full size screenshot in a single click.
- Install the GoFullPage extension
- Navigate to the webpage you want to save
- Click the extension icon
- The full page screenshot will download automatically
There are no editing options, but you can choose between PNG and JPG output in the extension‘s Options menu. The simplicity makes it a great choice when you need a no-frills full page capture.
Standalone Screenshot Apps
For maximum control, flexibility and editing features, you can‘t beat standalone screenshot applications. These programs run outside your browser to bring you the most customization options.
Snagit (Mac, PC)
Snagit is a premium screenshot application that does it all, including scrolling captures, screen recording, and a host of annotation tools. It‘s an ideal choice for those who work with screenshots and screen recordings often.
- Download and install Snagit
- Open the webpage you want to capture
- In Snagit Editor, select the Scrolling Window option
- Click and drag to select the area to capture
- Use the editing tools to annotate, blur, crop, and more
- Export to an image or share via Snagit‘s online hosting
Snagit offers a free trial, after which it requires a one-time license fee. If you only need scrolling screenshots once in a while, a free tool may suffice. But for power users, Snagit is worth the investment.
Capto (Mac)
Capto is a Mac-only screenshot and screen recording app with a built-in organizer for managing your media. To capture a full page screenshot with Capto:
- Open the webpage you want to capture
- Launch Capto and select Web from the top menu
- Click Snap Active Browser URL (or enter a URL manually)
- Use the editing tools to tweak the image as needed
- Export to PNG, JPG, TIFF, GIF, or MP4
The Web Capture feature works as advertised, but occasionally struggles with very long or complex pages. For the most reliable results, stick to Capto‘s screen recording tools and grab the full page in sections.
Tips for the Best Full Page Screenshots
Whichever tool you choose, keep these tips in mind for the best results when capturing full webpage screenshots:
- Ensure the page is fully loaded before starting the capture
- Hide or blur any personal information before sharing
- Check image quality settings for a balance of filesize and clarity
- Use a page ruler bookmarklet to verify the screenshot‘s scale
- Take multiple screenshots of dynamic pages to ensure you don‘t miss anything
- Full page screenshots can get quite tall, so consider breaking them into pieces
- When all else fails, try a different browser or tool
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I take a full page screenshot on mobile?
Most mobile browsers don‘t support full webpage screenshots, but you can use a stitching app like Tailor or LongScreen to combine multiple screenshots into a full page automatically.
Are full page screenshots legal?
In most cases, yes. Screenshots are considered fair use when used for criticism, commentary, education, or research. However, be careful not to infringe on copyrights by sharing full screenshots of protected content.
What‘s the best image format for webpage screenshots?
PNG is usually the best choice, as it‘s widely supported and produces crisp images with a good balance of quality and file size. For larger shots, JPG may be more efficient.
How can I edit or crop screenshots after capturing them?
Most operating systems include basic image editors like Microsoft Paint or Apple Preview. For more advanced edits, try a free editor like paint.net, GIMP, or web-based Pixlr.
Comparison of Full Webpage Screenshot Methods
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Browser built-in tools | Fast, no extra tools needed | Limited quality and format options |
| Browser extensions | Streamlined, customizable, stay in browser | Varying quality, may slow browser, not available for all browsers |
| Standalone apps | Most control, editing features, highest quality, multiple formats | More complex, larger downloads, some require purchase |
| Mobile apps | Only way to get full shots on mobile | More manual, lower quality, screenshots only (no PDFs) |
Ultimately, the best way to take a full webpage screenshot depends on your specific needs and how much time you‘re willing to invest. By now, you should have the knowledge and tools needed to choose the method that‘s right for you and successfully capture those full page shots you need.
Happy screenshotting!
