How to Print to PDF (Windows, Mac, iPhone)

To print to PDF, open the document or web page, press Ctrl + P (Cmd + P on Mac), and choose “Save as PDF” or “Microsoft Print to PDF” as the printer. The file saves to your computer as a PDF — no paper, no ink, no extra software.

Where the PDF option lives

The wording differs by system, but it’s always in the print dialog:

Method 1: Windows

1. Open what you want to save — a Word document, a web page, or a photo.
2. Press Ctrl + P.
3. In the Printer dropdown, choose Microsoft Print to PDF.
4. Set page range, orientation, or paper size if needed.
5. Click Print.
6. Windows asks where to save — pick a folder, name the file, and click Save.

Any app with a print dialog works this way, including Notepad, browsers, and PDF readers.

Method 2: Mac

1. Press Cmd + P.
2. In the print dialog, look for the PDF dropdown at the bottom-left.
3. Choose Save as PDF.
4. Name it, choose a location, and click Save.

Bonus: the same dropdown has Save as PDF alternatives like Export as PDF (for forms) and Open in Preview — handy for editing before you save.

Method 3: Any web page (Chrome or Edge)

1. Press Ctrl + P.
2. Set Destination to Save as PDF.
3. Under More settings, decide whether to include headers, backgrounds, or only selected text.
4. Click Save.

This is the best way to keep a receipt, booking confirmation, or article you don’t want to lose when the page changes.

Method 4: iPhone and Android

iPhone:

1. Open the document, page, or photo.
2. Tap Share → Print.
3. On the print preview, pinch outward on the thumbnail — it turns into a PDF.
4. Tap Share → Save to Files.

Android: tap the menu → Share or Print → Save as PDF, then choose a folder.

Tips that make print-to-PDF better

• Page range: in the print dialog, choose “Selection” to save only part of a document.
• Word documents: print to PDF keeps the layout, but if you need to edit the text later, see how to edit a PDF.
• File too big? Long pages with images get heavy — see how to reduce PDF size.
• Many files? Combine them afterwards with how to merge PDF files.

Need the reverse - pulling a PDF into a spreadsheet? See how to convert PDF to Excel for the Word route, or edit a PDF to change its text first.

FAQ

How do I print to PDF on Windows?

Press Ctrl + P, choose Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer, then click Print and pick where to save it.

How do I print to PDF on a Mac?

Press Cmd + P, then use the PDF dropdown at the bottom-left and choose Save as PDF.

How do I save a web page as a PDF?

In Chrome or Edge, press Ctrl + P and set Destination to Save as PDF, then click Save.

Can I print to PDF on my phone?

Yes. On iPhone, Share → Print → pinch the preview outward → Share → Save to Files. On Android, choose Save as PDF in the print menu.

Does print to PDF work without extra software?

Yes — Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android all include a PDF option in the print dialog. No downloads needed.