How to save a webpage in Chrome
A recipe, a long article or a booking page. Here's how to save the whole page, what each option keeps and which one to pick for what you want to do next.
You find a page you want to keep: a tutorial to read on the train, the terms of a purchase or an article that might disappear. Bookmarking it feels like enough, but a bookmark only stores the address. If the page changes or gets deleted, you're left with nothing.
Chrome has several ways to save a webpage, and each one keeps something different. We'll show you how to use each one, step by step, and when it makes sense. If you only care about a paragraph or a quote, there's a separate guide on how to save text from a website.
Saving the page vs. saving the link
Before you start, it helps to know there are two very different ways to "save" a page. You can save a copy on your computer that you can open even without internet, or even if the website changes. Or you can save just the link, which takes up no space and always takes you to the latest version of the page, but only as long as it still exists.
Options 1, 2 and 4 in this guide save a copy. Options 3 and 5 save the link. None is better than the others: it depends on what you need the page for.
1. Save the complete page with Ctrl+S
Open the save dialog
With the page open, press Ctrl+S (Cmd+S on Mac). You can also go to the ⋮ > Cast, save, and share > Save page as… menu.
Pick a format
In the file type list you'll see these options:
Webpage, Complete: saves an HTML file plus a folder next to it with the images and other files from the page. It's the most faithful option.
Webpage, HTML Only: saves just the text and layout, without images.
Webpage, Single File: puts everything into one .mhtml file. It's handy for moving or sending, but on some computers this option doesn't show up.
Save it and open it anytime
Choose a folder, click Save and you're done. To read it, double-click the file: it opens in Chrome even when you're offline.
2. Save the page as a PDF
Open the print dialog
Press Ctrl+P (Cmd+P on Mac) with the page open.
Choose Save as PDF
Under Destination, choose Save as PDF. You'll see a preview of the page on the right.
Save the file
Click Save, pick a folder and you have a PDF of the page exactly as it looked that day.
When a PDF is the right choice
A PDF is the best option for archiving or sending a page: it's a single file, it opens on any computer or phone and it doesn't change even if the website does. It's great for invoices, bookings, purchase terms or an article you want to keep for reference.
Keep in mind that a PDF saves the page the way it looks when printed. The layout may shift a little, and links or buttons may not work the same way as on the website.
3. Save just the link: reading list and bookmarks
If you just want to come back to the page later, you don't need a copy. Right-click the tab and choose Add tab to reading list, or bookmark it with the star in the address bar.
It's the fastest option and it doesn't fill your computer with files. But remember: you're saving the link, not the content. If the page changes, you'll see the new version, and if it disappears, it's gone. If you save lots of links, our guide on saving links in Chrome without cluttering your bookmarks bar will help.
4. A screenshot of the whole page (advanced)
Chrome doesn't have a simple button to capture an entire page from top to bottom. You can do it from the developer tools, though it's a bit technical.
Press Ctrl+Shift+I (Cmd+Option+I on Mac) to open them, then Ctrl+Shift+P (Cmd+Shift+P on Mac), type screenshot and choose Capture full size screenshot. Chrome downloads an image of the full page. It's useful for showing how a site looked, but you can't copy or search the text in an image.
5. The link and the key parts with NexoPad
Save the link in one click
With NexoPad installed, right-click the page and choose NexoPad > ⭐ Save link/page. The link is saved to the General folder. You can also save it from the NexoPad popup.
Save the paragraph that matters
Often you don't want the whole page, just one paragraph. Select it and press Alt+C. It's saved as a note with the page title and link, and you'll see the Saved to NexoPad notice.
Find it later in Clips
Your clips live in ✂️ Clips. That way you keep the idea and, if you want to read the rest, the link back to the page.
Which one should you pick?
To read without internet, for example on a trip, save the complete page or a PDF.
To archive or send to someone, use a PDF: it's a single file and it doesn't change.
To come back later, the link is enough: reading list, bookmarks or NexoPad.
To keep just one idea, clip the paragraph. You'll find more tips for keeping everything in order in our guide to organizing your links and our guide to notes in the browser.
Options compared
| Method | What it saves | Works offline? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webpage, Complete (Ctrl+S) | HTML file and a folder with images | Yes | Reading offline with the original look |
| Webpage, HTML Only | Text and layout, no images | Yes, without images | Keeping just the text |
| Webpage, Single File (.mhtml) | Everything in one file | Yes | Moving or sending the whole page (if you see it) |
| PDF (Ctrl+P) | A fixed copy, as when printed | Yes | Archiving or sending |
| Reading list or bookmarks | Just the link | No | Coming back to the page later |
| Full-page screenshot (DevTools) | An image of the page | Yes | Showing how it looked |
| NexoPad | The link and the paragraphs you clip | No | Saving the link and keeping what matters |
Frequently asked questions
How do I save a webpage to read offline?
Press Ctrl+S (Cmd+S on Mac) and choose Webpage, Complete, or save it as a PDF with Ctrl+P. Both open without a connection.
What's the difference between Webpage, Complete and Single File?
Complete saves an HTML file and a folder with the images. Single File (.mhtml) puts everything into one file, but on some computers this option doesn't show up.
Does the reading list save pages for offline use?
Don't count on it. The reading list and bookmarks save the link: if the page changes or disappears, you lose it. For a copy, use Ctrl+S or a PDF.
Can I take a screenshot of a whole page in Chrome?
Yes, from the developer tools: open the command menu with Ctrl+Shift+P, type screenshot and choose Capture full size screenshot. There's no simple button for everyone.
Does NexoPad save complete webpages?
No. NexoPad saves the page link and the paragraphs you clip with Alt+C, but not the whole page, its images or PDF files, and it doesn't work as an offline archive.
Published on October 20, 20266 min read
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