Convert HTML to PDF Online
Free, private HTML to PDF converter. Your files never leave your browser. All processing happens locally on your device.
Drag & drop files here
images, PDFs, documents, audio, video, and more
No Server Uploads
FormatShift converts files directly in your browser. Your files never leave your device, so there's nothing to intercept or leak.
Instant Export
Files convert on your machine, so downloads are ready right away, even on slow connections.
High Fidelity
Good encoding keeps your files looking and sounding right, even at smaller sizes.
Built for Privacy
Your files are processed entirely in your browser. They never leave your device.
How to convert HTML to PDF
Drop your HTML file
Drag your file onto the converter above, or click to browse your files. Your files stay on your device.
Automatic conversion
FormatShift converts your file right in your browser using WebAssembly. No server involved, so your data stays completely private.
Download your PDF file
Once the conversion finishes, click the download button and you are done. The converted file is ready to use.
Why convert HTML to PDF?
HTML and PDF serve different purposes. Converting between them lets you use whichever format works best for your situation.
What is a HTML file?
HyperText Markup Language: HTML is the language that web pages are written in. Every website you visit is HTML at its core. As a file format, .html files are plain text documents that browsers know how to render.
Created by: Tim Berners-Lee / W3C, first published in 1993
Used for: Web pages, email templates, documentation, any content displayed in a browser
Technical details: Tag-based markup language. Supports text, images, links, tables, forms, and embedded media. Can include CSS for styling and JavaScript for interactivity.
Compatibility: Every web browser renders HTML. It is the most universally supported document format.
What is a PDF file?
Portable Document Format: PDF is the standard for sharing documents that need to look the same everywhere. Resumes, contracts, manuals, reports, if the formatting matters, it's probably a PDF.
Created by: Adobe Systems, first released in 1993
Used for: Business documents, forms, reports, ebooks, printable files
Technical details: Can contain text, images, vector graphics, fonts, and interactive elements. Fixed layout means the document looks identical on every device.
Compatibility: Every major browser can display PDFs. Dedicated readers exist for all platforms.
HTML vs PDF
| Feature | HTML | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | HyperText Markup Language | Portable Document Format |
| Best for | Web pages, email templates, documentation, any content displayed in a browser | Business documents, forms, reports, ebooks, printable files |
| Compatibility | Every web browser renders HTML. It is the most universally supported document format. | Every major browser can display PDFs. Dedicated readers exist for all platforms. |
| Pros | Universal browser support, can include rich media, easy to inspect and edit | Consistent appearance everywhere, widely accepted, supports forms and signatures |
| Cons | Requires a browser to view as intended, raw HTML is not as readable as Markdown | Difficult to edit without special software, not responsive to screen size |