Whether you’re saving a web page for reference, reporting a bug, or collecting content, capturing the entire page—not just what’s visible on the screen—can be incredibly useful. Taking a full screenshot in Chrome is easier than you might think. In this guide, we’ll walk you through multiple ways to take a full screenshot in Chrome, with and without extensions. If you need to capture more than just what’s visible on your screen, taking a full screenshot in Chrome is the answer. Whether you’re saving an article, documenting web design, or sharing a conversation, here are three easy ways to capture an entire web page in Google Chrome.
Why Take a Full Screenshot in Chrome?
A full-page screenshot captures everything on a webpage, including the parts that require scrolling. This is particularly useful for:
- Saving blog posts, tutorials and long articles
- Capturing website layouts, full receipts, chat logs, or code snippets
- Documenting software issues
- Sharing webpages for review or feedback
- Keeping records for research or documentation
- Creating visual archives of webpages
Method 1: Use Chrome’s Built-In Developer Tools (No Extension Needed)
Chrome has a built-in way to take a full screenshot using Developer Tools without needing any extensions. Here’s how:
🛠️ Steps:
- Open Chrome and navigate to the web page you want to capture.
- To open Developer Tools, click on ellipsis menu (three vertical dots). Scroll down until you find More tools. Click on Developer tools from sub menu.
- Press
Ctrl
+Shift
+P
from keyboard to open the Command Menu (for Mac –>Cmd
+Shift
+P
). - Type screenshot (as shown in image) and chrome will show you options related to screenshots. Select Capture full size screenshot. Wait for few seconds and chrome will automatically download a full-page screenshot as a PNG file.
- Note: Keep in mind that if the screenshot you have taken is too long then you will have to zoom in to read it. But in case if your system is not able to zoom in enough to read it easily then follow the steps given below to read it easily.
- Click on symbol of downloaded files (as shown in image). Then click on folder icon next to your downloaded file. It will open a folder where your file is downloaded.
- Right click on selected file. Select the Open With option and choose your preferred browser in which you want to open the image. Here, we are going to select browser Google Chrome. Click anywhere on the image and Chrome will zoom in on the image according to the resolution of your display.
✅ Pros: No extensions required, quick and easy to use
⚠️ Cons: Hidden behind developer tools, not very intuitive for non-developers
Pro tip: This method is best for static pages. For dynamic or interactive pages, extensions work better.
Method 2: Use the Print Feature (for PDF)
If you want to save a full page as a PDF rather than an image, Chrome’s print tool is a handy workaround.
🛠️ Steps:
- Press
Ctrl
+P
(orCmd
+P
on Mac). - Under Destination, choose Save as PDF.
- Set Layout and Margins as needed.
- Ensure the Background graphics option is checked.
- Click Save to export the full webpage as a PDF.
✅ Pros: No extensions needed, outputs a clean PDF
⚠️ Cons: Limited image formatting options
Method 3: Use a Chrome Extension
For users who frequently need to take full-page screenshots, installing a Chrome extension can save time and add extra features. For easier access, there are various Chrome extensions, that allows you to capture a full screenshot in Chrome with one click. These extensions automatically scroll through the page to take a complete snapshot without needing you to manually scroll or use developer tools. And many of these extensions allow for additional editing or annotation options right after you take a full screenshot in Chrome.
Popular Extensions:
How to Use GoFullPage:
- Install GoFullPage from the Chrome Web Store.
- Navigate to the page you want to capture.
- Click the GoFullPage icon in your extensions toolbar.
- Wait a few seconds while it scrolls and captures the entire page.
- There are many options available for the captured screenshot like Download it as an image or pdf, Edit screenshot. You can also change the image format by clicking on Settings (or Gear) icon.
✅ Pros: User-friendly, additional formats like PDF, editing tools
⚠️ Cons: Requires installation, may not work well on very dynamic pages
📱 On Mobile: Taking Full Screenshot in Chrome (Android)
If you’re browsing Chrome on Android, you can take a full screenshot using native features (depending on your phone model).
📲 Android (Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, etc.):
- Take a regular screenshot (usually by pressing Power + Volume Down).
- Tap the Capture more or Scrolling screenshot option that appears.
- Drag to extend the screenshot and save.
Note: Unfortunately, iPhones don’t currently support scrolling screenshots in Chrome without third-party apps.
🧩 Bonus: Advanced Tools for Power Users
For advanced features like annotation, batch screenshots, or cloud sharing, consider tools like:
- Snagit (Premium)
- ShareX (Free, Windows)
- Nimbus Capture (Browser + Desktop)
These tools are great for marketers, developers, and educators who work with screenshots often. These tools work outside the browser and are perfect for professional workflows.
📌 Conclusion: Choose Your Best Option
Taking a full screenshot in Chrome is quick and easy. Whether you use Chrome’s native tools, a browser extension, or mobile features, you can capture entire pages in seconds.
Use Case | Best Method |
One-time or quick use | Developer Tools |
Frequent use | Chrome Extension |
Save as PDF | Print Tool |
On Android | Use native scrolling screenshot features |
📚 FAQ – Full Screenshot in Chrome
Q: Summary to take full screenshots without an extension in Chrome?
A: Open Developer Tools > Command Menu > Search for Screenshot > Capture full size screenshot
Q: What’s the best extension for full-page screenshots in Chrome?
A: GoFullPage and Awesome Screenshot & Screen Recorder are highly rated and user-friendly.
Q: Can I take a full screenshot in Chrome on iPhone?
A: Not natively. You’ll need a third-party app or use your desktop.
Q: What is the shortcut to Open Developer Tool in Chrome?
A: In Windows –> Ctrl + Shift + I (or F12) and in Mac –> Cmd + Option + I
🏁 Final Thoughts
Taking a full screenshot in Chrome is easier than ever, whether you use Chrome’s hidden features, browser extensions, or third-party apps. Choose the method that fits your needs, and start capturing full web pages in just a few clicks.
Now, you know very well about how to take a full screenshot in Chrome without extensions and with extension. Full screenshot in Chrome allows you to capture the entire content of a webpage, including parts that are outside your visible screen area. If this post helped you then please share it with your friends and family to know about it. If you have any questions then feel free to ask in comment section. We will try our best to help you. You can read more such interesting articles here.
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