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How to print a PDF
Plain-English, step-by-step instructions with big pictures. Pick the device you're using and we'll walk you through it — no jargon, no fuss.
Made by a real person, not a giant company. If it helps you, consider buying us a coffee.
Step 1: Which device are you using?
Pick the one that looks most like what you have in front of you. If you're not sure, start with the first one — you can always come back.
I use a Windows computer
Most desktop and laptop PCs. Includes Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Show me how
I use a Mac
Apple desktops and laptops — MacBook, iMac, or Mac mini.
Show me how
I use an iPhone or iPad
Apple phones and tablets with the Apple logo.
Show me how
I use an Android phone
Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola, and most non-Apple phones.
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I use a Chromebook
Laptops that mainly run the Chrome browser.
Show me how
I don't have a printer
Tips for printing at a library, UPS Store, or from a neighbor.
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Why people like this site
Written in plain English
No jargon. No acronyms without explaining them. We write the way a patient friend would.
Big text, big buttons
Designed to be easy on older eyes, with high contrast and large tap targets for phones.
Private by default
We don't ask you to sign in, we don't sell your data, and the PDF tools we recommend run entirely on your own device.
Every device covered
Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android, and Chromebook — all in one place.
More than just printing
Emailing PDFs, combining them, scanning paper, filling out forms — we've got guides for it all.
Reader-supported
No subscription, no upsells. If the site helps you, a small donation keeps it running.
Every guide, all on one page
- Windows How to print a PDF on a Windows computer
- Mac How to print a PDF on a Mac
- iPhone / iPad How to print a PDF from an iPhone or iPad
- Android How to print a PDF from an Android phone
- Chromebook How to print a PDF from a Chromebook
- All What to do if you don't have a printer
- All How to save a web page as a PDF
- All How to email a PDF to someone
- All How to combine two PDFs into one file
- All How to fill out a PDF form
- All How to scan a paper document into a PDF
- All How to save a PDF to a USB flash drive
- All How to spot a phishing email (and what to do about it)
- All How to video call your grandkids (FaceTime, Zoom, Google Meet)
- All How to make strong passwords you will actually remember
- Windows How to install PDFGear on a Windows computer
- Mac How to install PDFGear on a Mac
- All Getting started with PDFGear
Common questions
A few things we get asked a lot. Click any question to read the answer. If yours isn't here, send us a note — we answer every email.
Browse all guidesWhat is a PDF, in plain English?
PDF stands for "Portable Document Format." It's just a fancy name for a file that looks the same no matter which computer or phone opens it — a digital photocopy of a document. Bank statements, tickets, tax forms, and boarding passes are usually PDFs.
Do I need to buy special software?
No. Every computer and phone made in the last 10 years can already open, view, and print a PDF. If someone tries to sell you a "PDF reader," you almost certainly don't need it. Our guides only use what came with your device.
The print button is grayed out. What do I do?
Usually that means the PDF finished downloading but you need to open it first. Look in your Downloads folder, double-click the file, and then try Print again. Our device guides show exactly where your Downloads folder is.
How do I save ink when printing a long PDF?
In the Print window, look for the box labeled "Pages" and type something like
1-5to only print the first five pages. You can also usually pick "Black and white" or "Grayscale" to skip the color ink.Is this site really free?
Yes. The guides are free, the PDF tool is free, and there's no account to make. We run on small ads and optional donations from readers. That's it.