By Ygor Henrique — Feb 21, 2025

How to Convert HTML to PDF with an API: The Ultimate Guide for Developers

Convert HTML to PDF effortlessly with our free API! Fast, reliable, and simple—generate PDFs from webpages, reports, or invoices in seconds. Learn how in our ultimate guide."

Photo by Douglas Lopes / Unsplash

Have you ever needed to generate a PDF from HTML content—like a webpage, invoice, or report—only to get bogged down by complex libraries or broken formatting? You’re not alone. Developers everywhere wrestle with turning HTML into polished PDFs without pulling their hair out. That’s where an HTML to PDF API comes in—a simple, fast, and reliable solution that skips the hassle and delivers results in seconds.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about using an API to convert HTML to PDF. We’ll explore why it’s a game-changer, how it works, and—most importantly—how you can start using one today to streamline your projects. Whether you’re building a SaaS app, generating reports for clients, or just curious about the easiest way to create PDFs, this article has you covered. Let’s dive in!

Why Use an HTML to PDF API?

Converting HTML to PDF might sound simple, but anyone who’s tried it knows the pitfalls: inconsistent rendering, bloated libraries, or hours spent debugging CSS. An API to convert HTML to PDF solves these problems by offloading the heavy lifting to a cloud-based service. Here’s why it’s worth your time:

The Pain of Traditional Methods

Traditional approaches—like using local libraries (e.g., jsPDF or wkhtmltopdf)—often mean:

Setup Overload: Installing and maintaining dependencies eats up time.
Rendering Issues: Browser inconsistencies can break your layouts.
Performance Hits: Large HTML files slow down your app.

An API eliminates these headaches by handling the conversion remotely, giving you clean, professional PDFs without touching your codebase.

Benefits of an API Approach

Speed: Generate PDFs in seconds with a single HTTP request.
Simplicity: No need to wrestle with complex tools—just send HTML and get a PDF back.
Scalability: Perfect for apps with heavy PDF-generation needs, like e-commerce or reporting tools.
Cross-Platform Consistency: APIs ensure your PDFs look the same everywhere.

Why use an HTML to PDF API? It’s faster, simpler, and more reliable than local libraries, letting you convert HTML to PDF with one API call.

What Can You Do with an HTML to PDF API?

The beauty of an HTML to PDF converter API lies in its versatility. It’s not just about slapping text into a file—it’s about creating dynamic, professional documents. Here are some real-world use cases:

Invoices and Receipts: Turn HTML templates into branded PDFs for customers.
Reports: Convert dashboards or charts into shareable documents.
Webpage Archives: Save a webpage as a PDF with all styling intact.
Contracts: Generate legal documents from HTML forms.
E-books: Compile blog posts or guides into downloadable PDFs.

Imagine you’re running a Next.js app and need to generate PDFs on the fly. With an API, you can skip server-side rendering nightmares and deliver a PDF with one call. No mess, no fuss.

How Does an HTML to PDF API Work?

Curious about the magic behind an API to convert HTML to PDF? It’s surprisingly straightforward. Here’s the breakdown:

You Send HTML: Provide your HTML content (plus optional CSS) via an HTTP request.
The API Processes It: A cloud server renders your HTML into a PDF, handling fonts, images, and layouts.
You Get a PDF: The API returns a downloadable file or a link, ready to use.

Most APIs, like our PDF-API, let you customize the output—think page size (A4 or letter), orientation (portrait or landscape), and even margins. It’s like having a virtual printer that never jams.

Step-by-Step: How to Use an HTML to PDF API

Ready to try it yourself? Let’s walk through how to use PDF-API, a free and simple service that converts HTML to PDF in a snap. Don’t worry—no coding PhD required!

Step 1: Get Your API Key

Head to pdf-api.co.
Enter your email in the “Get Started” section.
Get your unique API key (it’s free!).

Step 2: Prepare Your HTML

Keep it simple or go wild—PDF-API handles anything from <h1>Hello World</h1> to full-blown webpages with CSS and images. For example:html

<body>
  <h1>My First PDF</h1>
  <p>This is a test document generated with an API!</p>
  <img src="https://example.com/image.jpg" alt="Sample Image">
</body>

Step 3: Make the API Call

Use a POST request to send your HTML to https://pdf-api.co/pdf. Here’s a quick cURL example (replace YOUR_API_KEY with your key):bash

curl -X POST https://pdf-api.co/pdf \
-H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
-d '{
    "apiKey": "YOUR_API_KEY",
    "format": "A4",
    "landscape": false,
    "html": "<body><h1>My First PDF</h1><p>This is a test document generated with an API!</p></body>"
}'

You’ll get a PDF file back in seconds. Easy, right?

Step 4: Test and Tweak

Check the output. Need landscape mode? Adjust the "landscape": true parameter. Want a different size? Swap "format": "A4" for "letter". The PDF-API docs have all the details.

How do you use an HTML to PDF API? Sign up for a key, send your HTML via a POST request, and download the generated PDF.

Why Our HTML to PDF API Stands Out

With so many tools out there, why choose PDF-API? We’ve built it with developers in mind:

Free to Start: No credit card, no catch—just sign up and go.
Lightweight: No bulky libraries or server setup required.
Reliable: Consistent rendering across all HTML inputs.
Fast: PDFs generated in under a second, even with complex content.

Compare that to alternatives like Puppeteer (which needs a server) or paid APIs with steep fees, and the choice is clear.

Common Questions About HTML to PDF APIs

Is There a Free HTML to PDF API?

Yes! PDF-API offers a free tier that’s perfect for testing or small projects. No hidden fees—just sign up and start converting.

Can I Use It with Next.js?

Absolutely. Since it’s an HTTP-based API, you can call it from a Next.js app (client-side or server-side) with tools like fetch or axios. No need for heavy dependencies.

Does It Support CSS and Images?

Yep. Send HTML with inline CSS, external stylesheets, or embedded images, and PDF-API renders it all faithfully.

How Fast Is It?

Most conversions take less than a second, even with complex HTML. It’s built for speed and scale.

Start Converting HTML to PDF Today

If you’re tired of wrestling with PDF generation, an HTML to PDF API like PDF-API is your ticket to freedom. It’s fast, free to start, and handles everything from simple text to styled webpages. Whether you’re a developer building an app or a business owner creating reports, this tool saves time and sanity.

Ready to give it a shot? Grab your API key at pdf-api.co and test it out.

Have questions or cool use cases? Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear from you! And if you found this guide helpful, share it with your fellow coders. Let’s make PDF generation painless together.