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How to Render an HTML File to PDF in C#

Render HTML File to PDF in C# with IronPDF

Regan Pun
Regan Pun
Updated:

IronPDF converts HTML files to PDF documents in C# by rendering them through a Chrome-based engine, requiring just a single method call to transform any accessible HTML file into a professional PDF output.

IronPDF renders any HTML file that the machine has access to, making it a straightforward solution for PDF generation.

Quickstart: Convert HTML File to PDF with IronPDF

Convert HTML files to PDF using IronPDF in just a few lines of code. The ChromePdfRenderer class transforms HTML content into PDF documents quickly. Specify your HTML file path and IronPDF handles the conversion. This streamlined process makes it ideal for adding PDF generation functionality to C# applications.

Nuget IconGet started making PDFs with NuGet now:

  1. Install IronPDF with NuGet Package Manager

    PM > Install-Package IronPdf

  2. Copy and run this code snippet.

    new IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer()
  .RenderHtmlFileAsPdf("path/to/your/file.html")
  .SaveAs("output.pdf");

  3. Deploy to test on your live environment

    Start using IronPDF in your project today with a free trial
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Minimal Workflow (5 steps)

IronPDF tutorial showing 5 steps to convert HTML to PDF in C# with NuGet installation command
  1. Download IronPDF Library for HTML to PDF Conversion
  2. Instantiate the `ChromePdfRenderer` class
  3. Configure the `RenderingOptions` to fine-tune the output PDF
  4. Pass the HTML file path to the renderer
  5. Save and download the PDF

How Do I Convert HTML Files to PDF Using IronPDF?

IronPDF renders HTML files into PDFs using the RenderHtmlFileAsPdf method. The parameter is a filepath to a local HTML file.

This method allows developers to test HTML content in a browser during development. They can verify rendering fidelity before conversion. Chrome is recommended as IronPDF's rendering engine is based on it.

If content displays correctly in Chrome, it will render accurately in IronPDF. For precise rendering requirements, check our guide on debugging HTML with Chrome to ensure your PDFs match your expectations.

What HTML Content Can I Convert?

This is the example.html HTML file that the code renders:

<!-- :path=/static-assets/pdf/how-to/html-file-to-pdf/example.html -->
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
    <head>
        <title>Page Title</title>
    </head>

    <body>
        <h1>My First Heading</h1>
        <p>My first paragraph.</p>
    </body>
</html>

<!-- :path=/static-assets/pdf/how-to/html-file-to-pdf/example.html -->
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
    <head>
        <title>Page Title</title>
    </head>

    <body>
        <h1>My First Heading</h1>
        <p>My first paragraph.</p>
    </body>
</html>
HTML

The HTML file rendered on the web is displayed below.

IronPDF supports advanced HTML features including CSS3, JavaScript, images, and fonts. Learn more about rendering options to customize your PDF output with headers, footers, margins, and more.

How Do I Implement the Conversion in C#?

:path=/static-assets/pdf/content-code-examples/how-to/html-file-to-pdf.cs
using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Engines.Chrome;
using IronPdf.Rendering;


var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer
{
    RenderingOptions = new ChromePdfRenderOptions
    {
        CssMediaType = PdfCssMediaType.Print,
        MarginBottom = 0,
        MarginLeft = 0,
        MarginRight = 0,
        MarginTop = 0,
        Timeout = 120,
    },
};
renderer.RenderingOptions.WaitFor.RenderDelay(50);

// Create a PDF from an existing HTML file using C#
var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdf("example.html");

// Export to a file or Stream
pdf.SaveAs("output.pdf");
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

The RenderHtmlFileAsPdf method returns a PdfDocument object, which holds PDF information. You can manipulate this object further — for instance, you might add headers and footers, apply watermarks, or merge multiple PDFs into a single document.

The rendering options customize the output. Setting CssMediaType to Print applies print-specific CSS rules, while margin settings create a full-bleed document. The 120-second timeout allows complex HTML files with external resources to load completely.

The 50-millisecond RenderDelay ensures all resources load before creating the PDF. This helps with JavaScript-heavy pages. For complex scenarios with dynamic content, explore our guide on JavaScript rendering.

What Does the Final PDF Output Look Like?

This is the PDF file that the code produced:

How Can I Use Chrome's Default Print Settings?

To use Chrome's default print options, access the DefaultChrome property of the ChromePdfRenderOptions class and assign it to RenderingOptions. With this setting, IronPDF's output matches Chrome Print Preview exactly.

:path=/static-assets/pdf/content-code-examples/how-to/html-file-to-pdf-default-chrome.cs
using IronPdf;

ChromePdfRenderer renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Configure the rendering options to default Chrome options
renderer.RenderingOptions = ChromePdfRenderOptions.DefaultChrome;
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

Chrome's default settings work well when you want PDFs to match what users see when printing from their browser. This approach handles common print settings like page breaks, header/footer formatting, and standard margins automatically.

Additional Conversion Options

IronPDF offers several related features that enhance PDF generation workflows:

Performance Considerations

When converting HTML files to PDF in production environments, consider these optimizations:

  1. Async Operations: Use async PDF generation methods for better application responsiveness.
  2. Caching: Cache resulting PDFs when converting the same HTML file multiple times to avoid repeated rendering.
  3. Resource Management: Always dispose of PdfDocument objects when finished to free memory resources.
  4. Batch Processing: Reuse the same ChromePdfRenderer instance when converting multiple files for better performance.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter issues during HTML to PDF conversion, try these solutions:

  • Missing Resources: Ensure all CSS, JavaScript, and image files referenced in your HTML are accessible from the file's location.
  • Font Rendering: For consistent font rendering across systems, embed fonts in your HTML or explore our font management guide.
  • Large Files: For HTML files with many images or complex layouts, use PDF compression techniques to reduce file size.

Ready to see what else you can do? Check out our tutorial page here: Convert PDFs

Frequently Asked Questions

What rendering engine does the HTML to PDF conversion use?

IronPDF uses a Chrome-based rendering engine to convert HTML files to PDF. This ensures that your HTML content renders accurately in the PDF, matching how it appears in Chrome browser.

How do I convert an HTML file to PDF in C#?

Use IronPDF's ChromePdfRenderer class with the RenderHtmlFileAsPdf method. Simply pass your HTML file path as a parameter and save the output using the SaveAs method. The entire conversion requires just a few lines of code.

What HTML features are supported in the PDF conversion?

IronPDF supports advanced HTML features including CSS3, JavaScript, images, and fonts. The Chrome-based engine ensures full compatibility with modern web standards during the conversion process.

Can I customize the PDF output with headers and footers?

Yes, IronPDF allows extensive customization of PDF output. You can add headers and footers, apply watermarks, set margins, and merge multiple PDFs. The RenderingOptions configuration provides fine-tuned control over the final document.

How can I ensure my HTML renders correctly before converting to PDF?

Test your HTML content in Chrome browser before conversion. Since IronPDF uses a Chrome-based rendering engine, content that displays correctly in Chrome will render accurately in the PDF. For precise requirements, use IronPDF's debugging guide for pixel-perfect rendering.

What object type does the conversion method return?

The RenderHtmlFileAsPdf method returns a PdfDocument object. This object contains all PDF information and can be manipulated further for additional operations like adding watermarks or merging with other PDFs.

Regan Pun
Regan Pun
  Chat with engineering team now
Software Engineer
Regan graduated from the University of Reading, with a BA in Electronic Engineering. Before joining Iron Software, his previous job roles had him laser-focused on single tasks; and what he most enjoys at Iron Software is the spectrum of work he gets to undertake, whether it’s adding value to ...
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