Generating PDF Files in C# (2026 Guide)

What is IronPDF?

IronPDF is a leading .NET PDF library recognized by developers worldwide for HTML-to-PDF conversion and comprehensive PDF manipulation. Built specifically for C# developers, IronPDF eliminates the complexity traditionally associated with PDF generation.

IronPDF utilizes a .NET Chromium engine to convert HTML pages to PDF documents. With HTML to PDF, there's no need to use complex APIs to position or design PDFs. IronPDF supports standard web documents: HTML, ASPX, JS, CSS, and images.

It enables you to create PDF documents using HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and images. You can easily edit, stamp, and add headers and footers to PDFs. Furthermore, it makes it simple to read PDF content efficiently with IronPDF and extract images.

IronPDF provides a comprehensive solution to all PDF-related problems. When you use IronPDF, you get all conversions in a single library, along with PDF manipulation tasks, requiring no external dependencies. IronPDF is a complete package and a great tool for developers and C# programmers.

IronPDF helps us to generate PDF files from the following:

• HTML Strings and Templates
• ASPX WebForms
• MVC Views
• HTML documents
• Any URL

Steps to Generate PDF Documents

First, create a new Visual Studio Project. This tutorial uses the Console Application template, but you can use any template according to your requirements.

You may also use your existing project in which you want to add PDF generation capabilities.

Install-Package IronPdf

using IronPdf;

using IronPdf;

Generate PDF Files from HTML String

IronPDF can generate PDF files from HTML text quite easily. The following example illustrates this capability. Use this option when you need to convert HTML markup to PDF.

Add the following namespace:

using IronPdf;

using IronPdf;

Using the following code example:

// Instantiate the PDF renderer
var Renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Render HTML as PDF and save the result
Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>This is the Tutorial for C# Generate PDF</h1>")
        .SaveAs("GeneratePDF.pdf");

// Instantiate the PDF renderer
var Renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Render HTML as PDF and save the result
Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>This is the Tutorial for C# Generate PDF</h1>")
        .SaveAs("GeneratePDF.pdf");

In the above code, create a new ChromePdfRenderer, then call RenderHtmlAsPdf and SaveAs for the result.

Generate Your First PDF Files

After installing IronPDF, you can effortlessly create PDF files using just a few lines of code. Copy the code below, paste it into Visual Studio, and run the program.

// Create a new PDF renderer
var pdf = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Render HTML to PDF
PdfDocument doc = pdf.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>This is a heading</h1>");

// Save the document
doc.SaveAs("FirstPDFDocument.pdf");

// Create a new PDF renderer
var pdf = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Render HTML to PDF
PdfDocument doc = pdf.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>This is a heading</h1>");

// Save the document
doc.SaveAs("FirstPDFDocument.pdf");

After execution, there will be a file named "FirstPDFDocument.pdf" in the bin folder of your project. Double-click the file to open it in your browser.

First PDF document displaying the rendered heading

Creating PDF files in C# or converting HTML to PDF is just a few lines of code using IronPDF.

Generate PDF Document from URL

Creating a PDF file in C# using a URL is just as easy as the previous example with three lines of code. The following code demonstrates how to create PDF from a URL with IronPDF.

using IronPdf;

// Instantiate renderer
var Renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Render URL as PDF
var PDF = Renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf("https://www.wikipedia.org");

// Save to file
PDF.SaveAs("wikipedia.pdf");

using IronPdf;

// Instantiate renderer
var Renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Render URL as PDF
var PDF = Renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf("https://www.wikipedia.org");

// Save to file
PDF.SaveAs("wikipedia.pdf");

Generate PDF from HTML Files

IronPDF can also generate PDFs from existing HTML files on disk. This is useful when you have pre-designed HTML templates or static files that need conversion.

using IronPdf;

// Instantiate renderer
var Renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Load and render HTML file
var PDF = Renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdf("HtmlPage.html");

// Save the PDF
PDF.SaveAs("FromHtmlFile.pdf");

using IronPdf;

// Instantiate renderer
var Renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Load and render HTML file
var PDF = Renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdf("HtmlPage.html");

// Save the PDF
PDF.SaveAs("FromHtmlFile.pdf");

Generate PDF Document from ASP.NET Web Forms

IronPDF provides seamless integration with ASP.NET Web Forms, allowing you to render dynamic web pages as PDF documents.

using IronPdf.AspNetCore;

// Render current page as PDF
var currentPagePdf = AspNetCore.RenderThisPageAsPdf();

// Render specific page as PDF
var specificPagePdf = AspNetCore.RenderPageAsPdf("/Page.aspx");

// Render page with parameters
var pageWithParamsPdf = AspNetCore.RenderPageAsPdf("/Page.aspx?id=100");

// Save the result
currentPagePdf.SaveAs("MyASPXPage.pdf");

using IronPdf.AspNetCore;

// Render current page as PDF
var currentPagePdf = AspNetCore.RenderThisPageAsPdf();

// Render specific page as PDF
var specificPagePdf = AspNetCore.RenderPageAsPdf("/Page.aspx");

// Render page with parameters
var pageWithParamsPdf = AspNetCore.RenderPageAsPdf("/Page.aspx?id=100");

// Save the result
currentPagePdf.SaveAs("MyASPXPage.pdf");

Generate PDF from ASP.NET MVC View

IronPDF integrates perfectly with ASP.NET MVC applications, allowing you to render MVC Views directly as PDF documents.

using IronPdf.AspNetCore;

// Render MVC View as PDF
var viewPdf = AspNetCore.RenderViewAsPdf("/Home/Index");

// Render with model data
var modelData = new YourModelClass { Name = "John Doe", OrderId = 12345 };
var viewWithModelPdf = AspNetCore.RenderViewAsPdf("/Views/Invoice/Index", modelData);

// Save the PDF
viewPdf.SaveAs("MyMVCView.pdf");

using IronPdf.AspNetCore;

// Render MVC View as PDF
var viewPdf = AspNetCore.RenderViewAsPdf("/Home/Index");

// Render with model data
var modelData = new YourModelClass { Name = "John Doe", OrderId = 12345 };
var viewWithModelPdf = AspNetCore.RenderViewAsPdf("/Views/Invoice/Index", modelData);

// Save the PDF
viewPdf.SaveAs("MyMVCView.pdf");

Add Headers and Footers to PDF Documents

Professional PDF documents often require headers and footers for branding, page numbers, dates, and metadata. IronPDF provides two methods: text-based and HTML-based headers and footers.

var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Configure page numbering
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.FirstPageNumber = 1;

// Header options
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.DrawDividerLine = true;
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.CenterText = "This is Header {date} {time}";
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.FontFamily = "Helvetica,Arial";
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.FontSize = 12;

// Footer options
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.DrawDividerLine = true;
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.FontFamily = "Arial";
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.FontSize = 10;
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.LeftText = "{date} {time}";
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.RightText = "{page} of {total-pages}";

// Generate PDF with headers and footers
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>This is my Sample Page for Generate PDF Tutorial</h1>")
                 .SaveAs("GeneratePDF.pdf");

var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Configure page numbering
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.FirstPageNumber = 1;

// Header options
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.DrawDividerLine = true;
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.CenterText = "This is Header {date} {time}";
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.FontFamily = "Helvetica,Arial";
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.FontSize = 12;

// Footer options
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.DrawDividerLine = true;
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.FontFamily = "Arial";
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.FontSize = 10;
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.LeftText = "{date} {time}";
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.RightText = "{page} of {total-pages}";

// Generate PDF with headers and footers
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>This is my Sample Page for Generate PDF Tutorial</h1>")
                 .SaveAs("GeneratePDF.pdf");

var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Configure HTML footer
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlFooter = new HtmlHeaderFooter()
{
    Height = 15,
    HtmlFragment = "<center><i>{page} of {total-pages}</i></center>",
    DrawDividerLine = true
};

// Configure HTML header
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlHeader = new HtmlHeaderFooter()
{
    Height = 20,
    HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align: center; font-weight: bold;'>This is Header {date}</div>",
};

// Generate PDF
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>This is sample page for Tutorial.</h1>")
                 .SaveAs("GeneratePDF.pdf");

var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Configure HTML footer
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlFooter = new HtmlHeaderFooter()
{
    Height = 15,
    HtmlFragment = "<center><i>{page} of {total-pages}</i></center>",
    DrawDividerLine = true
};

// Configure HTML header
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlHeader = new HtmlHeaderFooter()
{
    Height = 20,
    HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align: center; font-weight: bold;'>This is Header {date}</div>",
};

// Generate PDF
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>This is sample page for Tutorial.</h1>")
                 .SaveAs("GeneratePDF.pdf");

Encrypt PDF Documents with a Password

Security is paramount for sensitive documents. IronPDF makes it simple to encrypt PDF documents with password protection.

var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Generate PDF document
var pdfDocument = ChromePdfRenderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello world</h1>");

// Set password to encrypt the document
pdfDocument.Password = "Password@1234";

// Save the secured PDF
pdfDocument.SaveAs("secured.pdf");

var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Generate PDF document
var pdfDocument = ChromePdfRenderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello world</h1>");

// Set password to encrypt the document
pdfDocument.Password = "Password@1234";

// Save the secured PDF
pdfDocument.SaveAs("secured.pdf");

Merge and Split PDF Documents

IronPDF provides powerful capabilities for merging multiple PDF documents and splitting pages from existing documents.

var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Load existing PDFs
var pdfDocuments = new List<PdfDocument>
{
    PdfDocument.FromFile("AccountPdf.pdf"),
    PdfDocument.FromFile("GeneratePDF.pdf"),
    PdfDocument.FromFile("wikipedia.pdf")
};

// Merge PDFs into a single document
var mergedPdfDocument = PdfDocument.Merge(pdfDocuments);
mergedPdfDocument.SaveAs("merged.pdf");

// Add a cover page
mergedPdfDocument.PrependPdf(ChromePdfRenderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Cover Page</h1><hr>"));

// Remove the last page
mergedPdfDocument.RemovePage(mergedPdfDocument.PageCount - 1);
mergedPdfDocument.SaveAs("merged.pdf");

// Extract specific pages
mergedPdfDocument.CopyPages(1, 2).SaveAs("excerpt.pdf");

var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Load existing PDFs
var pdfDocuments = new List<PdfDocument>
{
    PdfDocument.FromFile("AccountPdf.pdf"),
    PdfDocument.FromFile("GeneratePDF.pdf"),
    PdfDocument.FromFile("wikipedia.pdf")
};

// Merge PDFs into a single document
var mergedPdfDocument = PdfDocument.Merge(pdfDocuments);
mergedPdfDocument.SaveAs("merged.pdf");

// Add a cover page
mergedPdfDocument.PrependPdf(ChromePdfRenderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Cover Page</h1><hr>"));

// Remove the last page
mergedPdfDocument.RemovePage(mergedPdfDocument.PageCount - 1);
mergedPdfDocument.SaveAs("merged.pdf");

// Extract specific pages
mergedPdfDocument.CopyPages(1, 2).SaveAs("excerpt.pdf");

Include PDFs in your project as "Content" to access them by filename.

Merged PDF document combining multiple source files

Extract Images from PDF Documents

This feature requires the System.Drawing.Common NuGet package. Use ExtractAllText to get text and ExtractAllImages to get images.

var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Load existing PDF
var pdfDocument = PdfDocument.FromFile("wikipedia.pdf");

// Get all text
var allText = pdfDocument.ExtractAllText();

// Get all Images
var allImages = pdfDocument.ExtractAllImages();

// Extract images and text by page
for (var index = 0; index < pdfDocument.PageCount; index++)
{
    var pageNumber = index + 1;
    var pageText = pdfDocument.ExtractTextFromPage(index);
    var pageImages = pdfDocument.ExtractImagesFromPage(index);
}

var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Load existing PDF
var pdfDocument = PdfDocument.FromFile("wikipedia.pdf");

// Get all text
var allText = pdfDocument.ExtractAllText();

// Get all Images
var allImages = pdfDocument.ExtractAllImages();

// Extract images and text by page
for (var index = 0; index < pdfDocument.PageCount; index++)
{
    var pageNumber = index + 1;
    var pageText = pdfDocument.ExtractTextFromPage(index);
    var pageImages = pdfDocument.ExtractImagesFromPage(index);
}

You need to add System.Drawing to save images as bitmaps.

Enable JavaScript

Modern web pages rely on JavaScript for dynamic content. IronPDF's Chromium engine fully supports JavaScript execution.

var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Enable JavaScript rendering
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions = new ChromePdfRenderOptions()
{
    EnableJavaScript = true,
    RenderDelay = 100  // Wait for JavaScript to execute
};

var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Enable JavaScript rendering
ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions = new ChromePdfRenderOptions()
{
    EnableJavaScript = true,
    RenderDelay = 100  // Wait for JavaScript to execute
};

Increase RenderDelay for pages with heavy JavaScript processing or AJAX calls (500-1000ms for complex SPAs).

PDF OCR and Text Extraction

In many cases, you can extract embedded text from PDF documents directly:

// Load PDF
PdfDocument PDF = PdfDocument.FromFile("GeneratePDF.pdf");

// Extract all text 
string Text = PDF.ExtractAllText();

// Load PDF
PdfDocument PDF = PdfDocument.FromFile("GeneratePDF.pdf");

// Extract all text 
string Text = PDF.ExtractAllText();

If direct extraction doesn't work, your text is likely embedded in an image. Use the IronOCR library to scan documents for visual text:

using IronOcr;

var ocr = new IronTesseract();
var result = ocr.Read("scanned-document.pdf");
string recognizedText = result.Text;

using IronOcr;

var ocr = new IronTesseract();
var result = ocr.Read("scanned-document.pdf");
string recognizedText = result.Text;

Summary

You can generate PDF documents, manipulate and format them with just a few lines of code. IronPDF handles the complexity for you. There is a free version for development and a free trial before purchase. While other PDF libraries exist, many are either slow in performance or require complex low-level coding.

The IronPDF .NET library is now available with Iron Suite for .NET. Iron Suite contains five powerful libraries: IronPDF, IronXL, IronOCR, IronBarcode, and IronQR. These libraries work seamlessly together for comprehensive document processing. If you purchase the complete Iron Suite, you get all five products for the price of just two.

IronPDF is fully compatible with .NET 10 and C# 14 (released November 2025), along with .NET 9, .NET 8, .NET 6, and all modern .NET platforms.

You can download a project file from this IronPDF C# PDF Generation Tutorial Project.