wkhtmltopdf – What Is It?

wkhtmltopdf — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 06:27:16 +0000

wkhtmltopdf is an open-source (LGPLv3) HTML to PDF converter that allows developers to generate PDF or image files directly from HTML pages. It uses the powerful Qt WebKit rendering engine to produce high-quality, pixel-perfect results. Alongside it, wkhtmltoimage lets you export web pages as images for easy sharing or archiving.

Both tools run completely headless — meaning they require no graphical interface or browser window — making wkhtmltopdf perfect for server-side automation, scripting, and batch PDF generation. A C library version is also available for developers who prefer direct integration into their applications.

How to Use wkhtmltopdf

Download a precompiled binary or build it from source.
Create an HTML file containing the web content you want to export as a PDF or image.
Run the conversion command: For example, if you like how Google designed their homepage today and want to save it as a PDF: wkhtmltopdf http://google.com google.pdf Within seconds, wkhtmltopdf converts the HTML file into a high-quality, print-ready PDF document — fully preserving styles, fonts, and layout.

Advanced wkhtmltopdf Options

Need more control over your output? wkhtmltopdf includes hundreds of command-line options to fine-tune your results — such as adding a table of contents (TOC), setting headers and footers, or customizing margins and page sizes.

Explore the full list in the auto-generated wkhtmltopdf manual to learn how to achieve professional-quality PDF generation from any HTML source.

Integrate wkhtmltopdf into Your Application

Prefer working directly with a C library instead of the command line? No problem — the wkhtmltopdf C library provides all the same functionality with flexible integration for developers.

Check out the library documentation for setup instructions, API details, and advanced configuration examples.

Real-World Use Cases for wkhtmltopdf

wkhtmltopdf isn’t just for saving websites as PDFs — it’s a versatile tool used across industries. Developers and designers use it to generate invoices, reports, forms, certificates, eBooks, and marketing materials directly from HTML templates.

Whether you’re automating PDF generation on a web server or exporting printable documents from your app, wkhtmltopdf offers a simple, reliable, and open-source solution for converting HTML to PDF and images.

How to Install WKHTMLtoPDF on Ubuntu (Step-by-Step Guide)

wkhtmltopdf — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 07:53:30 +0000

If you're looking to convert HTML to PDF on a Linux server, WKHTMLtoPDF is one of the most reliable open-source tools available. It allows developers to generate high-quality PDFs from HTML using the WebKit rendering engine.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to install WKHTMLtoPDF on Ubuntu, configure it properly, and fix common installation issues.

What is WKHTMLtoPDF?

WKHTMLtoPDF is a command-line tool that converts HTML pages into PDF documents. It’s widely used in:

Laravel applications

PHP projects

Node.js backends

Server-side PDF generation

Automated reporting systems

You can download the official build from the WKHTMLtoPDF website:
https://wkhtmltopdf.com

Why Use WKHTMLtoPDF on Ubuntu?

Ubuntu servers are commonly used for web hosting and backend applications. Installing WKHTMLtoPDF on Ubuntu allows you to:

Generate invoices automatically

Create reports in PDF format

Convert dynamic web pages to downloadable PDFs

Automate document workflows

Step 1: Update Your Ubuntu System

Before installing any package, update your system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This ensures all dependencies are up to date.

Step 2: Install Required Dependencies

WKHTMLtoPDF requires some libraries to function properly.

Run:

sudo apt install -y fontconfig libxrender1 libxext6 xfonts-base xfonts-75dpi

These libraries ensure proper font rendering and display support.

Step 3: Download WKHTMLtoPDF for Ubuntu

It’s recommended to install the official .deb package instead of using the default Ubuntu repository (as it may be outdated).

Download the latest version:

wget https://github.com/wkhtmltopdf/packaging/releases/download/0.12.6-1/wkhtmltox_0.12.6-1.focal_amd64.deb
Step 4: Install the Package

Now install the downloaded file:

sudo dpkg -i wkhtmltox_0.12.6-1.focal_amd64.deb

If you see dependency errors, fix them using:

sudo apt --fix-broken install
Step 5: Verify Installation

Check if WKHTMLtoPDF is installed correctly:

wkhtmltopdf --version

If everything is correct, you’ll see the installed version number.

Step 6: Test HTML to PDF Conversion

Create a simple test file:

wkhtmltopdf https://example.com output.pdf

This will convert the webpage into a PDF file named output.pdf.

If the PDF generates successfully — installation is complete ✅

How to Install WKHTMLtoPDF on Ubuntu 22.04 (Special Note)

If you're using Ubuntu 22.04, ensure:

You install the correct .deb file version

Required dependencies are present

You avoid snap-based installations

Using the official release package is more stable for production environments.

Common Installation Errors & Fixes
Error 1: wkhtmltopdf command not found

Fix:
Make sure it’s installed in /usr/local/bin or /usr/bin.

Run:

which wkhtmltopdf

If not found, reinstall the package.

Error 2: Missing Shared Libraries

Fix:

sudo apt install -f

This installs missing dependencies automatically.

Error 3: Fonts Not Rendering Properly

Install additional fonts:

sudo apt install ttf-mscorefonts-installer
Using WKHTMLtoPDF with Laravel (Optional)

If you're using Laravel, you can integrate WKHTMLtoPDF with packages like:

barryvdh/laravel-snappy

It allows easy PDF generation directly from Blade templates.

Best Practices for Production Servers

✔ Always use the official stable release
✔ Avoid outdated Ubuntu repository versions
✔ Test on staging before deploying to live server
✔ Monitor memory usage during large PDF generation

Final Thoughts

Installing WKHTMLtoPDF on Ubuntu is straightforward if you follow the correct steps and install the proper dependencies.

Whether you’re building automated reports, invoices, or dynamic PDF systems — WKHTMLtoPDF remains a reliable solution for server-side HTML to PDF conversion.