How to Print a PDF on Windows, Mac, or Chromebook

The basic steps to print any PDF

To print a PDF, open the file on your computer, click the print button or press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Command+P (Mac), choose your printer from the list, and click Print. The PDF will send to your printer the same way any other document would. Most PDFs print without any special setup — your computer handles the formatting automatically.

The exact location of the print button depends on which program you are using to view the PDF. In most cases, you will find it in the top menu bar or in a toolbar near the top of the window. If you cannot spot it, the keyboard shortcut works in nearly every program.

Key Takeaways

Open your PDF in any viewer (Adobe Reader, your web browser, or your operating system's built-in viewer), then use Ctrl+P or Command+P to open the print dialog.
Select your printer from the dropdown menu — if your printer is not listed, check that it is turned on and connected to your computer or network.
Choose how many copies you want and which pages to print before clicking the Print button.
If your PDF has images or color, preview the output first to make sure it looks right before printing.

Printing from Adobe Reader

Adobe Reader is the most common PDF viewer and works on Windows, Mac, and Chromebook. Open your PDF file in Adobe Reader, then look for the printer icon in the toolbar at the top of the window, or press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Command+P (Mac). A print dialog will appear showing all available printers.

Select the printer you want to use from the dropdown menu labeled "Printer" or "Name". If you do not see your printer listed, make sure it is powered on and connected to your computer. For wireless printers, check that your computer is on the same network. Once your printer appears in the list, select it and click Print.

Printing from your web browser

If you opened a PDF in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge, you can print directly from the browser without downloading Adobe Reader. Press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Command+P (Mac), or click the three-dot menu in the top right corner and select Print. The browser's print dialog will open.

Choose your printer from the dropdown at the top left of the dialog. You can also set the number of copies, choose which pages to print, and adjust the paper size before clicking Print. Most browsers show a preview of what the PDF will look like on paper — check this preview if the PDF contains images or color to make sure everything looks correct.

Printing from Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder

You can print a PDF without opening it first. On Windows, right-click the PDF file in File Explorer, hover over "Open with", and select your PDF viewer. Once it opens, use Ctrl+P to print. On Mac, right-click the PDF in Finder, select "Open With", choose your PDF viewer, and then press Command+P.

Alternatively, on Windows you can right-click the PDF file and select "Print" directly from the context menu if your system is set up to do so. This skips the step of opening the file and goes straight to the printer dialog. The result is the same either way.

Choosing the right printer and settings

When the print dialog opens, the first thing to check is that the correct printer is selected. If you have multiple printers connected to your computer — such as a home printer and a work printer — make sure you are sending the document to the one you actually want to use. The printer name appears in a dropdown menu near the top of the dialog.

Below the printer selection, you will see options for the number of copies, which pages to print, and paper size. If you only need pages 5 through 10, you can specify that instead of printing the entire document. For PDFs with color images, check whether your printer is set to color or black-and-white — this setting is usually under "More Settings" or "Advanced" in the print dialog.

Troubleshooting when your printer does not appear

If your printer is not showing up in the printer list, first make sure it is turned on and connected to your computer. For USB printers, check that the cable is plugged in on both ends. For wireless printers, verify that your computer and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network — check your printer's display panel or settings to confirm the network name.

If the printer is on and connected but still does not appear, restart your computer. This often refreshes the connection and makes the printer visible again. On Windows, you can also go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners and click "Add a printer" to manually search for it. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners and click the plus button to add a printer manually.

Printing PDFs on a Chromebook

Chromebooks handle PDF printing through Google Chrome, which is built into the system. Open the PDF in Chrome, press Ctrl+P, and the print dialog will appear. Select your printer from the dropdown — Chromebooks can print to any printer on your network, or you can save the PDF as a file instead by selecting "Save as PDF".

If you want to print to a physical printer from a Chromebook, that printer must be set up in Google Cloud Print or be connected to your Chromebook through your Google account. Many modern printers support this automatically. If your printer is not listed, check the printer manufacturer's website for instructions on connecting it to Google Cloud Print or your Google account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my PDF look different when I print it compared to what I see on screen?

PDFs sometimes display differently on screen than they do on paper because of screen resolution and color settings. Before printing, use the print preview feature in your print dialog to see how the document will actually look on paper. If colors or images look wrong in the preview, you can adjust the color settings in the print dialog before sending it to the printer.

Can I print only certain pages from a PDF instead of the whole document?

Yes. In the print dialog, look for a field that says "Pages" or "Print Range". You can type the page numbers you want — for example, "1, 3, 5" to print only those pages, or "5-10" to print pages 5 through 10. This saves paper and ink if you only need part of the document.

What should I do if the PDF prints but the text is too small to read?

Check the print dialog for a "Scale" or "Zoom" option and increase the percentage — try 125% or 150%. Some print dialogs also have a "Fit to Page" option that automatically resizes the document to fit your paper size. If the PDF itself has very small text, you may need to increase the zoom before printing.

Can I print a PDF to a printer that is not connected to my computer?

If the printer is on a shared network at your workplace or home, your computer can print to it as long as you are on the same network. If the printer is at a different location entirely, you would need to either transfer the PDF to a computer connected to that printer, or use a cloud printing service if your printer supports it.

Why does my printer keep going offline when I try to print?

This usually means the connection between your computer and printer has been interrupted. Restart both your printer and your computer, then try printing again. For wireless printers, move closer to your router to improve the signal. If the problem continues, check your printer's manual for instructions on reconnecting it to your network.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.