PDFPipe is an HTML-to-PDF API. You send a POST request to https://api.pdfpipe.xyz/v1/pdf with a JSON body containing an HTML string or a URL, and receive an application/pdf file in the response. It handles browser rendering in a managed cloud environment, so you do not need to install or maintain any PDF software on your servers.

How do I use the PDFPipe API?

1. Sign up at pdfpipe.xyz to get an API key (format: pp_live_…). 2. POST to https://api.pdfpipe.xyz/v1/pdf with Authorization: Bearer pp_live_your_key and Content-Type: application/json. 3. Set the request body to {"html": " Hello "} or {"url": "https://example.com"} plus an optional "options" object for format, margins, etc. 4. The response body is the raw PDF file. Full reference at https://pdfpipe.xyz/docs.

What programming languages does PDFPipe support?

PDFPipe works with any language that can make an HTTP request. Official SDKs are available for Node.js (npm install pdfpipe-node) and Python (pip install pdfpipe-python). The API also works directly in Go, Java, PHP, Ruby, Rust, C#, Kotlin, Elixir, and others via standard HTTP clients. Framework-specific guides are available at https://pdfpipe.xyz/guides.

What PDF options are available?

Pass an "options" object in the request body. Key options: format (A4, A3, A5, Letter, Legal, Tabloid — default A4), landscape (true/false), margin (CSS length or object with top/bottom/left/right), print_background (true/false), scale (0.1 to 2.0), page_ranges (e.g. "1-3, 5"), header_html, footer_html, inject_css, wait_until (load, domcontentloaded, networkidle0, networkidle2), wait_ms, timeout_ms (1000 to 60000, default 30000), pdf_a (true/false for PDF/A-1b). Full reference at https://pdfpipe.xyz/docs#options.

How much does PDFPipe cost?

Hobby: free, 500 documents per month, no credit card required. Starter: $19/month, 3,000 documents. Growth: $49/month, 15,000 documents. Scale: $149/month, 50,000 documents. Enterprise: custom volume and SLA. Flat pricing: one document counts as one document with no credit conversion.

What is the PDFPipe API endpoint?

The main render endpoint is POST https://api.pdfpipe.xyz/v1/pdf. Additional endpoints: POST /v1/pdf/batch (batch rendering up to 100 items), POST /v1/pdf/merge (merge PDFs), GET /v1/me (check key and usage), GET /v1/documents (list stored PDFs), POST /v1/demo (playground, no key required). Full endpoint list at https://pdfpipe.xyz/docs#endpoints.

Can I not just run Puppeteer or wkhtmltopdf myself?

You can, but running a browser in production means managing memory limits, system font availability, concurrency queues, version pinning, and on-call incidents when it crashes. PDFPipe handles the rendering infrastructure so your team ships product code instead. The API also includes SSRF protection so untrusted HTML cannot reach internal services.

Does PDFPipe support AI agents via MCP?

Yes. Install pdfpipe-mcp-server (npm install pdfpipe-mcp-server), set PDFPIPE_API_KEY, and point any MCP-compatible agent at it. The pdfpipe_generate_pdf tool becomes available for the agent to generate PDFs in a single tool call. Details at https://pdfpipe.xyz/mcp.

Do I need to install any software to generate PDFs?

No. PDFPipe handles browser rendering in a managed cloud environment. You send HTML or a URL, get a PDF back. No SDK, no browser to run, no template editor to learn.

Can I use my own HTML template?

Yes. Send any HTML: a Handlebars or Jinja2 template you already write for email, a React component rendered to a string, or a static file. The renderer runs a full browser so CSS Grid, Flexbox, custom fonts, and gradients all work exactly as in the browser preview.

What happens if the render fails?

If the render times out or fails, the document is not counted against your quota. You can retry safely.

Can I get a download link instead of raw PDF bytes?

Yes. Add store: true to the request body to receive a stable download URL instead of bytes. You can include the link in an email notification. Documents are retained based on your plan: 1 day on the free tier, 30 days on Starter, and 1 year on Growth and above.

Does the API handle long tables and page breaks correctly?

Yes. Rendering runs under print emulation, so break-inside: avoid and @page rules are honored. Long item tables do not split mid-row.

How many documents can I generate per month for free?

The Hobby plan is free and includes 500 documents per month. No credit card is required. Paid plans start at $19 per month for 3,000 documents.

PDFPipe

Use cases

Common patterns for generating PDFs via HTML templates and one API call.

Invoice PDF API

Generate print-quality invoices from an HTML template with one POST. Node.js, Python, Go, any HTTP client.

billingSaaSNode.jsPython

Report PDF API

Monthly analytics reports, financial statements, and data summaries. Batch-generate for all accounts on a cron schedule.

analyticsscheduledbatch

Certificate PDF API

Course completion certificates, professional credentials, and award certificates. Custom design, custom fonts, no dependencies.

e-learningLMScertificates

URL to PDF API

Convert any public URL to a PDF. Waits for JavaScript-rendered content, supports async selectors, optional SSRF protection built in.

scrapingarchivalscreenshots

Contract PDF API

Generate NDAs, service agreements, and legal documents from HTML templates. Full CSS support, serif fonts, signature blocks, precise margins.

legalcontractsNDAs

Bulk PDF API

Generate invoices, reports, or certificates for all your accounts in a single batch call. Up to 500 documents per batch on the Business plan.

batchhigh-volumecron

Webhook PDF API

Trigger PDF generation from Stripe webhooks, Zapier, n8n, or any HTTP event. One POST, a stored document URL back.

webhooksautomationStripe

SaaS Invoice PDF

Generate branded invoices and receipts for every customer automatically when a payment clears. Stripe, Paddle, or any billing provider.

billingStripePaddleSaaS

E-commerce Order PDF

Order confirmations, receipts, and packing slips generated automatically on every purchase. Works with Shopify, WooCommerce, or any platform.

ShopifyWooCommerceorderse-commerce

Real Estate PDF API

Property listing flyers, lease agreements, and inspection reports from HTML templates. Triggered by your CRM or MLS feed.

proptechlistingsleasesreal estate

HR Documents PDF API

Offer letters, employment agreements, and NDAs generated automatically from your ATS or HRIS. Permanent download link for the candidate.

HR techoffer lettersonboardingNDAs

Legal Documents PDF API

NDAs, engagement letters, demand letters, and pleadings from HTML templates. Precise margins, serif fonts, page numbers via CSS.

legal techcontractsCLMlaw firms

Financial Reports PDF API

Account statements, P&L reports, and investor summaries generated on schedule or on demand. Batch-generate for all accounts end-of-quarter.

fintechaccountingstatementsbatch

Education PDF API

Course completion certificates, academic transcripts, and enrollment letters triggered by your LMS or student records system. Batch-generate end-of-term.

EdTechLMScertificatestranscripts

Healthcare PDF API

Lab reports, discharge summaries, and referral letters generated from your EHR or patient portal. No HTML content stored by default.

health techEHRlab reportsclinical

Insurance PDF API

Certificates of insurance, policy documents, and explanation of benefits generated on issuance or claim events. Batch-generate for claims runs.

insurtechCOIpolicyclaims

Government Forms PDF API

Building permits, business licenses, and inspection certificates from HTML templates. Programmatic generation for GovTech and civic platforms.

GovTechpermitslicensescivic

Shipping Labels PDF API

4x6 thermal shipping labels, packing slips, and customs declarations at scale. Triggered from your WMS or order fulfillment platform.

logisticsshippingWMSe-commerce

Rental Agreements PDF API

Residential leases, renewal notices, and move-in checklists from HTML templates. Triggered on application approval, stored for tenant portal access.

proptechleasesproperty managementreal estate

Procurement PDF API

Purchase orders, RFP documents, and vendor quotes from HTML templates. Triggered on approval, attached to audit trails and vendor email notifications.

procurementERPB2B SaaSfinance

White-label PDF Reports

Add branded PDF report downloads to your B2B SaaS. Each customer gets reports with their own logo, colors, and company name. One API call per report.

SaaSwhite-labelanalyticsbranded reports

Audit Reports PDF API

Generate internal audit reports, SOC 2 documentation, and compliance reports from HTML templates. Scheduled generation, batch export, and permanent document URLs.

complianceGRCSOC 2security

Media Kit PDF API

Generate and auto-update media kit PDFs for creators, brands, and publications. Dynamic stats, brand palette, inline charts, and a permanent shareable download link.

creator economymediamarketingSaaS

Receipt PDF API

Generate purchase receipts and order confirmations automatically on every transaction. One PDF per order, stored and linked for customer download.

e-commercebillingSaaSreceipts

Payslip PDF API

Generate payslips and salary slips for every employee each pay cycle. Batch-generate for the entire headcount from your HRIS or payroll system.

HR techpayrollHRISbatch

Account Statement PDF API

Monthly billing statements, account summaries, and transaction histories generated on schedule. Password-protect sensitive statements. Store and email a download link.

fintechbillingstatementsscheduled

Ticket PDF API

Event tickets, boarding passes, and QR passes generated on booking confirmation. Embed QR codes via data URI. Batch-generate for group bookings.

eventstravelticketsQR

Don't see your use case?

If you can render it in a browser, you can generate it as a PDF. Try the playground or read the API reference.

Try the playground API reference