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How to Save Gmail Emails as PDF (With Attachments)

The standard "Print to PDF" in Gmail cuts off text and completely ignores your attachments. Below is the free built-in method step by step, where it falls short, and the professional way to export emails cleanly, directly from your inbox.

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M2pdf Save as PDF button integrated into the Gmail toolbar
Integrated directly into Gmail
100% Local processing
Embeds image & PDF attachments

How to Save a Gmail as PDF Manually (Free, Built-In Method)

Gmail has a built-in way to save a single email as a PDF using your browser's print dialog. It's free and takes a few clicks. Here's exactly how to do it:

1.

Open the email. In Gmail, open the message (or conversation) you want to save.

2.

Open the print view. Click the three-dot "More" menu at the top-right of the email and choose Print (or press Ctrl + P / Cmd + P).

3.

Choose "Save as PDF". In the print dialog, set the Destination (or Printer) to Save as PDF.

4.

Save the file. Click Save, pick a folder, and your email is exported as a PDF.

The catch: this method works for one email at a time, and it does not include your attachments. They're simply left out of the PDF. It also carries over sidebar and header clutter, and can cut off long threads.

Why the Built-In Method Isn't Enough

If you've ever relied on Ctrl+P or Gmail's "Print all" icon for anything important, you already know the frustration. It creates messy documents, includes unnecessary sidebar menus, can't batch multiple emails at once, and worst of all, it completely leaves behind your attachments.

The M2pdf Solution

M2pdf is built directly into the native Gmail UI. You don't need to forward your sensitive emails to a third-party service. By running locally in your browser, it captures the exact formatting of the email thread and merges image and PDF attachments directly into the exported file, so every email and its attachments live together as one self-contained PDF. Prefer them kept apart? You can also save attachments separately in an organized folder.

Key Advantages

  • Zero-Knowledge Privacy: Processing happens locally.
  • Native UI: Operates right inside Gmail.
  • Embed Image & PDF Attachments: Merge them into the PDF, or save separately.
  • Gmail Search: Export emails using Gmail search and filters.
  • Clean Layouts: Removes unwanted headers and links.

How to Save a Gmail to PDF in 3 Steps (With Attachments)

Save Gmail to PDF with Attachments by M2pdf extension to Chrome gives 20 free conversions.

1

Select Your Emails

Open a single email, or tick the checkboxes to select as many as you like. Use Gmail's own search and filters to pull exactly the emails you need.

2

Click "Save as PDF" in Gmail

Hit the M2pdf button built right into your Gmail toolbar, then choose your options: one combined PDF or a separate file per email, with image and PDF attachments embedded into the PDF or saved separately.

3

Download Instantly

M2pdf converts everything locally in your browser, so nothing leaves your machine, and your clean PDFs download automatically, attachments included.

See the full process in action, from selecting emails to a finished PDF.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about saving your emails locally

Yes. M2pdf creates a clean document that looks exactly like your original email body. It automatically removes the messy sidebars and navigation menus that normal printing leaves behind.

Absolutely. We use a zero knowledge architecture. All processing happens locally on your own computer. We never store, read, or transmit your private emails to any external servers.

Yes. The extension automatically detects and downloads all original email attachments at the same time it generates your PDF file. Images and PDF attachments can be embedded into the PDF file.

The exported file is a standard PDF document. You can open it in any PDF reader, or use our free online PDF editor to add signatures, highlight text, or make changes later.

Ready to export your emails cleanly?

Skip the manual steps and start converting Gmail to PDF with attachments included. Start with 20 free conversions today.

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Looking to backup your emails? See our Gmail backup guide.