Need to save important emails for record-keeping, legal purposes, or simply to organize your digital life? Converting emails to PDF format is the perfect solution, and you don't need to spend a dime to do it. In this guide, I'll walk you through the best free email to PDF converters available today, helping you choose the right tool for your specific needs.

Whether you're managing business communications, preserving personal messages, or creating documentation, these free tools will help you transform emails into portable, universally readable PDF files with just a few clicks.

Why convert emails to PDF?

Before diving into the tools, let's quickly understand why converting emails to PDF makes sense:

• Preservation: maintain formatting PDFs, images, and attachments
• Portability: PDFs can be viewed on virtually any device
• Legal documentation: PDFs serve as reliable evidence in legal matters
• Offline access: Access emails without internet connection
• Organization: Easier to categorize and store important communications
• Sharing: Simple to share complete email threads with others

Top 7 Free Email to PDF Converters

I've tested dozens of options to bring you this list of the best free tools that actually work without hidden costs or frustrating limitations.

1. Print to PDF (Built-in OS Feature)

The simplest solution is often already on your computer! Both Windows and Mac have built-in PDF printing capabilities that work perfectly for converting emails.

How to Use Print to PDF on Windows:

1. Open the email you want to convert
2. Click the Print option (or press Ctrl+P)
3. Select "Microsoft Print to PDF" from the printer options
4. Choose your desired settings
5. Click Print and select where to save the PDF file

How to Use Print to PDF on Mac:

1. Open the email you wish to convert
2. Click File > Print (or press Command+P)
3. Click the PDF dropdown in the bottom-left corner
4. Select "Save as PDF"
5. Choose your save location and file name
6. Click Save

This method works with any email client including Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and others when accessed through a web browser or desktop application.

Pros:

• No additional software needed
• Works with any email service
• Preserves basic formatting
• No internet connection required once email is open

Cons:

• Limited customization options
• May not handle complex email formatting perfectly
• Doesn't batch convert multiple emails

2. Gmail's Built-in Save as PDF

If you're a Gmail user, you already have access to a simple way to convert emails to PDF without any third-party tools.

Steps to Convert Gmail Emails to PDF:

1. Open the email you want to convert in Gmail
2. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner
3. Select "Print"
4. In the print dialog, change the destination to "Save as PDF"
5. Click "Save" and choose where to store your PDF

Pros:

• Native Gmail integration
• Preserves email formatting well
• Quick and easy process

Cons:

• Only works with Gmail
• No batch conversion
• Limited customization options

3. Thunderbird with Save Email Add-on

Mozilla Thunderbird is a free email client that becomes a powerful email-to-PDF converter when paired with the ImportExportTools NG add-on.

How to Set Up and Use:

1. Download and install Mozilla Thunderbird if you don't already have it
2. Set up your email account in Thunderbird
3. Install the ImportExportTools NG add-on from Thunderbird's Add-ons Manager
4. Right-click on any email or folder containing multiple emails
5. Select "ImportExportTools NG" > "Export Messages" > "PDF format"
6. Choose your export options and save location

Pros:

• Batch conversion of multiple emails
• Works offline once emails are downloaded
• Excellent formatting preservation
• Can convert entire folders at once

Cons:

• Requires setting up Thunderbird as your email client
• Initial setup takes time
• Learning curve for new Thunderbird users

4. Mail to PDF Chrome Extension

For Chrome users who want a simple browser-based solution, the Mail to PDF extension offers an easy way to convert emails from various webmail services.

Setup and Usage:

1. Install the Mail to PDF extension from Chrome Web Store
2. Open the email you want to convert in your webmail (Gmail, Outlook.com, etc.)
3. Click the extension icon in your browser toolbar
4. Adjust any settings if needed
5. Click "Convert to PDF"

Pros:

• Works with multiple webmail services
• Simple one-click conversion
• No need to switch applications

Cons:

• Only works in Chrome browser
• Requires internet connection
• May have limitations with certain email providers

5. PDFelement Free Online

PDFelement offers a free online tool that can convert emails to PDF without requiring installation.

How to Use:

1. Copy the content of your email (Ctrl+A then Ctrl+C in most email clients)
2. Visit the PDFelement Free Online website
3. Create a new document or use their HTML to PDF converter
4. Paste your email content (Ctrl+V)
5. Click "Convert" or "Download" to save as PDF

Pros:

• No installation required
• Works across all platforms
• Simple interface

Cons:

• Manual copy-paste process
• May lose some formatting
• Not ideal for batch conversions
• Requires internet connection

6. Outlook's Export to PDF

Microsoft Outlook includes a built-in feature to save emails as PDF files, making it a great choice for Windows users who already use this email client.

Steps for Outlook:

1. Open the email you want to convert in Outlook
2. Click File > Print (or press Ctrl+P)
3. Select "Microsoft Print to PDF" as your printer
4. Adjust any print settings as needed
5. Click Print and choose where to save your PDF

Pros:

• Native Outlook integration
• Preserves email formatting well
• No additional software needed

Cons:

• Only available for Outlook users
• No batch conversion in the free version
• Limited customization options

7. Mailstore Home

Mailstore Home is a free email archiving solution that includes PDF export capabilities, making it ideal for users who need to archive and convert many emails.

How to Use Mailstore Home:

1. Download and install Mailstore Home
2. Set up your email account(s) in the application
3. Let it archive your emails (this may take some time)
4. Browse or search for the emails you want to convert
5. Select the email(s) and right-click
6. Choose "Export" > "PDF"
7. Select your save location

Pros:

• Batch conversion of multiple emails
• Works with most email services
• Excellent for archiving and organization
• Good formatting preservation

Cons:

• More complex initial setup
• Primarily designed for archiving, not just conversion
• Requires downloading all emails first

Comparison of Free Email to PDF Converters

Converter	Batch Conversion	Offline Use	Installation Required	Compatible Email Services	Ease of Use (1-5)
Print to PDF (OS)	No	Yes	No	All	5
Gmail Built-in	No	No	No	Gmail only	5
Thunderbird + Add-on	Yes	Yes	Yes	Most major providers	3
Mail to PDF Extension	No	No	Yes (browser)	Webmail services	4
PDFelement Free	No	No	No	All (manual)	3
Outlook Export	No	Yes	Yes	Outlook accounts	4
Mailstore Home	Yes	Yes	Yes	Most major providers	2

Step-by-Step Guide: Converting Emails to PDF by Email Client

Let's look at detailed instructions for the most popular email services:

Gmail to PDF Conversion

Method 1: Using Gmail's Print Function

1. Open Gmail in your web browser
2. Open the email you want to convert
3. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner
4. Select "Print"
5. In the print dialog, change the destination to "Save as PDF"
6. Click "Save"
7. Choose your save location and file name
8. Click "Save" again

Method 2: Using Chrome Extension

1. Install Mail to PDF extension from Chrome Web Store
2. Open the email in Gmail
3. Click the extension icon
4. Select your preferences
5. Click "Convert"

Outlook to PDF Conversion

Method 1: Using Outlook Desktop App

1. Open the email in Outlook
2. Go to File > Print
3. Select "Microsoft Print to PDF" as the printer
4. Click "Print"
5. Choose where to save the file
6. Click "Save"

Method 2: Using Outlook.com (Web)

1. Open the email in Outlook.com
2. Click the three-dot menu
3. Select "Print"
4. Change the printer to "Save as PDF" or "Microsoft Print to PDF"
5. Click "Print"
6. Select your save location

Yahoo Mail to PDF Conversion

Method 1: Using Browser Print Function

1. Open the email in Yahoo Mail
2. Click the three-dot menu
3. Select "Print"
4. Change the destination to "Save as PDF"
5. Click "Save"
6. Choose your save location

Method 2: Using Thunderbird

1. Set up Yahoo Mail in Thunderbird
2. Install the ImportExportTools NG add-on
3. Right-click the email
4. Select "ImportExportTools NG" > "Export Message" > "PDF format"
5. Choose your save location

Apple Mail to PDF Conversion

Using Mac's Built-in PDF Creation

1. Open the email in Apple Mail
2. Go to File > Print
3. Click the "PDF" dropdown in the bottom-left corner
4. Select "Save as PDF"
5. Choose your save location and file name
6. Click "Save"

Tips for Better Email to PDF Conversions

Follow these tips to get the best results when converting your emails to PDF:

Formatting Considerations

• Expand all email threads before converting if you want to include the entire conversation
• Make sure all images are fully loaded before conversion
• Consider adjusting print margins if content appears cut off
• Check if your converter includes attachments or if you need to save them separately

Organization Tips

• Create a consistent file naming system (eg, "YYYY-MM-DD_Sender_Subject")
• Use folder structures to organize your PDF emails by project, sender, or date
• Consider batch converting related emails to keep them together
• Add tags or metadata to your PDFs for easier searching later

Security Considerations

• Remember that converted PDFs typically don't retain email encryption
• Be cautious about using online conversion tools with sensitive emails
• Consider password-protecting important PDF emails after conversion
• Verify the PDF captures all necessary header information if needed for legal purposes

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best tools, you might encounter some problems. Here's how to fix the most common issues:

Missing Images or Attachments

If your PDF is missing images or attachments:

• Make sure all images are fully loaded in the email before converting
• Check if your chosen tool supports attachment inclusion
• Try saving attachments separately if they're not included
• Consider using a different conversion method that preserves attachments

Formatting Problems

If your PDF has formatting issues:

• Try adjusting page orientation (landscape vs. portrait)
• Change margin settings before printing to PDF
• Use "Fit to page" options if available
• Consider using a different converter that better preserves formatting

Large File Sizes

If your PDF files are too large:

• Try print settings that optimize for smaller file size
• Use a PDF compressor tool after conversion
• Convert without high-resolution images if possible
• Check for PDF optimization options in your converter

Advanced Email to PDF Conversion Techniques

For users who need more control over their conversions:

Command Line Conversion

If you're comfortable with command line tools, you can automate email to PDF conversion using tools like:

• wkhtmltopdf - A command line tool that can convert HTML to PDF
• Pandoc - A universal document converter that can handle email formats
• Python scripts using libraries like fpdf or pdfkit

Batch Processing Multiple Emails

For converting many emails at once:

• Thunderbird with ImportExportTools NG is excellent for batch processing
• Mailstore Home can archive and convert multiple emails
• Custom scripts can be created to automate conversion of multiple emails

Creating Interactive PDFs from Emails

To create more advanced PDFs:

• Export to HTML first, then customize before converting to PDF
• Use PDF editing tools to add interactive elements after conversion
• Consider using programming libraries that allow creation of interactive PDFs

Email to PDF Conversion for Business Use

Businesses have specific needs when it comes to email conversion:

Compliance and Record-Keeping

• Ensure your conversion method preserves email headers for legal validation
• Consider tools that include digital signatures or timestamps
• Implement consistent naming and storage policies for converted emails
• Verify that your conversion method meets any industry-specific compliance requirements

Team Collaboration

• Set up shared repositories for important email PDFs
• Establish naming conventions that everyone follows
• Consider tools that allow batch processing for administrative assistants
• Implement version control if emails are updated or annotated

Integration with Document Management Systems

• Look for converters that can directly save to cloud storage
• Consider tools that add appropriate metadata for better searchability
• Explore automation options that move converted PDFs to your document management system
• Test compatibility between your email system and document management platform

Quick Tip to ensure your videos never go missing

Videos are precious memories and all of us never want to lose them to hard disk crashes or missing drives. PicBackMan is the easiest and simplest way to keep your videos safely backed up in one or more online accounts. 

Simply download PicBackMan (it's free!) , register your account, connect to your online store and tell PicBackMan where your videos are - PicBackMan does the rest, automatically. It bulk uploads all videos and keeps looking for new ones and uploads those too. You don't have to ever touch it.

Conclusion

Converting emails to PDF doesn't have to cost you anything, thanks to the variety of free tools available. From simple built-in options like Print to PDF to more advanced solutions like Thunderbird with add-ons, there's a free option for every need.

For most users, I recommend starting with the built-in options in your operating system or email client. They're simple to use and require no additional software. If you need more features like batch conversion or better formatting preservation, consider dedicated tools like Thunderbird with ImportExportTools NG or Mailstore Home.

Remember that the best tool depends on your specific needs – whether you're converting emails occasionally for personal reference or regularly for business documentation. Experiment with a few options to find the one that works best for your workflow.

By following the steps and tips in this guide, you'll be able to easily preserve your important emails in PDF format, making them accessible, portable, and permanently archived for whenever you need them.

FAQs About Email to PDF Conversion

Can I convert multiple emails to PDF at once?

Yes, tools like Thunderbird with the ImportExportTools NG add-on and Mailstore Home allow batch conversion of multiple emails to PDF. These tools let you select several emails or entire folders and convert them all with a single operation, saving significant time compared to converting emails one by one.

Will email attachments be included in the PDF conversion?

It depends on the conversion method. Most built-in print-to-PDF functions won't include attachments in the PDF file. However, specialized tools like Thunderbird with add-ons can include attachments either embedded in the PDF or as separate files. If attachments are crucial, look for a converter that specifically mentions attachment preservation.

How can I ensure my email PDFs are searchable?

Most modern PDF conversion methods create searchable PDFs by default, meaning the text in the email can be searched within the PDF. To verify this, try selecting text in the resulting PDF - if you can select and copy text, the PDF is searchable. If your PDFs aren't searchable, you might need to use OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software to make them searchable after conversion.

Do email to PDF converters work with encrypted emails?

Converting encrypted emails to PDF typically requires you to decrypt them first. Most converters will only work with emails you can already read in your email client. Also, be aware that once converted to PDF, the email loses its original encryption protection, so you may want to add password protection to sensitive PDF files after conversion.

Can I edit the PDF after converting an email?

Yes, but you'll need a PDF editor. Free PDF editors like Adobe Acrobat Reader allow limited editing (annotations, highlighting), while paid options like Adobe Acrobat Pro, Foxit PhantomPDF, or PDFelement provide full editing capabilities. For basic text edits, you might need to convert the