M
API Matrix

Screenshotlayer API

⭐ Beginner's Pick Photography / No Auth Required Beginner HTTPS
Free to Use Varies (check documentation)
82 Score
Grade A
Visit Official Site Compare Alternatives

Overview

Screenshotlayer is a simple API that converts any URL into a screenshot image with a single HTTP request. You pass the target URL and your access key, and get back a PNG or JPEG of the rendered page. It is perfect for generating website thumbnails or saving visual records of web pages.

💡

Beginner Tip

Start with the free plan to generate up to 100 screenshots per month. Add viewport=1280x800 to the query string to capture a standard desktop-sized screenshot.

Available Data

image URLs in multiple sizes
photographer credit
image dimensions
download link
color data
Use case: Integrate url to screenshot data into web and mobile applications

Example Response

JSON Response 
{
  "id": "Dwu85P9SOIk",
  "urls": {
    "full": "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-...",
    "regular": "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-...?w=1080",
    "thumb": "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-...?w=200"
  },
  "width": 4000,
  "height": 3000,
  "user": {
    "name": "John Doe",
    "username": "johndoe"
  }
}

Field Reference

success true when the screenshot was captured without errors.
info.url The URL that was actually captured after any redirects.
screenshot_url Direct URL to the captured screenshot image hosted on Screenshotlayer CDN.
info.width Width of the captured screenshot in pixels.
info.height Height of the captured screenshot in pixels.

Implementation Example 

const url = "https://screenshotlayer.com/";
const response = await fetch(url);
if (!response.ok) throw new Error(`Request failed: ${response.status}`);
const data = await response.json();
console.log(data);

What Can You Build?

Note: These code examples are AI-generated and unverified. Always refer to the official API documentation for accurate usage.

Common Errors & Troubleshooting

101 Invalid access key The access_key parameter is missing or wrong.
✓ Create a free account at screenshotlayer.com and paste the key into the access_key parameter.
Blank or mostly white image The page loads content dynamically via JavaScript and the renderer timed out.
✓ Add &delay=3000 to give JavaScript time to finish rendering before the screenshot is taken.
104 Usage limit reached Monthly screenshot quota has been exhausted.
✓ Upgrade to a paid plan or wait for the quota to reset at the start of next month.

Matrix Score Breakdown

🌐 Reachability 30/30
⚡ Speed 15/20
🔒 Security 15/15
🛠 Developer XP 15/20
✓ Reliability 7/15
Response Time 342ms

Fully tested on Apr 5, 2026

Technical Specifications

Auth No Auth
HTTPS REQUIRED
CORS UNKNOWN
Category Photography
Difficulty Beginner
Verified: 2026-04-04

Alternatives to Screenshotlayer

Technical alternatives for different use cases.

ApiFlash

Chrome-based website screenshots with full-page capture

Better For

Accurate rendering using real Chrome browser

Trade-off

Bulk screenshot processing at low cost

Browshot

Multiple browser engines with mobile device simulation

Better For

Testing across different browser engines and devices

Trade-off

Simple single-page screenshot needs

Recipes Using Screenshotlayer

Build something with this API. Each recipe includes step-by-step instructions and code outlines.

Advanced 5-7 hours

Build a URL Security Scanner

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