To capture one element with ApiFlash, add the element parameter with a CSS selector. ApiFlash captures the first matching element. In a GET request, URL-encode the selector; if the element appears only after the page renders, use wait_for to wait for it.
Capture an element with the ApiFlash API
The documented endpoint is https://api.apiflash.com/v1/urltoimage. A request needs an access key and the URL of the page to capture. ApiFlash accepts GET query parameters or POST form data, and returns image bytes by default.
For a GET request, encode the CSS selector as a query parameter. For example, #main-content becomes %23main-content:
https://api.apiflash.com/v1/urltoimage?access_key=YOUR_ACCESS_KEY&url=https%3A%2F%2Fexample.com&element=%23main-content
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Replace YOUR_ACCESS_KEY with your ApiFlash key and set url to the page you want to capture. The selector targets the first matching element, not every element matching it.
Wait for a late-rendered element
If JavaScript or lazy loading inserts the target after the initial page load, add wait_for with a selector that identifies an element to wait for. ApiFlash documents a 15-second failure timeout if no element matches wait_for.
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Prefer a selector wait or a page-state condition such as wait_until over an arbitrary fixed delay when you can identify the element or state that signals readiness. ApiFlash says it waits for network idle by default, but that alone may not be sufficient for every dynamic page.
Choose the right capture mode
- One DOM element: Use
elementwith a CSS selector. ApiFlash captures the first match. - A rectangular region: Use
cropwith left, top, width, and height values when you need fixed coordinates rather than a DOM target. - The whole page: Use
full_page=true. This mode ignoreselement, so do not combine it with element capture expecting the selector to take effect. - Overlapping content: Use
element_overlapif the capture should include elements overlapping the selected element. - Other output and timing controls: ApiFlash also documents output format, viewport dimensions,
wait_until, andwait_for. Consult the current API documentation for parameter behavior and limits.
Troubleshoot failed or unexpected captures
- The wrong area appears: Check that the selector is specific enough and that the intended element is the first match. For GET requests, confirm the selector is URL-encoded.
- The element is missing: If it is added after load, set
wait_forto a selector that appears when the target is ready. If the wait selector never matches, ApiFlash documents a 15-second timeout. - The selector seems ignored: Check whether
full_page=trueis set. ApiFlash ignoreselementin full-page mode. - The page is blocked: Cloudflare or similar bot protection may prevent capture. ApiFlash says a proxy can help in some cases, depending on the site’s protection, but it is not a guaranteed workaround.
- The page is dynamic despite network idle: Use a selector wait or another suitable readiness condition; network idle does not guarantee that every client-rendered element is present.
Or skip the browser setup
ScreenshotNeo can capture a page with one GET request and offers an API parameter named selector for targeting an element. See the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for the current parameter details.
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curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webp
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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Alternative ways to capture a selected element
Cloudflare Browser Run’s screenshot endpoint and the shot-scraper command-line tool are other selector-based approaches. ApiFlash is a hosted API; shot-scraper is a command-line tool. Compare their current documentation for selector behavior, wait controls, authentication, output handling, and service limits. The available documentation does not establish that either alternative is faster, cheaper, more reliable, or easier.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does ApiFlash capture every element that matches my CSS selector?
No. It captures the first matching element.
Can I use ApiFlash element capture with full-page capture?
No. When full_page=true, ApiFlash ignores element.
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