To find Puppeteer’s default Chrome executable path, run console.log(puppeteer.executablePath()). To use a different browser binary, pass its absolute path as executablePath to puppeteer.launch(). If you use puppeteer-core, provide either executablePath or a Chrome channel when launching.
Print Puppeteer’s default Chrome path
With the full puppeteer package, executablePath() returns the path to Puppeteer’s default browser executable. Run this from the project where Puppeteer is installed:
const puppeteer = require('puppeteer');
console.log(puppeteer.executablePath());For an ES module, use an import instead:
import puppeteer from 'puppeteer';
console.log(puppeteer.executablePath());The printed value is the executable path, not merely the browser download cache directory. Puppeteer’s API describes executablePath() as returning the default executable path. If Puppeteer’s managed browser is installed, you can usually let Puppeteer choose it without specifying a path.
Launch using the path
To select a particular binary explicitly, set executablePath in the launch options. Replace the example path with the value from your command or the absolute path to the browser you intend to use.
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const puppeteer = require('puppeteer');
(async () => {
const browser = await puppeteer.launch({
executablePath: '/absolute/path/to/chrome',
headless: true,
});
try {
const page = await browser.newPage();
await page.goto('https://example.com');
console.log(await page.title());
} finally {
await browser.close();
}
})();executablePath is optional when using Puppeteer’s managed browser. When you choose a different executable, Puppeteer cautions that compatibility is not guaranteed for arbitrary browser builds; it guarantees compatibility with its bundled browser. See the LaunchOptions interface.
Choose the right discovery method
Use the managed browser path
For reproducible automation, the simplest approach is generally to use the browser installed for your Puppeteer version and let Puppeteer resolve it. Call puppeteer.executablePath() when you need to inspect, log, or pass that resolved path elsewhere.
Use a system-installed Chrome channel
If your project intentionally uses a standard system Chrome channel, Puppeteer provides computeSystemExecutablePath to look for a release channel at known installation locations. It throws if Chrome is not found where expected. Consult the computeSystemExecutablePath() reference for its inputs and behavior; do not assume one machine’s system path applies to every operating system or installation.
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Use an independently managed binary
If Chrome or Chromium is installed and updated outside Puppeteer, pass its absolute executable path to launch(). The location depends on the operating system, installation method, and browser build, so verify the path on the machine that runs your script instead of copying a cache subpath from another environment.
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The package variant changes how launch and configuration work:
| Package | Path and launch behavior | Configuration behavior |
|---|---|---|
puppeteer |
Normally downloads and uses its managed browser; inspect its default with executablePath(). |
Configuration files and environment variables can customize defaults. |
puppeteer-core |
At launch, requires executablePath or channel. |
Ignores Puppeteer configuration files and environment variables. |
These differences are documented in Puppeteer’s Configuration guide and PuppeteerNode API reference. With Core, make the browser choice explicit in your launch code:
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const puppeteer = require('puppeteer-core');
const browser = await puppeteer.launch({
executablePath: '/absolute/path/to/chrome',
});Alternatively, provide a supported channel instead of a path when you want Puppeteer to locate a standard channel installation.
Understand the cache directory versus the executable
Since Puppeteer v19.0.0, browser downloads default to ~/.cache/puppeteer. That is the cache root directory, not a universal Chrome executable path. The installed executable’s actual location can vary by platform and browser build.
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You can change the installation directory with PUPPETEER_CACHE_DIR, or configure cacheDirectory in a .puppeteerrc.js file. Puppeteer’s troubleshooting guidance says to reinstall Puppeteer for configuration changes to take effect. See Puppeteer troubleshooting and the InstallOptions reference.
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Fix “Could not find expected browser locally”
This error often means the browser download did not happen or Puppeteer is looking in a different cache location; it does not necessarily mean you should guess a new executable path.
- Check that the installation script ran. Some package managers block install scripts, which can prevent the browser download.
- Install the required browser manually. From the project directory, run
npx puppeteer browsers install. Puppeteer documents this recovery command in its troubleshooting guide. - Check cache configuration. Confirm the value of
PUPPETEER_CACHE_DIRor the configuredcacheDirectory, if either is set. A changed cache directory may require reinstalling Puppeteer for the configuration to take effect. - Resolve the path from the installed package. Run
puppeteer.executablePath()after installation rather than constructing a path based on a presumed cache subdirectory. - For an independently installed browser, provide its verified executable path or a supported channel in launch options.
Puppeteer’s Installation guide also explains the independently managed browser case.
Common path and launch problems
- The path points to a directory: Use the browser executable itself, not
~/.cache/puppeteeror another cache root. - The file is absent on the runtime machine: Install the browser in that environment or use a path valid there. A local development path may not exist in a container or deployment host.
puppeteer-corestarts without a browser selection: AddexecutablePathorchannel; Core requires one of them.- A configuration environment variable appears ignored: Check whether the project uses
puppeteer-core, which ignores Puppeteer configuration files and environment variables. - A system Chrome path works on one machine but not another: Installation locations vary. Use the system-channel lookup when applicable or configure the correct executable path per environment.
- The browser launches but behaves incompatibly: An arbitrary Chrome or Chromium build is not guaranteed to match Puppeteer. Prefer the bundled browser unless independent browser management is required.
Or skip the browser setup
If your goal is to get a website screenshot rather than run a browser yourself, ScreenshotNeo returns an image or PDF from one GET request, so you do not need to find or install a local Chrome executable. Its API call can look like this; see the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for options.
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Performance, reliability, and cost considerations
Using Puppeteer’s bundled browser avoids maintaining a separate browser path and version, which can simplify reproducibility. If you manage Chrome independently, include browser installation and version compatibility in your deployment process; a path that exists does not by itself establish that the browser build is compatible.
For a task that specifically needs browser automation, Puppeteer gives you control over the browser and page. For the narrower task of producing a screenshot or PDF from a URL, an API avoids managing the browser executable; ScreenshotNeo’s billing behavior and plan limits are described above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Puppeteer provide the Chrome executable path automatically?
Yes. With the full `puppeteer` package, `puppeteer.executablePath()` returns the default executable path for its managed browser.
Does `puppeteer-core` download Chrome?
Core’s launch requires an `executablePath` or `channel`; it does not use Puppeteer configuration files or environment variables.
Quick Recap
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