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For a 2× retina screenshot, set the rendering device scale factor (also called device pixel ratio) to 2. In Playwright, configure deviceScaleFactor on the browser context and use screenshot scale: "device" when you want the output to include device pixels. Hosted APIs may expose the setting differently, so check the specific provider’s request format and output-scale behavior.

What a device scale factor changes

A device scale factor maps CSS pixels to device pixels. At a factor of 2, a 400 × 300 CSS-pixel viewport can be rendered at 800 × 600 device pixels if the screenshot uses device-pixel output. The factor alone does not guarantee those output dimensions: the screenshot tool may separately choose whether to save CSS-pixel or device-pixel scale.

In Playwright, these are separate controls. The browser context’s deviceScaleFactor sets the emulated device pixel ratio. The screenshot’s scale determines whether the image has one pixel per CSS pixel ("css") or per device pixel ("device"). For high-DPI output, set the context factor and request device scale.

Set it in Playwright

Use a browser context with the desired viewport and device scale factor, then specify screenshot scale. This runnable Node.js example saves a PNG at device-pixel scale:

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const { chromium } = require('playwright');

(async () => {
  const browser = await chromium.launch();
  const context = await browser.newContext({
    viewport: { width: 400, height: 300 },
    deviceScaleFactor: 2
  });
  const page = await context.newPage();
  await page.goto('https://example.com', { waitUntil: 'networkidle' });
  await page.screenshot({ path: 'retina.png', scale: 'device' });
  await browser.close();
})();

With a 400 × 300 viewport and a factor of 2, device-scale output is expected to be twice the viewport dimensions in pixels, subject to screenshot mode and page behavior. The example illustrates configuration; it is not a claim that a capture was run. Playwright notes that high-DPI screenshots using device scale can be twice as large or larger.

Choose the output scale deliberately

  • scale: "device" writes at device-pixel scale, appropriate when the file itself should contain the extra pixels.
  • scale: "css" writes one output pixel per CSS pixel. The page still has the configured device pixel ratio, but the saved image is not enlarged on that basis.

See Playwright’s browser context documentation and screenshot options for the current API details.

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Configure a hosted screenshot API

For a hosted service, the factor generally belongs in the screenshot request options or viewport/session settings. Do not assume that the parameter name, accepted range, default, or output scaling is the same across providers.

Browserless

Browserless documents a REST /screenshot request with a URL and an options object, and supports viewport size and device scale factor among its screenshot options. Its ViewportOptions documentation calls the setting deviceScaleFactor and says it defaults to 1. Its GraphQL viewport mutation also accepts width, height, and deviceScaleFactor; the documented mobile example uses a 375 × 667 viewport and explicitly supplies a factor. These are documentation examples, not verified output from an executed capture.

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Because the REST page describes standard Puppeteer-style options and configuration can vary by API version, use the endpoint’s current OpenAPI reference to confirm the exact request body before integrating it. Browserless documents the REST screenshot interface at its Screenshot API page and the viewport setting at its ViewportOptions reference.

Other providers and command-line tools

Provider-specific names and ranges differ. For example, the cited ScreenshotAPI reference lists deviceScaleFactor from 1 to 5 and separately describes rendering scale as css or device. Check the provider’s current documentation for how those settings interact rather than copying a request from another API. See ScreenshotAPI’s reference.

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The command-line tool shot-scraper documents --retina as using a device scale factor of 2. That flag is specific to shot-scraper, not a universal screenshot API parameter; see its documentation.

Choosing the right configuration

Implementation Where to set it Default or range documented Output-scale consideration
ScreenshotNeo Request option; supports retina scale Specific default and accepted range not stated Confirm the desired output dimensions and format in the API documentation.
Browserless Screenshot options or viewport configuration deviceScaleFactor defaults to 1 in ViewportOptions documentation Confirm the REST endpoint’s current option behavior in its OpenAPI reference.
Playwright Browser context deviceScaleFactor Specific default not stated here Set screenshot scale to "device" for device-pixel output or "css" for CSS-pixel output.
ScreenshotAPI Provider request parameter Reference lists 1 to 5 Reference describes css and device rendering scale separately; verify their interaction.
shot-scraper CLI option --retina Documented factor is 2 The flag is tool-specific; check the CLI documentation for resulting file behavior.

For a true 2× image file, verify both the configured factor and the screenshot output scale. If you only need browser behavior that responds to a high-DPI display, the context factor may be relevant even when the saved file remains at CSS-pixel scale.

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Or skip the browser setup

ScreenshotNeo is a website screenshot API with retina scale support. Its parameter names also work with the names used by other screenshot APIs, which can simplify switching. A one-call cURL request looks like this:

curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webp

See the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for request options. ScreenshotNeo can accept cookie or consent banners and remove known consent platforms, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture; each step can be turned off. Bot checks, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads, and cache hits are not billed, and the response identifies the page verdict and billing status. Its MCP server offers screenshot tools for AI agents. The Free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month with no card, and paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 shots. Learn more at ScreenshotNeo, or sign up for 1,000 free screenshots a month with no card.

Troubleshooting retina output

  • The image dimensions did not double. In Playwright, check both the context’s deviceScaleFactor and screenshot scale: "device". For hosted APIs, confirm that the service treats its device-scale setting as output scaling rather than only emulation.
  • The image is too large. Device-scale captures can be twice as large or larger. Reduce the factor, reduce the viewport dimensions, or choose CSS-pixel output if that meets the requirement.
  • The provider rejects the parameter. Confirm the provider’s spelling, accepted range, and configuration location. Do not assume that Browserless, ScreenshotAPI, Playwright, and command-line tools share a request format.
  • The page looks different from a normal desktop capture. A device scale factor configures high-DPI emulation; it does not make every other viewport or browser setting identical. Check viewport dimensions and other emulation options separately.
  • A retina flag or setting has no effect in another tool. Options such as shot-scraper’s --retina are tool-specific. Use the target tool’s own API or CLI reference.

FAQ

Does a retina screenshot require special hardware?

No physical accessory is established as necessary for these documented configurations; the cited methods set the scale in browser software or a screenshot service.

Is device scale factor the same thing as image scale?

Not always. In Playwright, device scale factor configures the emulated device pixel ratio, while screenshot scale selects CSS-pixel or device-pixel output.

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