---
title: "How to take a screenshot of the current map view (screenshot helper) | JavaScript maps SDK"
description: "Capture map view as PNG blob using helper."
---
> For AI agents: a documentation index is available at [/llms.txt](https://docs.maptiler.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of all pages are available by appending .md to any URL.
# How to take a screenshot of the current map view (screenshot helper)
This example shows how to capture the current map view as a `blob` (PNG image). The [screenshot helper](https://docs.maptiler.com/sdk-js/api/helpers/#screenshot) is the most convenient way to save map snapshots.
The returned `blob` of a PNG image file can be very handy if the goal is to programmatically further manipulate the screenshot, such as sending it to some feedback endpoint with a POST request.
In this example we are going to use the `takeScreenshot` helper to replace the _drawn map image_ (in the lower left corner of the map) with an image of the current map view.
Click on the _Take screenshot_ button to replace the drawing map image for the current map view image
### NPM module setup
```bash
npm install --save @maptiler/sdk
```
#### main.js
```js
import { Map, MapStyle, config, helpers } from '@maptiler/sdk';
import '@maptiler/sdk/dist/maptiler-sdk.css';
config.apiKey = 'YOUR_MAPTILER_API_KEY_HERE';
const map = new Map({
container: 'map',
zoom: 17.5,
center: [16.373344, 48.208479],
style: MapStyle.HYBRID
});
map.on('ready', () => {
document.getElementById('screenshot').addEventListener('click', function () {
takePicture();
});
});
async function takePicture() {
const imageSnapshot = document.getElementById('snapshot');
imageSnapshot.classList.add('hidden');
const mapBlob = await helpers.takeScreenshot(map);
const objectURL = URL.createObjectURL(mapBlob);
imageSnapshot.src = objectURL;
imageSnapshot.classList.remove('hidden');
}
```
#### index.html
```html
How to take a screenshot of the current map view (screenshot helper) | NPM example
```
## Related examples
### [Download a map screenshot (screenshot helper)](https://docs.maptiler.com/sdk-js/examples/helper-screenshot-download/)
Examples
Download map screenshot as PNG file using helper.
### [Heatmap layer (heatmap helper)](https://docs.maptiler.com/sdk-js/examples/helper-heatmap-minimal/)
Examples
Quickly add a heatmap layer using the heatmap helper.
### [Point layer labels (point helper)](https://docs.maptiler.com/sdk-js/examples/helper-point-label/)
Examples
Add labeled point layer using MapTiler point helper.
### [Point layer scaled radius by property (point helper)](https://docs.maptiler.com/sdk-js/examples/helper-point-ramped-property/)
Examples
Scale point layer radius and color by property.
