Google Drive PDF Embed Code Generator Tool Online

Paste a Google Drive share link (or file ID). The tool extracts the file ID and generates embeddable HTML snippets (iframe / object / responsive) for PDFs hosted on Google Drive.

Google Drive link or file ID

Width (px or %)

Height (px)

Embed type

Ready. Note: file must be shared (Anyone with link) for embedding to work.

The Ultimate Guide to Embedding Google Drive PDFs: From Links to Live Documents

You’ve got important documents—reports, brochures, guides, portfolios—safely stored on Google Drive. They’re accessible to anyone with a link, but you want more. You want them to live seamlessly on your website, blog, or intranet, looking like a natural part of the page instead of just a download link. That’s where embedding comes in. It transforms a static link into an interactive, inline viewer, keeping visitors engaged on your site.

However, Google Drive doesn’t always make it straightforward. The “Share” menu doesn’t have a simple “Copy embed code” button for PDFs. You’re left searching for the right URL format, the correct permissions, and the HTML that won’t break on mobile. This guide, paired with the tool above, cuts through that complexity. We’ll explain the how and why, so you can confidently embed Google Drive PDFs anywhere.

Why Embed a PDF Instead of Just Linking to It?

Before we dive into the code, let’s talk strategy. Why go through the trouble of embedding?

Improved User Experience: Visitors can preview content immediately without leaving your site, reducing bounce rates.
Professional Appearance: An embedded document looks cleaner and more integrated than a plain text link prompting a download.
Increased Engagement: Readers are more likely to skim or read a document presented directly on the page rather than committing to opening a new tab and downloading a file.
Control & Convenience: Update the PDF in your Drive, and the embedded version on your website updates automatically. No need to re-upload files to your web server.

The tool above automates the technical process, but understanding the underlying principles ensures you can troubleshoot and adapt the embed to any situation.

The Anatomy of a Google Drive PDF Link

To embed anything, you first need its unique identifier. For Google Drive, this is the File ID. A typical shareable link looks like this:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AbC2dEfGhIjKlmNoPqRs/view?usp=sharing

The crucial part is the string of random characters between /d/ and the next /: 1AbC2dEfGhIjKlmNoPqRs. That’s the File ID. Our tool’s first job is to extract this ID from any format you throw at it—whether it’s a full link, a shortened URL, or just the ID itself.

Critical Permission Check: No embed will work if the file is private. In Google Drive, click “Share” on your PDF, then under “General access,” set it to “Anyone with the link” with at least the “Viewer” role. Without this, visitors will just see an “Access denied” message.

Choosing Your Embed Method: iframe vs. object vs. Responsive

The tool offers three embed types. Here’s when to use each:

1. iframe (Recommended for Most Cases)

An <iframe> (Inline Frame) is the most reliable and widely supported method for embedding external content. It creates a little window on your page that loads Google Drive’s own PDF viewer. This viewer comes with built-in features like zoom, print, download, and full-screen mode.

Pros: Highly consistent, feature-rich, easy to implement. Cons: Can be slightly slower to load as it pulls in the full Drive viewer interface.

2. object/embed Tag (A Legacy Fallback)

The <object> tag is an older HTML standard meant for embedding multimedia. Some developers prefer it for its semantic meaning. In practice, modern browsers often handle PDFs within objects well, but support can be patchier. Our generated code includes a fallback link inside the object tag for browsers that can’t display it.

Use this if: You have specific reasons to avoid iframes or need maximum compatibility with very old systems (though these are increasingly rare).

3. Responsive (Mobile-First & Flexible)

This is the smart choice for modern, mobile-friendly websites. A fixed height of 600px might look great on a desktop but terrible on a phone. The responsive option wraps the iframe in a container that maintains a specific aspect ratio (like 16:9 for widescreen documents). The PDF viewer then scales fluidly to fit the width of its container.

This method uses CSS tricks (padding-top as a percentage) to create a fluid wrapper. It’s what professional sites use to ensure embeds look perfect on all devices.

Step-by-Step: Using the Embed Code Generator

Let’s walk through a real-world example using the tool on this page.

Get Your Shareable Link: In Google Drive, right-click your PDF, select “Share” > “Anyone with the link,” and copy the link.
Paste and Parse: Paste the link into the first input box. The tool works silently in the background to extract the File ID.
Customize Dimensions: Set your width. Use 100% to fill its container or a fixed value like 800px. Set a sensible height (e.g., 600px for a letter-sized document).
Select Embed Type: Choose “iframe” for reliability or “Responsive” for mobile-friendly behavior.
Generate and Copy: Click “Generate Embed Code.” The HTML snippet appears. Use the “Copy Code” button.
Implement: Paste this code directly into the HTML of your website page, blog post (using the “Text” or “Code Editor” mode, not Visual), or CMS widget that allows custom HTML.

Pro Tip: Always preview the embed on both desktop and mobile after publishing. If you used a fixed height, check that no content is cut off on smaller screens. The “Live preview” in our tool gives you an immediate sanity check.

Advanced Customization and Troubleshooting

Sometimes, you need more control. Here are solutions to common scenarios:

Speeding Up Load Times

The iframe can sometimes be the slowest part of your page to load. Add the loading="lazy" attribute to the iframe tag. This tells the browser to only load the PDF viewer when it’s about to scroll into the viewport, improving initial page speed.

<iframe src="..." ... loading="lazy"></iframe>

Hiding the Google Drive Toolbar

Want a cleaner look, hiding the “Open in Drive” and other buttons? This is tricky as Google controls the viewer. However, you can append #toolbar=0 to the preview URL in the src attribute. Be aware: this is an undocumented feature and may not work consistently.

src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/FILE_ID/preview#toolbar=0"

The Embed Shows a Blank Box or Error

Follow this checklist:

Permissions: Is the file shared with “Anyone with the link”?
Link Type: Did you accidentally use a “/view” link instead of a “/preview” link? Our tool uses the /preview endpoint specifically for embedding.
Ad Blockers: Some aggressive ad or script blockers can interfere with iframes from external domains like Google. Ask users to disable them for your site if necessary.
SSL/HTTPS: If your site uses HTTPS (it should!), the embedded content must also come from an HTTPS source. Google Drive links are HTTPS, so this is usually fine.

Quick Reference: Key Takeaways

Use the /preview URL, not the /view URL, for embedding.
Always set file permissions to “Anyone with the link” (Viewer).
For modern websites, the Responsive embed type is the best choice.
The generated code is standalone HTML. Paste it wherever your platform allows raw HTML.
Test on multiple devices. A good embed is a functional embed for all visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Google Drive PDF Embedding

Is it free to embed a Google Drive PDF on my website?

Absolutely. Google Drive allows you to generate shareable links and embed documents for free, as part of their consumer and Google Workspace services. There are no bandwidth charges for viewing the embedded PDF.

Will my website visitors need a Google account to view the embedded PDF?

No, they will not. As long as you have set the PDF’s sharing permissions to “Anyone with the link” (with the “Viewer” role), anyone can view the embedded document without signing in. This is the key setting for public-facing websites.

Can I embed other files from Google Drive, like Word Docs or Spreadsheets?

Yes, but the process and viewer are different. Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides have their own dedicated embed codes available directly from their “File” > “Publish to the web” menu. For these, use Google’s provided embed code. Our tool is specifically optimized for PDFs, which require the /preview URL method.

I updated the PDF in my Drive. Will the embedded version update too?

Yes, automatically. The embed loads the live file from Google Drive. Any changes you save to that file in Drive will be reflected in the embedded viewer, usually within a few minutes. You do not need to generate a new embed code.

Why does the embedded PDF look different from my original?

The embedded viewer is Google Drive’s PDF renderer, not Adobe Acrobat or your browser’s built-in PDF viewer. While it’s highly accurate, there can be minor differences in font rendering or spacing. For critical design fidelity, it’s always good to preview the embed after publishing.

Can I style the embed with a border or shadow?

You cannot style the internal content of the Google Drive viewer (the PDF itself). However, you can wrap the entire <iframe> or responsive container in a <div> and apply CSS to that—like adding a border, box-shadow, or padding. For example: <div style="border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 8px; overflow: hidden;">...embed code...</div>.

Is there a limit to how many times the embedded PDF can be viewed?

Google Drive does not impose a specific view limit on publicly shared files for individual users. However, there are overall bandwidth limits for very high-traffic files. For the vast majority of websites (even moderately busy ones), you will never hit this limit. It’s designed to prevent abuse, not hinder normal use.

Final Thoughts: Embedding Made Effortless

Embedding a Google Drive PDF is no longer a task for developers only. With a clear understanding of permissions, the right URL, and the proper HTML snippet, it becomes a simple copy-paste job. The tool on this page handles the technical extraction and code generation, freeing you to focus on creating great content and a seamless experience for your audience.

Whether you’re showcasing a restaurant menu, an event program, a company report, or a digital portfolio, embedding keeps your visitors engaged and your content dynamic. Start with the “iframe” or “Responsive” option, ensure your permissions are public, and you’ll have a professional, functional document viewer live on your site in minutes.