To make a Google Calendar public, open Google Calendar on a computer, click the gear icon > Settings, select the calendar under Settings for my calendars, and in Access permissions for events check Make available to public. Choose whether people can See all event details or only See only free/busy (hide details). Then click Get shareable link to share it, or use the embed code in the Integrate calendar section to put it on a website.
Below are the full steps, how to share or embed the public calendar, and what to check before making anything public.
Before you make a calendar public
- Use a separate calendar. Create a new calendar for public events (for example, “Club events” or “Office hours”) instead of making your personal calendar public.
- Review existing events. Anything already on the calendar becomes visible, including descriptions, locations, and attachments if you show full details.
- Know that it’s searchable. Public calendars can be found by anyone with the link and may appear in search results.
Create a new calendar for public events (optional)
- In Google Calendar, click the + next to Other calendars on the left.
- Choose Create new calendar.
- Enter a name and description, choose a time zone, and click Create calendar.
Make the calendar public
- Go to Google Calendar on a computer (the mobile apps don’t offer this setting).
- Click the Settings gear at the top right and choose Settings.
- Under Settings for my calendars on the left, click the calendar’s name.
- Scroll to Access permissions for events.
- Check Make available to public and click OK on the warning.
- Next to the checkbox, choose See all event details or See only free/busy (hide details).
| Option | What the public sees | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| See all event details | Titles, times, descriptions, locations | Event schedules, classes, community calendars |
| See only free/busy | Blocks of busy time, no details | Showing your availability for meetings |
- Link: In the same section, click Get shareable link, then Copy link, and send or post it.
- Embed on a website: Scroll to Integrate calendar and copy the Embed code. Click Customize to change the size, colors, default view, and which elements appear, then paste the code into your web page.
- Subscribe in other apps: Copy the Public address in iCal format so people can add the calendar to Outlook or Apple Calendar.
Tips for a useful public calendar
- Write clear event titles that make sense without context, such as “Beginner Yoga, Room 2” rather than “Class.”
- Add locations and links so people can find the venue or join an online meeting.
- Set the calendar’s time zone in its settings so visitors in other regions see correct times in their own time zone.
- Use a description on the calendar itself to explain what it’s for and who to contact.
- Keep it current. Delete cancelled events promptly so people don’t show up for something that isn’t happening.
Need people to book time instead?
If your goal is to let people schedule meetings with you, a public calendar isn’t the best tool. Google Calendar’s appointment schedules (available with many personal and Workspace accounts) create a booking page where people can pick an open slot without seeing the rest of your calendar.
Making individual events private
You can keep certain events hidden on a public calendar. Open the event, click the pencil icon to edit it, and change the visibility setting (often shown as Default visibility) to Private. Others will see that time as busy without details.
If you can’t make the calendar public
- Work or school accounts: Your administrator may block public sharing outside the organization. You might only see options to share within your organization.
- Option is missing on your phone: Use a computer or a browser in desktop mode.
- Calendar isn’t yours: Only the owner, or people with permission to manage sharing, can change access settings.
How to make the calendar private again
Return to Settings > your calendar > Access permissions for events and uncheck Make available to public. Existing links and embeds stop showing events, although people who already subscribed may have cached copies for a while.
Related: How to share a Google Calendar event link.
Frequently asked questions
Can people edit a public Google Calendar?
No. Public access is view-only. To let specific people edit, share the calendar with them under Share with specific people or groups and choose Make changes to events.
Will my personal calendar become public too?
No. The setting applies only to the calendar you select.
How do I find my calendar’s public link later?
Go back to the calendar’s settings and look under Integrate calendar for the Public URL to this calendar.
Do people need a Google account to see it?
No. Anyone with the link or embed can view a public calendar.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.