You can sync Google Calendar into Outlook on Windows, Mac, and the web

Google Calendar and Outlook do not connect directly through a single button. Instead, you add your Google Calendar as a separate calendar inside Outlook by sharing a special link that Outlook reads. This works on Outlook desktop (Windows and Mac), Outlook on the web, and Outlook mobile apps. The process takes about five minutes and does not require you to leave either process.

The method you use depends on which version of Outlook you have. Outlook desktop (the program you install on your computer) uses a different process than Outlook on the web (the version you access through a browser). Both work reliably, but the steps differ slightly.

Key Takeaways

  • Google Calendar syncs into Outlook through a shared calendar link, not a direct connection, so changes in Google Calendar appear in Outlook but you cannot edit them from Outlook.
  • Outlook desktop and Outlook on the web use different methods to add the calendar, so check which version you use before starting.
  • You need to turn on calendar sharing in Google Calendar first, then paste the calendar link into Outlook.
  • The sync is one-way: events created or edited in Google Calendar show up in Outlook, but Outlook cannot push changes back to Google Calendar.
  • If the calendar does not appear after 24 hours, check that sharing is turned on and that you pasted the correct link.

How to find your Google Calendar sharing link

Open Google Calendar in a web browser and sign in with the Google account that holds the calendar you want to sync. On the left side of the screen, find the calendar name under "My calendars" and click the three-dot menu next to it. Select "Settings and sharing" from the dropdown.

Scroll down to the "Share with specific people and make public" section. Make sure the calendar is set to public or shared with your email address (if it is your own calendar, it should already be shared with you). Below that, find the section labeled "Public address in iCal format" or "Calendar address". Copy the link that starts with webcal:// or https:// — this is the link Outlook will read to display your events.

Adding Google Calendar to Outlook desktop on Windows

Open Outlook on your Windows computer. In the left sidebar, right-click on "Calendar" and select "Add Calendar" or "Add a Calendar". Choose "Subscribe from the Internet" or "From Internet" (the exact wording varies by Outlook version).

Paste the Google Calendar link you copied into the text box. Outlook will ask you to name the calendar — you can call it "Google Calendar" or anything else you prefer. Click OK or Subscribe. Outlook will read the calendar and display it alongside your other calendars. The first sync may take a few minutes.

Adding Google Calendar to Outlook desktop on Mac

Open Outlook on your Mac. Click the "Calendar" tab at the bottom of the window. In the menu bar at the top, click "Calendar" and then select "Subscribe to Calendar" or "Add Calendar".

A dialog box will appear asking for the calendar URL. Paste the Google Calendar link you copied. Outlook will ask you to name the calendar and choose where to store it — select your main Outlook calendar folder. Click OK. The calendar will appear in your sidebar within a few moments.

Adding Google Calendar to Outlook on the web

Sign in to Outlook on the web at outlook.office.com. Click "Calendar" in the left sidebar. At the top of the calendar list on the left, click the plus sign (+) next to "Add calendar" or look for an "Add calendar" button.

Select "Subscribe from web" or "From the internet". Paste the Google Calendar link into the text box. Name the calendar and click "Import" or "Subscribe". Outlook on the web will add the calendar to your sidebar and begin syncing events. You should see Google Calendar events appear within a few minutes.

What to do if the calendar does not appear

If Google Calendar does not show up in Outlook after 15 minutes, first check that you copied the correct link. Go back to Google Calendar settings, find the calendar address again, and make sure it starts with webcal:// or https://. If you copied a different link by mistake, delete the calendar from Outlook and add it again with the correct address.

Next, verify that the calendar is actually shared. In Google Calendar, open the calendar's settings again and confirm that sharing is turned on. If the calendar is set to private, Outlook cannot read it. Once you turn on sharing, Outlook may take up to 24 hours to pull in all the events, though usually it happens much faster.

If you are using Outlook desktop, try restarting the process. Sometimes Outlook needs to refresh its connection to the internet calendar. Close Outlook completely and open it again — this often triggers a fresh sync.

Understanding one-way sync and what you can and cannot do

When you link Google Calendar to Outlook this way, the sync only works in one direction. Events you create or edit in Google Calendar will appear in Outlook. However, you cannot edit or create events in Outlook and have them show up in Google Calendar. If you try to edit a Google Calendar event from within Outlook, the change will not save to Google Calendar.

This is different from a true two-way sync. If you need to edit events, you should edit them in Google Calendar itself, then check Outlook to see the updated version. If you create events in Outlook, they will stay in Outlook and not appear in Google Calendar. For most people who want to see their Google Calendar events alongside Outlook events, this one-way view is enough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit Google Calendar events from inside Outlook?

No. Outlook displays Google Calendar events as read-only. If you need to change an event, open Google Calendar directly and edit it there. The change will appear in Outlook within a few minutes.

Will events I create in Outlook show up in Google Calendar?

No. Events created in Outlook stay in Outlook. If you want events to appear in both places, create them in Google Calendar. You can then see them in Outlook through the sync.

How often does Outlook check for new events in Google Calendar?

Outlook typically syncs every 15 to 30 minutes, though the exact timing varies. If you need to see a newly created event right away, refresh your calendar manually or wait a few minutes for the automatic sync to run.

What if I unsubscribe from the Google Calendar in Outlook?

The calendar will disappear from Outlook, but your events in Google Calendar will not be affected. You can add the calendar back at any time by repeating the subscription process.

Can I sync multiple Google Calendars to Outlook?

Yes. Repeat the process for each calendar you want to add. Get the sharing link for each calendar in Google Calendar settings, then add each one to Outlook separately. They will all appear as separate calendars in your sidebar.