The best way to show a PDF inside a website
Linking to a PDF sends visitors away from your site or makes them download a file; embedding it with the browser's viewer behaves differently on each device and often fails on phones. An embedded flipbook looks the same in every browser, fits the width and reads by turning pages without leaving your page.
When you publish the flipbook you get an <iframe> code ready to paste. In WordPress, use a Custom HTML block; in Wix, "Embed code" or "Embed a site"; in Shopify, the HTML editor of a page or section; in Squarespace, a code block.
The embedded reader includes thumbnails, table of contents, zoom and full screen, and keeps the PDF links. Pages load on demand, so it doesn't slow down your site.
How do you turn a PDF into a flipbook?
- Drop your PDF on the page (up to 500 MB). It is read in your browser.
- Add a title and pick the effect (page turn or slide) and the background color.
- Click "Create flipbook": the pages are prepared and you see the result before publishing.
- Click "Publish" and copy the link, the embed code for your website or the QR code.
What people usually embed
- Catalogs and price lists on a shop or manufacturer website.
- A restaurant menu on its website.
- Magazines and newsletters on an association website.
- Annual reports and transparency documents.
- Product manuals and user guides.
What every flipbook includes
- Realistic page-turn effect, two pages side by side on desktop and one page on phones.
- PDF links keep working: to your website, your shop, an email address or another page of the document.
- Automatic table of contents from the PDF bookmarks, plus thumbnails of every page.
- Zoom, full screen, and navigation with the keyboard, arrows or a swipe.
- Short share link, <iframe> embed code and a downloadable QR code.
- View counter in "My flipbooks", and the option to appear on Google after a review.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the embedded flipbook?
The code has width="100%" and height="600", so it takes the full available width. You can change the height in the code itself (for example 800 for portrait catalogs). The reader has a full-screen button.
Is it free to create a flipbook?
Creating an account is free and comes with 20 gift credits. Publishing a flipbook costs 4 credits, and a free account can keep one published flipbook of up to 50 pages, which shows the ToolStudio badge and ads. With purchased credits you get up to 5 flipbooks of 300 pages, and with ToolStudio Pro (€2.99/month) you publish up to 100 flipbooks of 1,000 pages without spending credits and with no ads for your readers.
Is my PDF uploaded to a server?
The PDF isn't: it is opened and converted in your browser. So other people can see your flipbook, we upload the page images, their text and their links, and host them on ToolStudio. You can delete the flipbook anytime from "My flipbooks" and its files are removed.
Can I embed the flipbook on my website?
Yes. When you publish it you get an <iframe> code that works in WordPress (Custom HTML block), Wix (Embed code), Shopify, Squarespace, Webflow, Blogger or any HTML page. It fits the page width and can be opened full screen.
Does it look good on phones?
Yes. On narrow screens the flipbook shows one page at a time, turns with a swipe and can be zoomed. Pages load progressively, so even long catalogs open quickly.
Will my flipbook appear on Google?
Not by default: it is published "link only", so only people who get the link can see it. If you want it to be findable on Google, mark it as public in "My flipbooks"; we review it and, once approved, its page includes the document text so search engines can read it.
What about password-protected PDFs?
PDFs with an opening password can't be converted. Remove the password with the program you made it with and try again.
