Blog · Getting Started

How Do I Put a PDF on My Website?

Flipbook Flow · September 25, 2026

You can link directly to a PDF, embed it, or turn it into a browser-based flipbook. The best option depends on how you want visitors to read and interact with it.

How Do I Put a PDF on My Website?

You have three common options:

link directly to the PDF
embed the PDF file
publish it as an online flipbook and embed or link to that

The best option depends on how you want visitors to read the document and how often it changes.

Option 1: Link directly to the PDF

The simplest approach is to upload the PDF somewhere and add a normal link.

This works well when:

downloading is the main goal
the document is short
it rarely changes
you do not need detailed engagement data

The downside is that the reader may leave your page or open a raw document viewer.

Option 2: Embed the PDF

Some website platforms let you embed a PDF directly.

This can keep the document on the page, but the reading experience may still feel like a standard PDF viewer.

Mobile usability can vary.

Option 3: Embed a flipbook

If you want a more polished browser experience, you can turn the PDF into a flipbook and embed that instead.

Flipbook Flow provides website embed code on eligible plans.

The workflow is:

upload your PDF
publish the flipbook
open Share
choose responsive or fixed-size embed
copy the embed code
paste it into your website

Learn more about the online flipbook maker.

Why use a flipbook embed?

A flipbook embed can add:

browser-based reading
page navigation
mobile controls
zoom
optional PDF download
permanent URLs
analytics

The same publication can also be shared by link or QR code.

What if I update the PDF later?

This is where a persistent publication becomes especially useful.

Update the flipbook behind the embed instead of replacing the embed code everywhere.

The public destination can stay the same.

See Replace a PDF Without Changing the Link.

Can I keep visitors on my own website?

Yes. Embedding lets the publication appear inside your own page rather than sending the reader somewhere else immediately.

You can still provide a separate open-viewer link if you want.

Should I allow PDF downloads?

That depends on the document.

Downloads make sense for:

forms
guides people may print
reference documents
workbooks

You may prefer online-only reading for other publications.

Flipbook Flow lets the publisher control that setting.

What about QR codes?

You can use the same flipbook in both places.

Embed it on your website and use its QR code on printed materials.

See Flipbook With QR Code.

Quick takeaway

If you only need a file download, a direct PDF link may be enough.

If you want a better online reading experience, stable updates, embeds, QR codes and analytics, publish the PDF as a flipbook.

Create a flipbook or view pricing.