Table of contents

Why embed a PDF in WordPress?Option 1: Use the PDF Embedder plugin (free + simple)Option 2: Use Formidable Forms to display PDFs from form entriesOption 3: Use the built-in File block (basic option)Option 4: Embed with an iframe (no plugin)Tips for embedding PDFs in WordPressNext stepsAdditional resources

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WordPress Guide → Build → PDF Viewer

How to add a WordPress PDF viewer to your site

Embedding PDFs in WordPress should be easy—but the default experience? Not so much. By default, WordPress links to the PDF file, which forces users to download or open it in their browser. That’s not ideal if you want visitors to read your PDF right on the page.

Fortunately, there are plugins and tools that make it easy to display PDFs directly inside your WordPress posts and pages. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to add a WordPress PDF viewer that works on all devices and looks great on your site.

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Why embed a PDF in WordPress?

PDFs are perfect for sharing documents like:

eBooks or whitepapers
Product catalogs or menus
Case studies or brochures
Printable forms and worksheets

When you embed a PDF viewer, your content stays on the page instead of interrupting the user’s experience. That means:

No more forcing downloads
Better mobile compatibility
More professional presentation
Longer on-page engagement

Now let’s look at the best ways to make that happen.

Option 1: Use the PDF Embedder plugin (free + simple)

If you just need a clean, responsive PDF viewer that works out of the box, PDF Embedder is a great option. It uses JavaScript to embed PDFs with a simple shortcode and offers features like page navigation and zoom.

Step 1: Install and activate the plugin

Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard
Search for PDF Embedder
Click Install Now, then Activate

Step 2: Upload your PDF

Go to Media > Add New
Upload your PDF file
Click on the file to copy the URL

Step 3: Add the PDF to a post or page

Paste this shortcode anywhere in your content:

[pdf-embedder url=”https://yoursite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/your-file.pdf”]

You’ll see a responsive PDF viewer with basic controls for page navigation and zooming.

Optional: Use the block editor

If you’re using Gutenberg, just add a Shortcode block and paste the same shortcode. Easy.

Upgrade for more features

The premium version offers:

Mobile-friendly scrolling
Hyperlink support
Download buttons
Security options (like disabling downloads)

But for most use cases, the free version is more than enough.

Option 2: Use Formidable Forms to display PDFs from form entries

If you’re working with user-generated PDFs—like invoices, applications, or custom reports—Formidable Forms is the most powerful option. It lets you generate PDFs from form data and display them anywhere on your site.

Step 1: Install Formidable Forms and the PDF add-on

Install the Formidable Forms plugin and activate it
Get a Formidable Pro license (required for the PDF add-on)
Go to Formidable > Add-Ons and install the PDF add-on

Step 2: Create a form and PDF template

Go to Formidable > Forms and build your form (e.g. application form)
Create a View or use the PDF settings to generate a custom template from the form data
Configure how the data appears in the PDF

Step 3: Display the PDF on your site

You can:

Automatically email the PDF after form submission
Show a link or button to view the PDF
Embed the PDF directly using a shortcode or iframe

This setup is ideal for dynamic PDFs personalized to each user.

Option 3: Use the built-in File block (basic option)

WordPress includes a File block in the Block Editor that lets you upload and link to a PDF. It’s fast, but it only adds a download button—no in-page viewer.

Add a File block
Upload or select your PDF
Choose whether to show a download button or just the file link

Good for quick downloads, but not useful if you want the PDF to appear inline.

Option 4: Embed with an iframe (no plugin)

If you prefer to avoid plugins, you can embed PDFs using an HTML iframe:

This works in most modern browsers, but it doesn’t offer extra features like zoom or page navigation. Plus, it might not display properly on mobile.

Use this only if you want a very minimal, plugin-free setup.

Tips for embedding PDFs in WordPress

Use responsive plugins: Make sure your viewer works on mobile devices.
Optimize your PDFs: Compress large files before uploading to avoid slow load times.
Avoid browser compatibility issues: JavaScript-based viewers (like PDF Embedder) tend to work better across browsers than iframe embeds.
Secure your files: If you’re embedding private or user-specific documents, use plugins with access controls.

Getting started with a WordPress PDF viewer

Embedding PDFs in WordPress is a quick win for user experience. Whether you’re sharing eBooks, catalogs, or dynamically generated files, a PDF viewer keeps your content clean, accessible, and on-brand.

Start by installing PDF Embedder or Formidable Forms—whichever fits your needs best—and get your PDFs live in minutes.

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