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Google Calendar

How to Sync Google Calendar with Outlook

There are two routes — adding Google Calendar as an account inside Outlook (full two-way sync), or subscribing to the public iCal URL (one-way, read-only). The first is what most people actually want.

Step-by-step

  1. Open Outlook for Windows or Mac (the new Outlook, version 16.85+).
  2. Click File → Add Account (or the + next to your account list).
  3. Enter your Google email address and click Next. Outlook redirects to a Google sign-in window.
  4. Sign in to Google and accept the requested permissions (Calendar, Contacts, Mail if you want it).
  5. Once added, your Google Calendar appears in the calendar list alongside your Microsoft account. New events created in either place sync within ~1 minute.

Read-only via iCal URL

If you only want to view Google events inside Outlook (no editing), use the secret iCal URL from Google Calendar's Settings and sharing page → Integrate calendar → Secret address in iCal format. In Outlook, go to Calendar → Add calendar → Subscribe from web and paste the URL.

Outlook.com (web)

The web version of Outlook.com doesn't support adding a Google account directly. Use the iCal-URL approach above, or sync via the desktop Outlook app and let it propagate.

Common sync issues

  • Events missing colors: Outlook only syncs Google event colors if you use category mapping — set this up under Account settings → Calendar properties.
  • Recurring events show wrong end date: recurring events with very long histories sometimes truncate; recreate the series.
  • Sync lag > 15 minutes: sign out and back into the Google account in Outlook.

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

Is the sync two-way?
Yes, when you add Google as an account. The iCal-URL method is read-only.
Do I need a paid Outlook subscription?
No — Outlook for the web (free) and Outlook on desktop both support adding Google accounts.
Will my Google Calendar reminders sync?
Reminders themselves don't sync, but notifications still fire from Google's apps. Outlook treats Google events with its own reminder defaults.