4 Ways To Create a Link to a PDF

Sometimes, attaching a PDF just isn’t convenient. Maybe the file is too big, or you don’t want to clutter someone’s inbox. A PDF URL link makes sharing simpler—you can drop it into an email, add it to a website, or post it on social media.

PDFs are great for sharing because they can be opened on almost any device without requiring special software. A PDF Converter allows you to turn any Microsoft Office document or image file into a PDF in seconds—no registration needed, and no new software to install.

Uploading the PDF to a Cloud Service

The simplest way to create a URL link for a PDF is by uploading it to a cloud service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. These platforms give you a direct link to share with anyone.

Using Google Drive

1. Upload your PDF to Google Drive.
2. Right-click the file and select Share > Get link.
3. Set permissions to “Anyone with the link” (if you want it publicly accessible).
4. Click “Copy link” and share it!

If you want to restrict access, you can do this by leaving the permissions on “Restricted” and then adding the email addresses of the people who can access it. Once done, you can select “Copy link” and share it.

Using Dropbox

1. Drag and drop the PDF into your Dropbox folder.
2. Click “Share,” then “Copy link.”
3. Adjust settings if you need to control who can view it.

Using OneDrive

1. Upload your PDF to OneDrive.
2. Select the file and click “Share.”
3. Choose “Copy link,” then send it where it needs to go.

If you’re sending a link to someone who doesn’t need to edit the PDF, make sure it’s set to View Only to prevent unwanted changes.

Using Smallpdf

If—like us—you do all your PDF work using Smallpdf, and are registered, you can share PDFs directly from your account.

1. Sign into your Smallpdf account.
2. Click on “Documents” in the left toolbar.
3. Find the document you want to share.
4. Click on the kebab menu ⋮ to the right.
5. Select “Share,” then copy the link and share it.

Whenever you use one of the Smallpdf tools on a document, you also have the option to share it once finished. The “Share” button is usually below the “Download” button.

Embedding a PDF Directly on a Website

Need to link to a PDF on your website? You can turn a PDF into a URL link and add it to a website using a little bit of HTML.

1. Upload the PDF to your website’s hosting service.
2. Copy the direct file link.
3. Use this simple HTML code to display it:

This will open the PDF in a new tab when anyone clicks on the “View PDF” text. To force it to download instead, replace target="_blank" with download.

Linking to a Specific Page in a PDF

Sometimes, you want a PDF to open on a specific page, and you can do this by simply adding #page=[number] to the end of the file URL, like this:

  https://yourwebsite.com/document.pdf#page=3

When someone clicks this link, the document will open directly to Page 3. This works best when opening PDFs in a browser.

If you have a multipage document and only want to share a few pages, use Delete PDF Pages to remove everything but the pages you want to share.

Sharing PDFs on Social Media or Messaging Apps

Not all platforms handle PDFs the same way. Some, like Facebook, don’t let you upload PDFs directly, but you can share a PDF as a link instead.

• WhatsApp: You can either add the PDF to a message, or upload your PDF to Google Drive or Dropbox, then send the link in a chat. The file size limit for WhatsApp is now a very generous 2 GB, which should be enough for most PDFs.
• Facebook: Post the link in a status update or comment. If the PDF is public, a preview might appear. You can only upload a PDF to Facebook Groups and Business pages.
• LinkedIn: When making a new post on LinkedIn you can click on “More” (the + icon), then select “Add a document.”
• Twitter/X: The best way to share a PDF via Twitter/X would be to add it to a cloud service first, then add the URL to your post.

Your Top Questions About Creating a Link to a PDF Answered

How can I convert a PDF into a URL link?

Upload it to a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox, then copy the shareable link. It’s super easy and only takes a minute. If you’re working with a website, you can also upload the PDF there and grab the direct link. Just make sure your sharing settings are right—otherwise, people might hit a permission wall instead of your file.

What’s the easiest way to create a URL link for a PDF?

Google Drive is the quickest option—just upload, right-click, and grab the link. No fancy software or tech skills needed! Plus, you can tweak the settings to control who can view or edit the file.

How do I share a PDF as a link instead of an attachment?

Use a cloud service or upload the PDF to your Smallpdf account and share the direct link. This is perfect when your file is too big for email, or you just don’t want to clutter someone’s inbox. If you’re posting on social media or messaging apps, dropping a link keeps things simple—no one likes downloading a random attachment just to see what’s inside.

Can I embed a PDF in a webpage using a URL?

Yes! Use simple HTML to display the PDF or link to it. If you want visitors to stay on your site, embedding is the way to go—it keeps the file visible without forcing a download.

Is it possible to create a link for a specific page in a PDF?

Yes! Just add #page=[number] at the end of the URL to direct users to a specific page. It’s a great option when you need someone to jump straight to the important part instead of scrolling through a 50-page document. This trick works in most browsers.