How to embed Google Forms into your WordPress site

You can embed a Google Form in WordPress by copying the HTML embed code from Google Forms and pasting it into a Custom HTML block on WordPress. You don’t need a plug-in if you’re paying for WordPress. If you’re using a free WordPress.com site, Google Forms embedding requires a paid plan upgrade. 

There are other solutions. For example, Jotform embeds on free WordPress.com sites with no restrictions, and it offers more design control and features. This guide walks through the current Google Forms embed flow step-by-step and covers what to check if you’re on WordPress. If you need a free and more flexible form solution that has your brand’s look and feel, I’ve shared more about Jotform, how it works, and how you can embed it easily onto any WordPress site.

How to embed a Google Form in WordPress without a plug-in

If you’re on a paid WordPress plan, you can embed a Google Form in WordPress in a few minutes. 

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide with images.

Step 1: Copy the embed code from Google Forms

1. Open your form at forms.google.com. 
2. If you haven’t already, click Publish at the top right and follow the prompts to make the form accessible to respondents. Google now requires forms to be published before ‌embedding them or filling them in. 

3. Click the three-dot icon at the top right corner and select Embed HTML from the dropdown. 

4. Once you’ve clicked Embed HTML, you’ll see a popup like the one in the following images. In the popup, you can adjust the size of the embedded form by changing the width and height in pixels.
5. Click Copy to copy the iFrame code to your clipboard.

Step 2: Add the embed code to your WordPress page or post

1. Go to your WordPress website and open the page or post where you want the form to appear. 
2. Click the + icon for the block inserter and find or search for HTML, then add the block.

3. Paste your embed code into the block that appears on the right-hand side.

4. Click Preview to see how the form looks before it goes live. Click Publish if you’re happy with it or Update to make changes.. 

Struggling to create a form in Google Forms? Read our free guides:

• How to use Google Forms
• How to create a Google Form

Step 3: Test the form after publishing

Once the page is live, take a few minutes to check it: 

• Open the page on both desktop and mobile to confirm the form fits the layout and is usable from both devices. 
• Run through the form on each device and submit a response. Then check that the response data is captured in Google Forms’ back end as expected.

WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: What to check before embedding

Before you follow the previous steps, check which version of WordPress you’re on: WordPress.com or WordPress.org. The two are quite different, and WordPress.com has restrictions that may stop some users from embedding Google Forms.

WordPress.com plan limitations

Embedding Google Docs and Google Forms is limited to paid WordPress.com plans. According to WordPress.com’s support documentation, this embed feature is available on Personal, Premium, Business, and Commerce plans. Free sites can’t use it.

Your options are to upgrade your WordPress.com plan or switch to a form tool that doesn’t have this restriction.

If your forms aren’t embedding on your website, this is the first issue to troubleshoot. Find out which version of WordPress you’re on and whether or not you’re paying for it.

Here’s a complete guide on how to embed a Jotform on WordPress.com.

Self-hosted WordPress.org sites

Self-hosted WordPress (WordPress.org) doesn’t have limitations. Because you control the hosting environment, you can paste custom HTML into any page or post without hitting platform-level restrictions. 

The Custom HTML block works immediately on WordPress.org, but you can also install plug-ins if you prefer. For example, Jotform’s plug-in contains a WordPress Embed Form integration, making embedding a Jotform easy. 

If you’re on a self-hosted site, the steps in the previous section should work, with no extra considerations.

Here’s a complete guide on how to embed your Jotform in WordPress using a plug-in.

Better WordPress forms start with Jotform

Google Forms gets the job done for simple data collection, but it has limitations when embedding in WordPress. Plus, Google forms are only customizable to a point. A Google form will always have the look and feel of Google’s product. 

Jotform’s WordPress form solution is the best Google Forms alternative. It offers better WordPress embed options, and you can customize the form entirely. Your form will look and feel like your brand, not like Google.

Here are some benefits of Jotform:

• Better-looking forms: Jotform’s drag-and-drop form builder gives you full control over layout, fonts, colors, and styling. Your embedded form can match your site and brand exactly, rather than looking like it belongs somewhere else.
• More customization: Jotform offers multipage forms, hundreds of widgets, custom confirmation pages, and conditional logic that shows or hides fields based on a respondent’s previous answers. Google Forms doesn’t offer this level of flexibility.
• Payment collection built in: Jotform integrates directly with Stripe, PayPal, Square, and other payment processors so you can collect payments, donations, or booking fees through the same form.
• Two ways to embed in WordPress: You can embed a Jotform directly using the Custom HTML block, the same way you’d embed a Google Form. Or you can use the Jotform WordPress Embed Form plug-in, which lets you insert and manage forms without touching any code. From the Form Builder, go to Publish → Platforms → WordPress and copy the shortcode, then drop it into a shortcode block in the Gutenberg editor or paste it directly into the classic editor.
• Works on free WordPress.com sites: Unlike Google Forms, Jotform embeds on free WordPress.com sites without requiring a plan upgrade.

Use Google Forms for simple embeds, Jotform for better WordPress form workflows

Google Forms is a reasonable choice if you need a simple, one-time form embedded on a page and aren’t too concerned about how it looks or what it can do. The embed process is straightforward if you’re paying for WordPress.

Looking for the best alternative to Google Forms?

Jotform’s full-featured form-building solution is mobile-friendly and has the most integrations in the industry. Use it to collect payments, automate workflows, gather leads, and more.

Migrate Forms to Jotform

or

Start From Scratch

If you want a form that feels like part of your site, or if you need advanced functionality, such as payments, advanced logic, or a more manageable workflow, Jotform is the solution. It’s free to try, and you can embed a form on any WordPress page in minutes.