How to Easily Embed Iframe Code in WordPress (3 Methods)

Want to embed a YouTube video, Google Map, or social media post into your WordPress site? Iframes are a simple yet powerful way to insert all kinds of content from other websites into your WordPress posts and pages.

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In this guide, you‘ll learn exactly how to embed iframe code in WordPress using three different methods:

Using the source website‘s pre-made embed code
Using a user-friendly WordPress iframe plugin
Manually adding iframe HTML code

Over 81% of websites use embedded content like iframes, objects, and embeds according to HTTPArchive. So this is an important skill to master as a WordPress user!

I‘ll walk you through each method step-by-step so you can start embedding iframes like a pro. Plus, I‘ll share some insider tips for making sure your iframes look great and function well on all devices. Let‘s get started!

What Is an Iframe and Why Use It in WordPress?

First, a quick definition. An iframe (short for "inline frame") is an HTML element that lets you embed an entire web page within another page. It‘s essentially a window from one site into another.

Benefits of using iframes in WordPress include:

🎥 Embedding videos, maps, docs, and other interactive content
💾 Saving hosting space by not uploading media files directly
⌛ Content automatically updates when changed on the source site
©️ Avoiding potential copyright issues from re-hosting content

When used strategically, iframes are an excellent way to create a richer, more engaging experience for your WordPress site visitors.

Downsides of Iframes to Consider

Now, iframes aren‘t always the best solution. A few drawbacks to keep in mind:

Some sites block iframe embedding to prevent content theft
Iframes can slow down page load speed if the source site is slow
Iframe content may not scale well on small screens without extra code

But in many cases, the pros outweigh the cons. When you have a legitimate reason to embed external content, iframes are a handy tool to have in your WordPress toolbox.

Method 1: Use Pre-Made Embed Codes

The quickest and easiest way to embed an iframe is to use the embed code provided by the source website (if available). Many popular media sites like YouTube and Google Maps have an "Embed" option that generates an iframe code snippet you can copy and paste.

Here‘s how to do it:

Find the content you want to embed and look for a "Share" or "Embed" button. This is often located near the media player or in a ⋮ options menu.
Copy the provided embed code. It should look something like this:

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dQw4w9WgXcQ" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

In your WordPress dashboard, edit or create a new post/page and add a "Custom HTML" block where you want the embedded content to appear.
Paste the embed code into the HTML block. No need to modify it in most cases!
Save/publish the post or page and view it to make sure the iframe loads correctly.

And that‘s it! Embedding an iframe with a pre-made code snippet is usually just a simple matter of copying and pasting.

Tips for Using Embed Codes

Always copy the entire code snippet, including the opening and closing <iframe> tags.
Check for options to customize the embed before copying the code. For example, YouTube lets you specify the start time, player size, and privacy settings.
Avoid modifying the core embed URL in the src attribute unless you know what you‘re doing. This could break the embed.
Iframes can be finicky with different WordPress builders and themes. If the embed isn‘t working right, try adding it in a plain text/HTML editor instead.

Method 2: Use a WordPress Iframe Plugin

If the site you want to embed from doesn‘t provide a pre-made code snippet, or if you need more customization options, using a WordPress iframe plugin is the next best method.

There are several iframe plugins available, but I recommend IframeX by atarimtr. It‘s a free, user-friendly plugin that makes iframe embedding a breeze. Here‘s how to use it:

Install and activate the IframeX plugin from the WordPress plugin directory.
Edit or create a new post/page and add an "IframeX" block where you want the embedded content.
Paste the URL of the page you want to embed into the URL field. The content should automatically populate in the preview area.
Use the size tool below the preview to adjust the width and height of the iframe to your desired dimensions. You can specify pixels or percentages.
Click "Advanced Settings" to add custom CSS classes, set lazy loading, enable auto-resize, and more. Most of the time the default settings work great though!
Save/publish the post or page and check the front end to confirm the iframe is working as expected.

IframeX supports embedding from any URL, so you can use it for embedding all kinds of content beyond the usual suspects like YouTube and Google Maps.

Tips for Using IframeX

If the source page is taller than the iframe, visitors will have to scroll the iframe to see all the content. Consider enabling the "Auto resize height" option to avoid this.
Use the CSS class option to target the iframe with your theme‘s stylesheet for even more customization control.
Lazy loading improves performance by only loading iframes when they‘re in view. This is turned on by default and is recommended in most cases.
Check the iframe on different devices to make sure it‘s responsive and not causing any layout issues. You may need to use percentages for width/height on smaller screens.

Method 3: Manually Code the Iframe in HTML

If you‘re comfortable working in HTML, manually adding an iframe is another option. This gives you the most control over the embed code and doesn‘t require installing a plugin.

Here‘s a basic iframe code template you can use:

<iframe src="https://example.com/embed-url" width="100%" height="450"></iframe>

Just replace https://example.com/embed-url with the actual URL you want to embed between the quotation marks.

To add this code in WordPress:

Edit or create a post/page and add a "Custom HTML" block.
Paste your modified iframe code into the block.
Adjust the width and height values in pixels or percentages to control the iframe size. I recommend percentages for responsive sizing.
Save/publish and test! Make sure the iframe displays and functions as intended.

Tips for Using HTML Iframes

Always include the width and height attributes to prevent layout shifts as the iframe loads in.
For pages taller than the iframe, add scrolling="no" to hide scrollbars inside the iframe. This forces visitors to scroll the main page instead.
To allow full-screen viewing (e.g. for video embeds), add an allowfullscreen attribute.
If the iframe is wider than its parent container, add max-width: 100% in the style attribute to make it responsive.
Alignment issues? Try wrapping the iframe in a <div> and applying flexbox or CSS grid styles to the parent div.

Iframe Alternatives for WordPress

In some cases, an iframe may not be the best way to embed something in WordPress. Here are a couple alternatives worth considering:

oEmbed

WordPress has built-in support for a protocol called oEmbed that allows you to embed content from other sites by simply pasting the URL into your post or page. No extra code needed!

WordPress automatically fetches the embed code from the source site and renders it as an embedded object. This works for popular platforms like:

YouTube
Twitter
Instagram
Vimeo
Flickr
Imgur
Kickstarter
WordPress.tv

And many more. See the full list of oEmbed providers in the WordPress Codex.

Not all sites support oEmbed, so it‘s not a universal solution. But when it works, it‘s even simpler than using an iframe embed code.

Social Media & Specialty Embed Plugins

For embedding social media feeds, videos, and other specialized content, a dedicated embed plugin is often the best choice.

Unlike generic iframe plugins, these specialty plugins are optimized for specific platforms and offer more customization options and features. Some of the best social embed plugins for WordPress include:

Smash Balloon – Custom feeds for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube
Custom Twitter Feeds – Customizable, responsive Twitter feeds
Spotlighter – Interactive Instagram feeds and story embeds
Elfsight Embed – All-in-one solution for 80+ platforms

These plugins make it easy to create custom embedded feeds that match your site design and offer engaging features like lightbox views, carousels, filtering, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before we wrap up, let‘s address some common questions about iframes and WordPress:

Are iframes bad for SEO?

No, iframes are not inherently bad for SEO. Google and other search engines can crawl and index content inside iframes. However, keep in mind that iframe content is attributed to the source site, not your site. So it won‘t directly help your site‘s keyword rankings.

As long as the iframe content is relevant and useful for visitors, it should not have any negative effects on your SEO. In fact, embedding high-quality content can improve dwell time and engagement, which are positive ranking factors.

Do iframes work on mobile devices?

Yes, iframes work on mobile devices, but they can cause some usability and responsive design issues if not implemented properly. Tips for mobile-friendly iframes include:

Use relative (%) instead of fixed (px) sizes
Enable automatic resizing if possible (e.g. with iFrameX plugin)
Avoid placing iframes near the edge of a responsive container
Test thoroughly on real mobile devices, not just resized desktop browsers

Even with these optimizations, small-screen users may still have to pinch-zoom or scroll inside the iframe. For mission-critical embeds, consider a mobile-specific embed plugin instead.

Start Using Iframes in WordPress Today

Iframes are a versatile way to embed almost any kind of web content into your WordPress posts and pages. Whether you‘re embedding videos, maps, documents, or something else, one of these three methods should have you covered:

Use the source site‘s pre-made embed code
Use the IframeX plugin
Manually code the iframe in HTML

Each approach has its own benefits and considerations, so choose the one that aligns best with your needs and skill level.

To recap, here are some WordPress iframe best practices:

✅ Use HTTPS iframe URLs on HTTPS pages for security
✅ Specify width and height to maintain layout on page load
✅ Enable lazy loading for better front-end performance
✅ Use relative sizing (%) to support responsive design
✅ Provide descriptive title text for accessibility
✅ Test thoroughly on target devices and screen sizes

With these tips in mind, you‘re ready to start embedding iframes in WordPress like a pro!

If you found this guide helpful, please consider sharing it with your network. And if you have any other questions about iframes or WordPress embeds, feel free to get in touch – I‘m always happy to chat.