Syncing your Notion calendar with Google Calendar lets you see events from both platforms in one place. Many users want a two-way sync so changes in Notion appear in Google Calendar and vice versa. Notion does not offer a native two-way sync for Google Calendar. This article explains the available methods to connect the two calendars, including the official Notion integration for one-way sync and a third-party automation tool for a more complete two-way setup.
Key Takeaways: Syncing Notion Calendar with Google Calendar
- Notion Google Calendar Integration: Embeds a Google Calendar view inside Notion but does not sync Notion events back to Google.
- Zapier two-way sync: Automates event creation between Notion databases and Google Calendar for a more complete sync.
- Notion Calendar app (Cron): Offers a dedicated calendar view with Google Calendar integration but still lacks full two-way sync.
Understanding Notion Calendar and Google Calendar Sync Options
Notion does not have a built-in two-way sync with Google Calendar. The official Notion Google Calendar integration only allows you to embed a read-only view of your Google Calendar inside a Notion page. This means you can see your Google events in Notion, but you cannot create or edit events in Notion and have them appear in Google Calendar.
The newly released Notion Calendar app, based on the acquired Cron app, provides a dedicated calendar interface. This app can connect to your Google Calendar account and display your Google events alongside Notion database items that have date properties. However, this integration is still one-way for Google events: changes made in Google Calendar appear in Notion Calendar, but changes made in Notion Calendar to Google events do not sync back to Google Calendar. For Notion database items, you can create and edit events in Notion Calendar, and those changes are reflected in the original Notion database.
For a true two-way sync, you need a third-party automation tool like Zapier or Make. These tools can watch for new events in Google Calendar and create corresponding items in a Notion database, and vice versa. This method requires some setup but gives you the most control over how your calendars stay in sync.
Method 1: Using the Notion Google Calendar Integration (One-Way Embed)
This method is the simplest and is built into Notion. It embeds a live view of your Google Calendar inside a Notion page. Use this if you only need to see your Google events while working in Notion and do not need to edit them from Notion.
- Open the Notion page where you want the calendar
Navigate to the page where you want the embedded Google Calendar to appear. - Type /embed and select Embed
In the page body, type a forward slash and then typeembed. Select the Embed block from the menu. - Paste your Google Calendar embed link
Go to your Google Calendar settings. Under Settings for my calendars, select the calendar you want to embed. Copy the embed code from the Integrate calendar section. Paste that link into the Notion embed block and click Embed link. - Adjust the display size
Drag the handles on the embedded block to resize it. You can also click the block and use the gear icon to change the view (day, week, month).
Method 2: Using the Notion Calendar App (Cron)
The Notion Calendar app provides a more integrated calendar experience. It connects to your Google Calendar and shows your Notion database items with date properties in the same view. This method is best if you want a unified calendar view and are comfortable with the current sync limitations.
- Download and install Notion Calendar
Visit the Notion Calendar website and download the app for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux). - Sign in with your Notion account
Launch the app and sign in using the same Notion account that has the databases you want to display. - Connect your Google Calendar
Click your profile picture in the top-right corner, then select Settings. Under Calendar, click Add Google Calendar account. Follow the prompts to authorize the connection. - Select which calendars to show
After connecting, you can choose which of your Google Calendars to display. You can also toggle visibility for each calendar. - Add Notion databases with date properties
In the Notion Calendar app, click Add Notion Calendar and select a database that has a date property. Events from that database will appear in the calendar view.
Method 3: Setting Up a Two-Way Sync with Zapier
Zapier is a third-party automation tool that can create a two-way sync between a Notion database and Google Calendar. This method requires a Zapier account and may require a paid plan depending on usage. Use this if you need changes in Notion to appear in Google Calendar and changes in Google Calendar to appear in Notion.
- Create a Zapier account and log in
Go to zapier.com and sign up. You can start with a free plan, which allows a limited number of tasks per month. - Create a new Zap for Google Calendar to Notion
Click Create Zap. Set the trigger app to Google Calendar and the trigger event to New Event. Connect your Google Calendar account and select the calendar to watch. - Set up the Notion action
For the action app, choose Notion and select the action event Create Database Item. Connect your Notion account and select the target database. Map the fields from Google Calendar (event title, start time, end time, description) to the corresponding properties in your Notion database. - Create a second Zap for Notion to Google Calendar
Repeat the process but reverse the trigger and action. Set the trigger to Notion with the event New Database Item. Set the action to Google Calendar with the event Create Detailed Event. Map the Notion properties to Google Calendar fields. - Test both Zaps
Create a test event in Google Calendar and verify it appears in Notion. Then create a test item in the Notion database and verify it appears in Google Calendar.
Common Sync Issues and Limitations
Embedded Google Calendar shows an empty box
If the embedded Google Calendar shows a blank area, the embed link may be incorrect or the calendar is private. Make sure you are using the embed link from Google Calendar settings, not the public URL. Also ensure the calendar is set to public or shared with the correct permissions.
Notion Calendar app does not show Google events
After connecting your Google Calendar in Notion Calendar, events may not appear immediately. Try refreshing the app by pressing F5 in the desktop app or restarting it. Also check that you have selected the correct Google Calendars in the settings.
Zapier sync creates duplicate events
If a new event in Google Calendar creates a duplicate in Notion, your Zap may be triggering on existing events. In the Zap trigger setup, use the option to only trigger on new events after the Zap is turned on. Also check that you are not running multiple Zaps that watch the same calendar.
Notion Calendar Methods Compared
| Feature | Embedded Google Calendar | Notion Calendar App | Zapier Two-Way Sync |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sync direction | One-way (Google to Notion) | One-way (Google to Notion, Notion DB to calendar) | Two-way |
| Edit events from Notion | No | Only Notion database events | Yes |
| Setup complexity | Low | Medium | High |
| Cost | Free | Free | Free tier limited; paid plans start at $19.99/month |
| Best for | Viewing Google events in Notion | Unified calendar view with limited editing | Full event management across both platforms |
Each method serves a different need. The embedded view is quick and free. The Notion Calendar app offers a more integrated experience with some editing capability. Zapier gives you full control but requires a paid plan for regular use.
To decide which method to use, start with the Notion Calendar app if you want a combined view. If you need two-way sync, set up Zapier with the two Zaps described above. For a simple read-only view, the embed method works well.
An advanced tip: In Zapier, use the Filter by Zap step to prevent syncing events that contain specific keywords, such as private appointments. This keeps your Notion database clean and avoids unnecessary clutter.