Free ICS File Viewer

What are iCal files & how to access them?

iCal (or ICS) files are calendar files that follow the iCalendar standard format. They contain calendar event information including event details, schedules, attendees, and other metadata. These files allow users to share calendar information across different calendar applications. Learn more about what ICS files are and how they work.

iCal files can be exported from almost any calendar application such as Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, and more. When you receive a calendar invitation via email, it often includes an attached .ics file (commonly named invite.ics or meeting.ics) that you can add to your calendar app. With this iCal viewer tool, you can preview the content of these calendar files without importing them into your calendar application.

How to open iCal files?

To open an iCal file, you can use calendar applications like Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, or other calendar apps. These applications can open and import iCal files directly, adding events to your calendar. Alternatively, you can use this free iCal viewer tool to simply view the contents of iCal files without adding them to your calendar.

Add iCal events to Google Calendar or Outlook

Once you open an ICS file, each event shows buttons to add it directly to Google Calendar or Outlook with a single click — no need to import the entire file. You can also generate a QR code for any event so it can be scanned and saved from a mobile device.

Security and Privacy

We do not store any of the calendar files you upload to this tool. The calendar data is parsed and displayed in your browser only. If you have any concerns about privacy or security, you can read our privacy policy for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I open an ICS file on Windows?

On Windows, double-click an ICS file to open it in the Calendar app or Outlook, which will import the events. To preview the file contents first without importing, drop it into this free ICS viewer.

How do I open an ICS file on Mac?

On Mac, double-click an ICS file to import its events into the Calendar app. To view the contents without importing, use this free online ICS file viewer.

How do I open an ICS file on iPhone or Android?

On iPhone, tap an ICS file to open it with the Calendar app, which will prompt you to add the events. On Android, tap the file to open it in Google Calendar or your default calendar app. To preview the file first, drop it into this free ICS viewer.

How do I add an ICS file to Google Calendar?

Open the ICS file in this viewer, then click Add to Google Calendar on any event to add it directly. Alternatively, in Google Calendar go to Settings → Import & Export → Import and upload the ICS file.

What is the difference between .ics and .ical files?

Nothing — .ics, .ical, and .icalendar are all the same iCalendar format. The .ics extension is by far the most common. All three can be opened with the same calendar apps and viewers.

What is invite.ics?

invite.ics is a calendar invitation file attached to a meeting request email. When someone sends a calendar invite from Google Calendar, Outlook, or any other calendar app, the invitation is bundled as a file named invite.ics. Drop it into this viewer to see the event details — date, time, location, attendees — before deciding whether to accept.

What is meeting.ics?

meeting.ics is the same thing as invite.ics — a calendar event file attached to a meeting request. The filename varies by the sender's calendar app (Outlook often uses meeting.ics, Google Calendar uses invite.ics), but both are standard ICS files and can be opened with this viewer or any calendar application.