How to embed a countdown in your website
If you use content management or blogging software such as Blogger, WordPress, Drupal or similar, you must ensure you are editing your content in HTML mode when you paste the embed code.
Embedding countdown widgets from CountingDownTo.com is very similar to embedding a video from a website such as YouTube.com. On CountingDownTo.com, locate the countdown that you want to embed by clicking "My countdowns" then clicking the name of the countdown you want to embed. Alternatively you can create a new countdown widget by clicking "New countdown". Below the countdown you will see a button labeled "Embed on your site". Click it. Some html code will be displayed below the button. The code will look something like the screen shot below. Copy the code and paste it into your website or blog.
If you have followed the instructions on this page but are still unable to embed your countdown, please contact us for assistance.
Which platforms can embed a live countdown?
Most sites that let you paste custom HTML or an iframe URL will show your countdown live and ticking. A few page-builder and design tools block iframes entirely. Here's what we've hands-on verified:
| Platform | Live countdown? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress (self-hosted) | Yes | Add a Custom HTML block in the block editor and paste the embed code. Or use our WordPress plugin when it ships. |
| WordPress.com | Plan-dependent | Free plans strip iframes. Paid plans need "hosting features" activated before custom HTML works. More info. |
| Squarespace | Yes (Business plan+) | Add a Code block and paste the embed code. Requires a Business plan or higher. |
| Wix | Yes | Use the Embed HTML element. Set the iframe width and height to match your countdown so it doesn't clip or show scrollbars. |
| Google Sites | Yes | Use Insert → Embed and paste the embed code or iframe URL. |
| Shopify | Yes (with caveat) | Works via theme Custom Liquid or custom HTML sections. Does not work in product descriptions (Shopify strips iframes there). |
| Notion | Yes |
Type /embed
and paste your countdown's direct /w4/
link (not the regular share link).
|
| Canva | No | Canva does not support iframes or live external embeds. This is a Canva limitation, not something you're doing wrong. |
| Blogger, Drupal, Weebly, Joomla! | Yes | Paste the embed code as custom/raw HTML — see the platform-specific instructions below. |
| Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube | No | These platforms don't allow third-party iframe embeds. Share a link to your published countdown page instead. |
| Email clients | No (use GIF) | Email clients block iframes. Use our email GIF countdown instead. |
Embed a countdown in WordPress
Self-hosted WordPress: In the block editor, add a Custom HTML block (+ → search "Custom HTML") and paste the embed code we gave you. The countdown won't appear in the editor preview — publish or preview the page to see it.
WordPress.com: Free WordPress.com sites do not support iframes (more info). On paid plans you must enable hosting features before the Custom HTML block will render iframes. We'll update this page when our WordPress plugin ships.
Classic editor users: If you still use the old Visual/HTML editor, select HTML (not Visual) before pasting. For the block editor, this video walks through the Custom HTML approach:
Embed a countdown in Squarespace
Squarespace requires a Business plan or higher to embed custom code. Edit your page, click + to add a block, search for Code, and paste the embed code into the Code block. Save and preview — the countdown should tick live on your published page.
Embed a countdown in Wix
In the Wix editor, click + Add Elements → Embed Code → Embed HTML. Paste the embed code and click Update.
Important — iframe sizing:
If the countdown is clipped or shows scrollbars, open the embed element's settings and set the width and height to match the dimensions in your embed code (typically the same width and height as the
<iframe>
tag). Wix does not always auto-size embedded iframes.
Watch a short video showing how to add a countdown to Wix.
Embed a countdown in Google Sites
While editing your site, click Insert → Embed. Choose Embed code and paste the embed code we provided. Adjust the embed box size on the page so the full countdown is visible.
Embed a countdown in Shopify
Add the embed code to a Custom Liquid section or a custom HTML block in your theme (Online Store → Themes → Customize → Add section). The countdown will display live on pages where you place it.
Product descriptions do not work: Shopify strips iframe HTML from product descriptions — this is a platform restriction, not a CountingDownTo limitation. Use a landing page, collection description, or a custom page section instead.
Embed a countdown in Notion
On any Notion page, type /embed
and press Enter. Paste your countdown's direct link (the /w4/
URL from the embed panel, not the regular share link). Notion will iframe just the countdown widget.
Canva — not currently possible
Canva's website and design editor do not support iframe embeds or live external widgets. Pasting our embed code or link will not produce a ticking countdown. If Canva adds iframe or external-URL image support in the future, we'll update this page.
Embed a countdown in Blogger
Ensure that you select "Edit HTML" NOT "Compose" before you paste the embed code into your Blogger blog. Remember that the countdown will not appear while you are editing your post. It will only appear when you publish or preview your post.
Embed a countdown in Drupal
Ensure that you select "Full HTML" in the "Input format" settings before you paste the embed code into your Drupal site. Remember that the countdown will not appear while you are editing your page. It will only appear when you save or preview your page.
Embed a countdown in Weebly
Use the Custom HTML element to embed the countdown widget in your Weebly site.
Embed a countdown in Joomla!
See these instructions for embedding a countdown in Joomla!
Joomla's default TinyMCE editor may strip or rewrite iframe tags when you save. If the countdown doesn't appear, try disabling the WYSIWYG editor for that article, or use the Mod HTML module to place the embed code directly.
Platforms that do not support iframe embeds
The following platforms cannot display a live iframe countdown, no matter which embed code you use:
- Facebook — share a link to your published countdown page instead.
- WhatsApp — share a link; WhatsApp does not render embedded HTML.
- YouTube — YouTube channel pages and video descriptions don't support third-party iframes.
- Email clients — Gmail, Outlook, Mailchimp, and other email apps block iframes for security. Use our email GIF countdown feature instead — it produces an animated image that works in virtually every email client.