Calendly Embed Optimization: Styling, Responsiveness, and Event Handling

Scenario / Question

I’m embedding Calendly in a custom web app and need help with three things: styling the widget to match my brand, ensuring it resizes well on smaller screens, and listening for events (like when someone schedules) so I can run custom code.

Overview

• Color Customization: You can customize embed colors via URL parameters, but broader CSS (like fonts) isn’t supported.
• Responsiveness: Use the built-in auto-resize behavior by enabling the resize option on inline embeds.
• Event Listening: Subscribe to postMessage events that the embedded scheduling page sends to the parent window to run custom code.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Choose an Embed Type
   • Decide between a landing page, event type page, or routing form.
   • All support the responsive inline embed with resizing.
2. Customize Colors in the URL
   • Use supported URL parameters to change colors on the booking page.
   • Other CSS (like fonts) cannot be overridden.
   • See the embed options guide referenced in the community answer.
3. Add an Inline Embed with Auto-Resize (Automatic Embed)
   • Set the data-resize attribute to true on the standard inline embed.
   • The parent element automatically resizes based on content and scrolls into view when needed.
   • Expected result: The iframe height adjusts as the booking flow changes, improving mobile/small-screen UX.
4. Add an Inline Embed with Auto-Resize (Advanced Embed)
   • If you use Calendly.initInlineWidget(), pass resize: true in the options object.
   • Expected result: The embed adjusts its height during the flow without manual calculations.
5. Ensure Required URL Parameters Are Present
   • The embed must include embed_domain and embed_type=Inline in the URL for resize messages to be sent.
   • widget.js normally adds these automatically; you can also include them yourself.
   • Expected result: The embedded page posts resize messages to the parent window.

Key Notes & Limitations

• Color customization is supported via URL parameters.
• Fonts and broader CSS (including overriding Proxima Nova) are not supported via custom CSS.
• Auto-resize applies to inline embeds and requires the resize option to be enabled.
• Resizing and event notifications rely on messages from the embedded page; ensure embed_domain and embed_type=Inline are present.

Related Questions (FAQ)

Q: Does auto-resize work for routing forms and event type pages?
A: Yes. Auto-resize applies to landing pages, event type pages, and Calendly routing forms when using inline embeds with resize enabled.

Q: Do I have to add embed_domain and embed_type manually?
A: Not usually. widget.js adds them automatically, but you can include them if you’re building a custom implementation.

Links & Resources

• How to customize your embed