How to create a group calendar on Google
· March 1, 2024 · 3 min read · Updated July 21, 2026 
Planning a group's schedule can be tough. A group calendar helps with this. It lets members see, add, and change events easily. We'll show you how to make a group calendar on Google. We'll also suggest another option that might work better for you.
Create a group in Google
For groups, you'll need to first create a Google group.
For families, you'll need to first create a Family group.
Create your group calendar
Now you've created your group, head to Google Calendar.
Once you're there, on the left click "Other Calendars" and then "Create new calendar".
You'll want to give your calendar a name, and then click "Create Calendar".
Share your group calendar
You can share your calendar with an organisation, or a specific group of people.
To share it in Google Calendar, on the left, click the name of your new calendar.
- Click the name of your new calendar.
- Click More, and then "Settings & Sharing".
- In the Permissions box, choose your sharing option.
- Then, click "Send".
Members will then receive email notifications with invitations.
There's a couple of drawbacks to sharing group calendars in Google Calendar:
- Some find the set-up is lengthy and technical.
- Notifications get buried in your inbox.
- Updates are outside your conversations.
- Your data is not end-to-end encrypted.
OurCal is the simpler, privacy-first alternative.
Create a group calendar in OurCal
- Try OurCal for free - download on the App Store or Google Play
- Name your group, give it a custom emoji, and tap "Create"
- Invite members with the group's unique invite link
- Instantly share events and create custom group calendars
Google Calendar or a Dedicated Group Calendar?
Google Calendar is free and familiar, and for a simple shared calendar it does the job. Where it starts to strain is exactly where group life gets busy.
- Set-up: creating a group, a calendar, and the right sharing permissions takes several steps. A dedicated group calendar is usually a single invite link.
- Staying in the loop: Google sends changes as emails that are easy to miss. A purpose-built group app keeps updates and chat next to the event they belong to.
- Privacy: Google Calendar is not end-to-end encrypted, so the contents of your calendar are readable on the server. OurCal encrypts every calendar, event, and message by default.
- Cost: both can be free to start. OurCal keeps it simple with one subscription that covers the whole group rather than a charge per person.
If you only need a bare shared calendar, Google is fine. If you want the group to actually stay coordinated, a dedicated group calendar is worth the switch.
Group Calendar FAQs
Can I make a shared group calendar for free?
Yes. Google Calendar lets you create and share a calendar for free, and you can try OurCal for free too, with one Group Subscription covering everyone once you subscribe.
Is a Google group calendar private?
Only up to a point. Google Calendar is not end-to-end encrypted, so its contents can be read on Google's servers. If privacy matters, choose a calendar that is End-to-End Encrypted by default.
What is the easiest way to share a calendar with a group?
An invite link is the quickest route. In OurCal you name your group, then share its unique link, and members join without swapping email addresses or setting permissions.
Conclusion
Making a group calendar can make everyday life much simpler.
Unfortunately, creating a group calendar in Google involves a complex set up and your data is not end-to-end encrypted.
OurCal takes minutes to set up and is incredibly simple for members to join. It also gives you the peace of mind that your data - and everyone else's - is protected with end-to-end encryption.
