How to Add a Link to a PDF (Free Methods)
2 min read
Learn how to add clickable links to a PDF for free. Step-by-step methods for creating shareable PDF links without paid software.
There are two common things people mean by "adding a link to a PDF" - making a PDF accessible via a URL, or adding clickable hyperlinks inside a PDF document. This guide covers both.
Method 1: Turn Your PDF into a Shareable Link
The fastest way to create a link for your PDF:
- Go to Linkyhost PDF Link Generator
- Upload your PDF file
- Copy the generated URL
- Share it anywhere
Your PDF is now accessible to anyone with the link. No software installation needed.
Method 2: Add Clickable Links Inside a PDF
If you want to embed hyperlinks within the PDF content itself, here are free options:
Using Google Docs
- Open Google Docs and create or import your document
- Highlight the text you want to link
- Press Ctrl+K (Cmd+K on Mac) and paste your URL
- Download the document as a PDF - the links will be preserved
Using LibreOffice (Free Desktop App)
- Open your document in LibreOffice Writer
- Select the text to hyperlink
- Go to Insert > Hyperlink
- Enter the target URL and click Apply
- Export as PDF via File > Export as PDF
Using Online PDF Editors
Several free online tools let you add links to existing PDFs:
- Smallpdf
- PDFescape
- Sejda
Tips for PDF Links
- Test your links - Always open the exported PDF and click each link to verify it works
- Use descriptive anchor text - "View our pricing" is better than "click here"
- Keep URLs short - Long URLs can break in some PDF viewers. Use a URL shortener if needed
- Add a QR code - For printed PDFs, include a QR code so readers can access links from their phone
Share Your PDF Online
Once your PDF has the links you need, upload it to Linkyhost to get a free shareable URL that works on any device.