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iCal Generator Generate iCalendar (.ics) files for events with date, time, and location.

iCal Generator illustration
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iCal Generator

Generate iCalendar (.ics) files for events with date, time, and location.

1

Enter event details

Enter title, date, time, location, and description.

2

Generate .ics file

Click Generate to create the iCal content.

3

Download or share

Download the .ics file or copy the content.

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What Is iCal Generator?

A iCal Generator is a software application that creates iCalendar (.ics) files following the RFC 5545 standard, allowing users to generate calendar events compatible with various applications like Google Calendar and Apple Calendar. It is primarily used by event organizers, administrators, and individuals who need to create and share calendar events. One specific problem it solves is the tedious process of manually formatting .ics files, which can lead to errors and inconsistencies.

The tool's user base includes anyone who needs to create calendar events, from simple meetings to complex conferences. It solves the issue of manually crafting icalendar files by providing an intuitive interface for entering event details such as title, date, time, location, and description.

What makes this iCal Generator different is its ability to support both timed events and all-day events, with customizable start and end dates/times, allowing users to create ics files tailored to their specific needs. For instance, it features a checkbox for specifying all-day events, which automatically adjusts the date format in the generated .ics file. Additionally, the tool allows users to copy the generated iCal output or download it as an .ics file, making it easy to integrate with existing calendar systems and use as a create ics file solution or even an icalendar generator for generating multiple events. This flexibility makes it a useful calendar event generator for managing complex schedules.

Why Use iCal Generator?

  • RFC 5545 compliant .ics file generation.
  • Compatible with all major calendar apps (Google, Apple, Outlook).
  • Supports both timed events and all-day events.
  • Download as .ics file or copy the raw content.

Common Use Cases

Event Invitations

Create .ics files for event invitations that recipients can add to their calendars.

Conference Planning

Generate calendar entries for conference sessions and meetings.

Automated Scheduling

Create .ics files programmatically for calendar integration in web applications.

Reminder Creation

Generate calendar events for deadlines, appointments, and reminders.

Technical Guide

The generator creates iCalendar format following RFC 5545. The output includes VCALENDAR and VEVENT components with standard properties:

- DTSTART/DTEND: Event start and end times. For all-day events, VALUE=DATE parameter is used.
- SUMMARY: Event title with iCal character escaping (semicolons, commas, backslashes, newlines).
- DESCRIPTION: Event description with the same escaping.
- LOCATION: Event location.
- UID: Unique identifier generated from timestamp and random string.
- DTSTAMP: Timestamp of when the .ics file was created.

Date-time values use the iCal format: YYYYMMDDTHHMMSS. Line endings use CRLF (\r\n) as required by the specification.

The generated .ics file uses the PUBLISH method, meaning it's a published event (not a meeting request requiring responses).

Tips & Best Practices

  • 1
    Title and start date are required — all other fields are optional.
  • 2
    If no end date is set, it defaults to the start date.
  • 3
    All-day events use DATE format without time components.
  • 4
    The .ics file can be attached to emails as a calendar invitation.

Related Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

Q Which calendar apps support .ics files?
Virtually all: Google Calendar, Apple Calendar (iCal), Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird, and most other calendar applications.
Q Can I create recurring events?
The current version generates single events. Recurring event support (RRULE) may be added in the future.
Q How do time zones work with .ics files?
Times are generated in local format without timezone specification. For timezone-specific events, the VTIMEZONE component would need to be added manually.
Q Can I add attendees?
The current version creates published events without attendee management. Add ATTENDEE properties manually if needed.
Q Is the output RFC 5545 compliant?
Yes, the generated .ics file follows the RFC 5545 iCalendar specification.

About This Tool

iCal Generator is a free online tool by FreeToolkit.ai. All processing happens directly in your browser — your data never leaves your device. No registration or installation required.