Creating a Zoom link takes two minutes and requires only a Zoom account
To create a Zoom link, sign into your Zoom account on a computer or phone, go to the Meetings section, and click the button to schedule a new meeting. Zoom generates a unique meeting link automatically — you do not have to build anything yourself. You then copy that link and send it to whoever you want to invite. The link works the same way whether you schedule the meeting days in advance or create it minutes before you need it.
The process is the same whether you have a free Zoom account or a paid one. Free accounts can host meetings with up to 100 participants for up to 40 minutes. Paid accounts remove the 40-minute limit and add features like recording and larger group sizes. For most people creating a link to share with a few coworkers or friends, the free account is sufficient.
Key Takeaways
- Sign into your Zoom account, navigate to Meetings, and select Schedule a New Meeting to generate a link automatically.
- Copy the meeting link from the confirmation screen and send it to invitees through email, text, or any messaging platform.
- You can set a start time when you schedule, or create a link for an immediate meeting that stays active until you end it.
- Free Zoom accounts generate working links with no payment required, though meetings are limited to 40 minutes with three or more participants.
How to schedule a meeting on a computer
Open your web browser and go to zoom.us. Sign in with your email and password. Once you are logged in, look for the navigation menu on the left side of the screen — you will see an option labeled Meetings. Click it.
On the Meetings page, click the blue button labeled Schedule a New Meeting. A form will appear asking for basic details: the meeting topic (the name of your meeting), the date and time you want it to start, and how long you expect it to last. Fill in these fields. If you want the meeting to start right now instead of at a scheduled time, toggle the option that says Start Time and select Start Now.
Scroll down and you will see additional options like whether to require a password, whether to record the meeting, and whether to send a calendar invitation. These are optional — you can leave them at their default settings if you are just starting out. Click Schedule at the bottom of the form. Zoom will generate your meeting link and show it on a confirmation screen. Copy the link by clicking the copy icon next to it, or highlight and copy it manually.
How to create a meeting link on a phone
Open the Zoom app on your phone and sign in if you are not already logged in. Tap the Schedule button at the bottom of the screen (on iPhone) or look for a plus icon or menu option (on Android). A form will appear similar to the one on the computer version.
Enter the meeting topic, select your date and time, and tap Schedule. The app will generate your link and display it on the confirmation screen. Tap Copy Link or the copy icon to save it to your phone's clipboard. You can then paste it into an email, text message, or any app where you want to share it.
Where to find your link after you create it
After you schedule a meeting, Zoom stores the link in your Meetings section. If you need to find it again later, sign into your account, go to Meetings, and look for the meeting by its topic name or date. Click on it and the link will appear. You can copy it again from there.
Zoom also sends you a calendar invitation if you chose that option during scheduling. The link is included in that email. If you use Google Calendar, Outlook, or Apple Calendar, the meeting will appear on your calendar with the link attached, and you can copy it from there as well.
What happens when you share the link
When someone receives your Zoom link and clicks it, they will be taken to a screen that asks them to join the meeting. If they have the Zoom app installed, clicking the link will open the app and join them automatically. If they do not have the app, they can join through their web browser without downloading anything.
The person joining does not need a Zoom account to use your link. They only need the link itself. You can share it with anyone — coworkers, family, clients, or anyone else — and they can join by clicking it at the scheduled time or whenever the meeting is active.
Customizing your link before you share it
When you schedule a meeting, you can add a password to require anyone joining to enter a code before they enter. This adds a small layer of security if you are concerned about uninvited people joining. You can also choose whether to allow participants to join before you arrive, whether to mute everyone when they join, and whether to record the meeting automatically.
These settings are optional and can be changed after you create the link. If you realize you forgot to add a password, you can edit the meeting details and add one before the meeting starts. The link itself does not change — only the requirements for joining.
Using the same link for multiple meetings
By default, Zoom creates a unique link for each meeting you schedule. However, Zoom accounts also have a Personal Meeting ID (PMI) — a permanent link that stays the same every time you use it. If you want to use the same link repeatedly without scheduling individual meetings, you can share your PMI instead.
To find your PMI, sign into your Zoom account and go to Settings. Look for the Personal Meeting ID section. Your PMI is displayed there and can be shared like any other link. The downside is that anyone with your PMI can start a meeting with you at any time, so only share it with people you trust or use it for recurring meetings with the same group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for Zoom to create a link?
No. Free Zoom accounts can create and share links. The only limitation is that meetings with three or more people are capped at 40 minutes. If you need longer meetings, you would need a paid account, but creating the link itself is free.
Can I change the meeting link after I create it?
No, the link itself cannot be changed once it is generated. However, you can edit the meeting details like the time, password, or recording settings. If you need a completely different link, you would schedule a new meeting.
What if someone loses the link I sent them?
You can resend it at any time. Sign into your Zoom account, go to Meetings, find the meeting by name or date, and copy the link again. You can also send them your Personal Meeting ID if you have one set up, though that link works for any meeting you host.
Does the link work if I have not started the meeting yet?
It depends on your settings. By default, participants cannot join until you start the meeting. However, you can change this in the meeting settings to allow early arrival. If you enable that option, people can join a few minutes before the scheduled start time.
Can I use the same link for different meetings on different days?
Only if you use your Personal Meeting ID. Each scheduled meeting gets its own unique link. If you want one link that works for multiple separate meetings, use your PMI instead, though everyone will join the same meeting room each time.