Deleting a calendar you no longer need

To delete a calendar in Google Calendar, open the app or website, find the calendar name in the left sidebar, click the three-dot menu next to it, and select "Delete calendar." Google will ask you to confirm. Once you confirm, the calendar and all events in it are permanently removed — you cannot undo this action.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you own the calendar or someone else shared it with you. If you only have access to a shared calendar (someone else created it), you can remove it from your view without deleting it for others. If you created the calendar, deleting it removes it for everyone who has access.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting a calendar you created removes it permanently for all users who have access to it, including shared calendars.
  • Removing a shared calendar that someone else owns only takes it off your view — it does not delete the calendar itself.
  • Once deleted, a calendar and all its events cannot be recovered, so export events first if you need to keep them.
  • The delete option appears in the three-dot menu next to the calendar name in the left sidebar on both the website and mobile app.

Deleting a calendar you created

Open Google Calendar on your computer or phone. In the left sidebar under "My calendars," find the calendar you want to delete. Click or tap the three-dot menu (vertical dots) next to the calendar name. A dropdown menu appears with options including "Settings," "Hide," and "Delete calendar." Click "Delete calendar."

Google Calendar will show a confirmation dialog asking if you are sure. The message will state that the calendar and all events in it will be permanently deleted. Click "Delete" to confirm. The calendar disappears from your sidebar immediately and is gone for anyone who had access to it. This action cannot be reversed.

Removing a shared calendar from your view

If someone else created a calendar and shared it with you, you have two options: remove it from your view, or ask the owner to delete it entirely. To remove it from your view without affecting others, find the calendar in the left sidebar under "Other calendars." Click the three-dot menu next to it and select "Unsubscribe" or "Remove."

The calendar disappears from your sidebar, but it still exists for the person who created it and for anyone else they shared it with. This is the safer choice if you are not sure whether others still need the calendar. The owner can always re-share it with you later if needed.

Exporting events before you delete

If a calendar contains events you want to keep — even if you are deleting the calendar itself — export the events first. Open Google Calendar, click the three-dot menu next to the calendar name, and select "Settings." Scroll down and look for an "Export calendar" or "Download" option. Click it to download the calendar as an .ics file, which you can save to your computer.

You can then import this file into another calendar or keep it as a backup. This step takes less than a minute and protects you if you realize later that you needed some of those events. Once you have exported the file, you can safely delete the calendar.

Deleting a calendar on your phone

The process on the Google Calendar mobile app is similar to the website. Open the app and tap "Settings" (the gear icon). Scroll to find the calendar you want to delete under "My calendars." Tap the calendar name, then scroll down and tap "Delete this calendar." Confirm the deletion when prompted.

On iPhone, you may see the option under the calendar's settings menu instead. If you cannot find a delete option on mobile, open Google Calendar in your phone's web browser instead — the website version always has the delete option visible in the three-dot menu.

What happens to shared calendars when you delete

When you delete a calendar you created and own, everyone who has access to it loses access immediately. They will see an error message or find the calendar missing from their sidebar. If you want to give people a chance to save events first, send them a message before deleting and give them time to export the calendar.

If you are the only person using a calendar and you delete it, no one else is affected. But if multiple people rely on that calendar for work or planning, deleting it without warning can cause confusion. Consider whether anyone else needs the events before you proceed.

Recovering a deleted calendar

Google Calendar does not have an undo or recovery feature for deleted calendars. Once you confirm the deletion, the calendar and all its events are gone permanently. There is no trash folder or recovery window — the action is final.

If you deleted a calendar by mistake and did not export it first, your only option is to recreate it manually or ask someone else who had access whether they exported a copy. This is why exporting before deletion is important, even if you think you will not need the events later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo a calendar deletion?

No. Google Calendar does not offer an undo option for deleted calendars. Once you confirm the deletion, the calendar and all events are permanently removed. If you need the events, you must have exported the calendar before deleting it.

What is the difference between deleting and hiding a calendar?

Hiding a calendar keeps it in your account but removes it from your view — you can unhide it anytime. Deleting a calendar removes it permanently for everyone with access. If you are not sure you want to delete, hide it first to see if you miss it.

If I delete a shared calendar, can the owner restore it?

Only if you are the owner can you delete the calendar. If someone else owns it, you can only remove it from your view. If the owner deletes it, they cannot restore it either — deletion is permanent for everyone.

Do I need to delete events before deleting the calendar?

No. Deleting the calendar automatically removes all events in it. You only need to delete individual events if you want to keep the calendar but remove specific events from it.

Can I delete a calendar on my phone if I cannot find the option?

If the mobile app does not show a delete option, open Google Calendar in your phone's web browser instead. The website version always displays the three-dot menu with the delete option. You can also ask someone with a computer to delete it for you if you both have access.