jQuery Check if Window is in iFrame

Simple JavaScript code snippet to check whether or not a window is in an iFrame. Very useful for some functions that may make use of the URL in the address bar of the page.

Simple as this.


var isInIframe = (window.location != window.parent.location) ? true : false;

Also See:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about jQuery and iFrames

How can I use jQuery to check if a webpage is loaded inside an iFrame?

To check if a webpage is loaded inside an iFrame using jQuery, you can use the window.self and window.top properties. If a webpage is loaded inside an iFrame, window.self will not be equal to window.top. Here’s a simple code snippet to illustrate this:

if (window.self !== window.top) {
// The page is in an iFrame
} else {
// The page is not in an iFrame
}

What is the difference between `window.self` and `window.top` in JavaScript?

In JavaScript, window.self refers to the current window, while window.top refers to the topmost window in the window hierarchy. If a webpage is loaded directly in the browser, window.self and window.top will be the same. However, if the webpage is loaded inside an iFrame, window.self will refer to the iFrame window, and window.top will refer to the main browser window.

Can I use jQuery to manipulate content inside an iFrame?

Yes, you can use jQuery to manipulate content inside an iFrame. However, due to the same-origin policy, you can only do this if the iFrame and the parent document are from the same domain. Here’s an example of how you can change the HTML of a body tag inside an iFrame:

$("#myIframe").contents().find("body").html("Hello, World!");

How can I detect an iFrame using pure JavaScript, without jQuery?

You can detect an iFrame using pure JavaScript by comparing window.self and window.top, similar to the jQuery method. Here’s how you can do it:

if (window.self !== window.top) {
// The page is in an iFrame
} else {
// The page is not in an iFrame
}

What is the same-origin policy, and how does it affect iFrames?

The same-origin policy is a security feature implemented in web browsers to prevent scripts from different domains from interacting with each other. This policy affects iFrames because it prevents scripts in the parent document from accessing or manipulating the content inside the iFrame if they are not from the same domain.

Can I bypass the same-origin policy to access an iFrame from a different domain?

Bypassing the same-origin policy is generally not recommended due to security reasons. However, if you have control over both the parent document and the iFrame content, you can use the document.domain property or the postMessage method to communicate between the two.

How can I use the `postMessage` method to communicate between an iFrame and the parent document?

The postMessage method allows you to send data between windows, even if they are not from the same domain. Here’s an example of how you can use it:

// In the parent document
window.addEventListener("message", function(event) {
console.log("Received message:", event.data);
}, false);

// In the iFrame
window.parent.postMessage("Hello, parent!", "*");

Can I use jQuery to detect if a webpage is loaded inside an iFrame in all browsers?

Yes, the method of comparing window.self and window.top works in all modern browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.

Can I load a webpage inside an iFrame using jQuery?

Yes, you can load a webpage inside an iFrame using the attr method in jQuery to set the src attribute of the iFrame. Here’s an example:

$("#myIframe").attr("src", "https://www.example.com");

Can I use jQuery to resize an iFrame based on its content?

Yes, you can use jQuery to resize an iFrame based on its content. However, due to the same-origin policy, you can only do this if the iFrame and the parent document are from the same domain. Here’s an example:

$("#myIframe").height($("#myIframe").contents().find("body").height());