How can I access the contents of an iframe with JavaScript/jQuery?

javascript

iframe-access

jquery-tips

dom-manipulation

byAnton Shumikhin·Feb 9, 2025

Remember, accessing iframe content with JavaScript or jQuery requires the iframe to have the same origin as its parent. Here's how to get down to business:

JavaScript:

// My Spiderman senses are tingling! Content detected! 
var content = document.getElementById('myIframe').contentWindow.document;

jQuery:

// Who you gonna call? Content busters! 
var content = $('#myIframe').contents();

Accessing iframe from a different domain? window.postMessage is your savior for secure cross-domain messaging.

Pro Tips for jQuery Access

Finding Elements and Influencing Styles

To target and manipulate specific elements like a pro:

// Hey there, wanna see some magic?
$('#myIframe').contents().find('#someDiv').removeClass('hidden');

Why so secretive, someDiv? Time to come out of hiding! We are using find to target it and then removing the hidden class.

Taming Iframe Load Events

Oh, you want to ensure that the iframe content is fully loaded? Say no more:

// Let's wait for the party to start!
$('#myIframe').on('load', function() {
  // Now that the guests have arrived, let's have some fun!
  var iframeBody = $(this).contents().find('body');
  iframeBody.html('<p>New content added</p>');
});

Here we latch on a load event listener to myIframe before manipulating its body content - because nobody likes a party without guests.

Ninja Handling of Same-Origin Policies

Got different domains? Careful, that's like oil and water:

// Did I hear someone knocking on my door?
try {
  var content = $('#myIframe').contents();
} catch (error) {
  //Sorry, we only accept guests from the same domain!
  console.error('Permission denied: Different domain');
}

Make sure your iframe and page are chillin' in the same domain for seamless access.

PHP and setInterval Sneak Attack Method

You can even sneak third-party content into your domain arena with some PHP trickery:

<?php
// Content thieves in action!
echo file_get_contents('http://external-domain.com/somepage.html');
?>

Oh, you sly fox - using a server-side script to echo external content!

Advanced Hack Techniques

Setting Function Context to Iframe Document

With jQuery, you can set function to the iframe document. It's like a VIP pass to the party inside the iframe:

$(document).ready(function() {
  var $iframeBody = $('#myIframe').contents().find('body');
  // Accessing the VIP lounge
  $.getJSON('/get-data', function(data) {
    $iframeBody.find('#data-container').html(data);
  }.bind($iframeBody));
});

DOM Manipulation with .contentWindow

For those who say "No jQuery, thanks!", we have good news. Direct DOM flirting is possible:

// No jQuery? No problem!
var iframeDOM = document.getElementById('myIframe').contentWindow.document;
// This. Is. SPARTA! No, wait... It's updated content!
iframeDOM.getElementById('someElement').textContent = "Updated Content";

Keeping an Eye on Dynamic Content

Real-time application with constantly changing content? Sounds like a spy thriller:

//I spy with my little eye...
setInterval(function() {
  var content = $('#myIframe').contents().find('#dynamicContent');
  // Oh look! The content just changed! 
}, 1000);