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This article explains how to get GPS coordinates for any location using Google Maps in a browser and the Google Maps app for Android and iOS devices. It also shows how to use GPS coordinates in Google Maps. Instructions apply to any current browser and Android or iOS device.
The instructions in this article require access to the Google Maps desktop site or the Google Maps mobile app for Android or iOS devices. It doesn't matter what operating system or phone you use. Retrieving GPS coordinates from Google Maps on a computer browser is simple. Follow these steps:
It's also possible to get GPS coordinates from the Google Maps mobile app on your mobile device. It works with both the Android and iOS apps on iPhones. The steps differ slightly. If you're on an Android phone, you'll see the coordinates at the top of the screen.
If you use an iPhone, the process is a little different in iOS.
If you have a set of GPS coordinates, such as for geocaching, enter the latitude and longitude into Google Maps to find the location and get directions.
Latitude is divided into 180 degrees. The equator is situated at 0 degrees latitude. The North Pole is at 90 degrees, and the South Pole is at -90 degrees latitude. Longitude is divided into 360 degrees. The prime meridian, which is in Greenwich, England, is at 0 degrees longitude. Distance east and west is measured from this point, extending to 180 degrees east or -180 degrees west. Minutes and seconds are smaller increments of degrees. They allow for precise positioning. Each degree is equal to 60 minutes, and each minute can be divided into 60 seconds. Minutes are indicated with an apostrophe (') and seconds with a double quotation mark (").
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It’s useful to know how to find coordinates on Google Maps. Sometimes an address just isn’t specific enough, or the location you’re looking for doesn’t have an address. When this happens, you can use the precise coordinates to locate a place. Once you know how to find coordinates, you’ll also be able to share them with others to help them find a specific location — which could be very useful if you're camping somewhere off-grid, for instance, or meeting a group in a big open space. The good news is that it's really easy to do, so read on and we’ll show you how to find coordinates on Google Maps, whether you’re using a desktop computer or a mobile device. How to find coordinates on Google Maps: On your desktop1. Open Google Maps. (Image credit: Future)2. Right click a location on the map. 3. The coordinates will appear at the top of the list. You can click on the coordinates to automatically copy them to your clipboard, then paste into an email or messaging app to share with others. (Image credit: Future)How to find coordinates on Google Maps: On iOS1. Open the Google Maps app. 2. Touch and hold an area of the map. (Image credit: Google)3. A red icon (“pin”) will appear. Swipe up the “Dropped pin” menu at the bottom, and you’ll be able to see the coordinates. Again, you can now copy and paste as you wish. (Image credit: Google)How to find coordinates on Google Maps: On Android1. Open the Google Maps app. (Image credit: Google)2. Touch and hold an area of the map. 3. A red icon (“pin”) will appear, and the coordinates will show in the search bar at the top of the screen. Copy and paste as needed. (Image credit: Shutterstock)If you want to find out more about using Google Maps, you can check out some of our other tutorials. For instance, we can show you how to download offline Google Maps, how to measure distance with Google Maps, how to change home in Google Maps and how to drop a pin in Google Maps. Thinking about trying a different maps app? Read our comparisons of Google Maps vs. Apple Maps and Google Maps vs. Waze. Today's best Google Pixel 5 deals (opens in new tab)No contract Unlimited mins Unlimitedtexts 40GBdata Infinite data in Oz at speeds up to 2Mbps after your Max Speed data is used (opens in new tab)No contract Unlimited mins Unlimitedtexts 40GBdata Infinite data in Oz at speeds up to 2Mbps after your Max Speed data is used View Deal (opens in new tab) at Vodafone (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)No contract Unlimited calls Unlimitedtexts 30GBdata No excess data charges in Australia. Speed will be capped at max 1.5Mbps. (opens in new tab)No contract Unlimited calls Unlimitedtexts 30GBdata No excess data charges in Australia. Speed will be capped at max 1.5Mbps. View Deal (opens in new tab) at Optus (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)No contract Unlimited mins Unlimitedtexts 40GBdata No excess data charges in Australia. Speed will be capped at 1.5Mbps. (opens in new tab)No contract Unlimited mins Unlimitedtexts 40GBdata No excess data charges in Australia. Speed will be capped at 1.5Mbps. View Deal (opens in new tab) at Telstra (opens in new tab) |