How to Type GPS Coordinates into Google Maps: Desktop & Mobile

PDF download Download Article
A step-by-step guide to inputting GPS coordinates into Google Maps
PDF download Download Article

Did you know that you can use Google Maps to search for and identify a location by its GPS coordinates? Searching for GPS coordinates results in a more precise map location, and it's super easy to do. You can type or paste GPS coordinates into Maps using any web browser on a computer, and in the mobile app on an Android, iPhone, or iPad. This wikiHow article will teach the easiest ways to enter GPS coordinates into Google Maps.

Things You Should Know

  • You can enter GPS coordinates into Google Maps on any computer, phone, or tablet.
  • Google Maps accepts coordinates in decimal degrees (DD), degrees, minutes and seconds (DMS), and degrees and decimal minutes (DMM) formats.
  • If your coordinates contain a degree symbol , you can copy and paste this one ° or type it using a shortcut.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using a Computer

PDF download Download Article
  1. Go to https://maps.google.com . Open any web browser and go to the Google Maps website.
  2. Type in the latitude and longitude of the location into the search box at the upper-left corner of the map. Be sure to use the proper formatting of the GPS coordinates so that Google Maps can interpret and find the location. [1]
    • Some examples of accepted formatting:
      • Degrees, minutes, and seconds (DMS): 37°45'15.0"N 122°25'08.0"W
      • Degrees and decimal minutes (DMM): 37 45.2503921076 -122 25.1325660647
      • Decimal degrees (DD): 37.75417320179267, -122.41887610107811
    • If your coordinates contain a degree symbol °, you can type it easily:
      • Mac: Press Shift + Option + 8 .
      • Windows: Type char into the Windows search bar and click Character Map . In the "Search for" field, type degree , then click the degree symbol at the top-left. Click the Copy button so you can paste it into your coordinates.
      • Chromebook: Press Ctrl + Shift + U at the same time, then let go of the keys. Now type 00B0 (two zeroes, a B, and another 0) and press Enter . [2]
      • On any operating system, you can also copy and paste this symbol: °
    Advertisement
  3. You'll see it on the right side of the Google Maps search box. A red pin will drop on the exact location on the map pointed to by the GPS coordinates you’ve entered, and the map will zoom on the location.
    • You can also get GPS coordinates from Google Maps. Just search for a location and right-click it on the map. This brings up the latitude and longitude in the decimal degrees format.
    4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using the Mobile App

PDF download Download Article
  1. Look for the Google Maps app on your phone or tablet and tap on it.
    • Entering coordinates into Google Maps on your phone or tablet is similar to entering them on a computer. The only difference is how you'll type coordinates that contain degree symbols.
  2. Tap the search bar, then type the latitude and longitude in the proper format. Be sure to enter the coordinates precisely so Google Maps can interpret and find the location.
    • Just like entering your GPS coordinates on a computer, you can use any of these formats:
      • Degrees, minutes, and seconds (DMS): 37°45'15.0"N 122°25'08.0"W
      • Degrees and decimal minutes (DMM): 37 45.2503921076 -122 25.1325660647
      • Decimal degrees (DD): 37.75417320179267, -122.41887610107811
    • If your coordinates contain a degree symbol, you can either copy and paste the coordinates from another app, or type the degree symbol with your keyboard:
      • iPhone/iPad: Tap the 123 button on your keyboard, tap and hold the 0 (zero) key, then tap the degree symbol that appears.
      • Android: Tap the ?123 or !#1 key, on the keyboard, then tap the symbol key (usually a =\< or 1/2 ). Tap the degree key to type the symbol.
      • On any operating system, you can also copy and paste this symbol: °
  3. This zooms in to the location of the coordinates.
    • If you want to find the coordinates of a location, you can do so easily in Google Maps. Just tap and hold an area of the map that isn't labeled to drop a pin, and then:
      • On Android, you'll see the latitude and longitude in the search box.
      • On iPhone and iPad, tap Dropped pin to view the latitude and longitude.
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I enter a symbol for "degrees"?
    Community Answer
    You can copy and paste here: °. To copy (on Mac) is ⌘C, and to paste is ⌘V.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 43 Helpful 27
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • The first number in latitudinal coordinate should always be between -90 and 90, while the first number of longitudinal coordinates must be between -180 and 180. [3]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • When entering coordinates into Google Maps, type the latitude before the longitude.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      Go Back in Time on Google Maps: See Historical Location Pictures
      When Will a Google Street View Car Come to Your Area?
      How to
      Change the Year on Google Maps with Google Earth Pro
      How to
      Get Current Location on Google Maps
      How to
      Find North on Google Maps on PC or Mac
      2 Easy Ways to Print a Copy of Directions from Google Maps
      How to
      Save a Photo or Map Image from Google Maps
      Find Latitude and Longitude in Google Maps: Mobile & Desktop
      How to
      Track Someone’s Location in Google Maps
      3 Ways to See Live Traffic Conditions on Google Maps
      2 Ways to Change the Voice on Google Maps
      Google Maps Directions: Adding Multiple Stops to Your Route
      How to
      Add Your Business to Google Maps
      3 Easy Ways to Track Your Run with Google Maps
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/maps/answer/18539?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&oco=0
      2. ↑ https://www.unicode.org/cldr/cldr-aux/charts/28/keyboards/chars2keyboards.html
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/maps/answer/18539?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&oco=0

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 345,579 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement