How-To

How to Find GPS Coordinates in Google Maps

By Sandy Writtenhouse

Updated December 7, 2023

If you need a location’s latitude and longitude, you can get these GPS Coordinates in Google Maps. Plus, you can quickly find a spot with coordinates.

You may not think much about GPS coordinates unless you work in a field like aviation or emergency services. But longitude and latitude combination gives you an exact location, more precise than a street name or house number.

If you’re in a situation where you need to look up the latitude and longitude in Google Maps for a particular location, you’re able to use either your PC or a mobile device to do so.

How to Find Coordinates in Google Maps on PC or Mac

To search for coordinates in Google Maps online using your PC or Mac, use the following steps.

1. Click a spot on the map to place a small, gray pin.
2. You’ll immediately see a small card appear below it showing the location and coordinates.
3. If you click on the coordinates, the map will zoom in on the location and place its details in the left-hand sidebar.

How to Enter Coordinates in Google Maps on PC or Mac

You can also enter the latitude and longitude for a specific location using the Google Maps search box.

To do this, type or paste the coordinates into the Search box and click the Search button (magnifying glass). Your location will display with both a large red pin on the map and details on the left.

How to Find Coordinates in Google Maps on Android

If you use an Android phone, follow the sets of instructions below for obtaining and entering coordinates in Google Maps.

To look up coordinates in Google Maps on Android, you’ll need to drop a pin—tap and hold a spot on the map to do this. You’ll see a red pin appear on the map and a Dropped Pin window at the bottom.

The coordinates for the pinned location appear in the Search box at the top. You can also swipe up or tap the Dropped Pin window from the bottom. The coordinates also appear next to the location icon.

If you tap the coordinates in the Dropped Pin window, they’ll copy to your clipboard. This is handy if you want to paste them into another app.

How to Enter Coordinates in Google Maps on Android

If you copy the coordinates from another spot, you can easily paste them into Google Maps. Of course, you can also type them in, too.

To do this, open Google Maps, enter the coordinates into the Search box at the top, and hit the Search key on the keyboard. You’ll see a pin appear on the map for the spot.

Swipe up from the bottom to get directions or view details for the location.

Get Google Maps for Android, free on Google Play.

How to Find Coordinates in Google Maps on iPhone and iPad

For iPhone or iPad users, follow the sets of steps below for getting and using GPS coordinates in the Google Maps app.

To obtain coordinates for a location on iPhone and iPad, you’ll also drop a pin. To do this, tap and hold a spot on the map.

You’ll see a red pin appear on the map and a Dropped Pin window at the bottom. Swipe up or tap the Dropped Pin window from the bottom—the coordinates appear below the location icon.

If you tap the coordinates in the bottom window, they’ll copy to your clipboard, just like on Android.

How to Enter Coordinates in Google Maps on iPhone and iPad

Like on Android, the easiest way to enter coordinates is to paste them in, but you can also type them.

To do this, open Google Maps, pop the coordinates into the Search box at the top and hit the Search key on the keyboard. You’ll then see a pin on the map for the spot with its coordinates. Swipe up from the bottom to obtain directions or take another action on the location.

Get Google Maps for iOS, free on the App Store.

Tips for Entering Coordinates

Google Maps offers some formatting tips for entering coordinates you should keep in mind. You can use degrees, minutes, and seconds (DMS), degrees, and decimal minutes (DMM), or decimal degrees (DD).

In addition, follow these tips for Google Maps when entering coordinates online or on your mobile device.

• Use the degree symbol, not the letter “d.”
• Use periods as decimals, not commas.
• Always enter the latitude before the longitude.
• Be sure the first number in the latitude is between -90 and 90.
• Be sure the first number in the longitude is between -180 and 180.

GPS Coordinates Mark the Exact Spot in Google Maps

When you need to pinpoint an exact location, GPS coordinates is the way to do it. Whether you need them for a place or want to find a spot with them, Google Maps comes to the rescue!

Looking for more map options? Check out these Google Maps alternatives and why you might like them better.