October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsSlow PC?RecommendedPC slow today? Run a repair scan before it gets worseResolve common Windows issues and optimize system performance.Scan NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
World desk5 min

How to Set Up and Customize the Home Assistant Map Dashboard

Set up Home Assistant’s Map dashboard or add a Map card elsewhere, then choose what appears and adjust history, labels, clustering and framing.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

You can edit Home Assistant’s built-in Map dashboard or add a Map card to another dashboard. Choose which coordinate-bearing entities or geolocation sources to show, then configure labels, history, clustering and map framing in the visual editor or YAML.

Set up the Map dashboard or add a Map card

  1. Open the dashboard and choose Edit. If Home Assistant opens a takeover dialog, use its three-dot menu and select Take control. Taking control lets you edit the dashboard, but it stops automatic updates when new dashboard elements become available; Home Assistant says you cannot switch a taken-over dashboard back to automatic updating. The Map dashboard is categorized as user-created and can be edited like other dashboards. See Home Assistant’s Map dashboard documentation and dashboard documentation.
  2. Add or edit the Map card. The built-in Map dashboard is powered by this card. You can also place a Map card on another dashboard. Use the visual editor for straightforward changes or YAML for explicit control; the documented card options are available in both.
  3. Choose what appears. Configure at least one of entities, geo_location_sources or show_all: true. The card displays entities only when they have latitude and longitude attributes. As Home Assistant puts it, “Only entities that have latitude and longitude attributes will be displayed on the map.”
  4. Add zones if needed, then save. The card can display the home zone and other predefined zones. The home marker uses the location set in Home information; add other zones through Home Assistant’s zone setup.

After saving, use the controls below the map’s zoom buttons to toggle marker grouping or reset the viewport to fit the displayed entities.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Choose the entities and geolocation sources

Use entities to select exactly which locatable entities should appear. This is usually the clearest choice for a focused map. The entity picker includes home device trackers, such as a phone using the Home Assistant Companion App. Use show_all: true to include every entity with coordinates, or choose individual geolocation sources—or all—with geo_location_sources. Showing everything is convenient, but can make the map crowded.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

A minimal YAML configuration, based on Home Assistant’s example, looks like this:

#1 Best Overall
Home Assistant | Smart Home hub with Advanced Automation | Official HomeAssistant ((4G+64G)+Hub)
  • Home Assistant provides a professional and reliable platform for home automation, designed to run continuously 24/7.
  • Powered by a 64-bit Quad-Core Cortex-A53 processor, delivering smooth and efficient performance for smart home automations.
  • Includes 4GB SDRAM for reliable multitasking and 64GB eMMC
  • Features a Mali-450 MP2 GPU for responsive visual interfaces, housed in a compact 85 × 85 × 15mm (3.35" × 3.35" × 0.59") design that fits easily in any space.
  • Typical power consumption is under 10W, with fanless operation for quiet performance suitable for any room in your home.
type: map
aspect_ratio: 16:9
default_zoom: 8
auto_fit: true
entities:
  - device_tracker.demo_paulus
  - zone.home

Replace device_tracker.demo_paulus with an entity that exists in your installation and exposes latitude and longitude attributes. Keep zone.home if you want the home zone included.

Set map framing, density and appearance

Control the viewport

auto_fit: true adjusts the map when a listed entity updates, which can keep moving trackers in view. fit_zones controls whether listed zones count when fitting the viewport. Set focus: false on an entity or source that should appear on the map but should not affect its default zoom or fit.

Rank #2
Wall Mount Compatible with Home Assistant Green Smart Home Hub Holder (White)
  • Custom fit design provides a snug and secure hold for your compatible with Home Assistant Green, ensuring stability and easy access at eye level.
  • Space-saving wall installation helps declutter surfaces by moving your smart home hub off counters and onto the wall for a cleaner setup.
  • Durable construction crafted for reliable long-term use with quick and straightforward mounting on various wall surfaces.
  • Sleek minimalist style complements modern home aesthetics while keeping ports and displays accessible.
  • This product is a third-party accessory designed to be compatible with Home Assistant. Our products are not affiliated with, authorized, or endorsed by it and are mentioned for compatibility purposes only.

default_zoom uses smaller numbers for a wider view and larger numbers for a closer view. Its documented default is 14, or the zoom needed to fit visible markers. It cannot force a closer zoom than the current fit requires. To restore a useful framing after changing settings, use the map’s reset-focus control.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Manage marker density

Clustering is enabled by default. Set cluster: false to show markers individually, but Home Assistant warns that this may cause performance issues with many markers. You can also toggle grouping at runtime with the control below the zoom buttons. For a crowded or slow map, choose specific entities rather than show_all and leave clustering enabled.

Rank #3
Sale
Aqara Smart Hub M200, Matter Controller, Featuring Aqara Zigbee, Wi-Fi, IR
  • [Multi-Protocol Hub with Matter Bridge] The Aqara Hub M200 is a versatile smart hub that supports multiple advanced features, acting as a Matter Controller, Thread Border Router, and Matter Bridge. It integrates third-party devices into the Aqara Home app. With advanced Matter bridging functionality, it syncs Aqara-exclusive features with ecosystems like Home Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Home for seamless integration. Supports up to 40 Aqara Zigbee devices and 40 Thread devices.
  • [Smart IR Blaster with Feedback and Learning] The 360°IR blaster not only sends commands but also provides accurate status updates by detecting traditional remote use. It connects IR air conditioning units to Matter, functioning as an AC thermostat when paired with an Aqara Temperature and Humidity Sensor. (Note: Only one AC device can be exposed to Matter. Functionality may vary based on the Matter integration app. For Apple Home exposure, use Matter integration instead of HomeKit.)
  • [Wired & Wireless Connectivity with PoE Support] Enjoy flexible setup with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz) using advanced WPA3 security, and Power over Ethernet (PoE), making the M200 a versatile PoE Ethernet Smart Home Hub. The USB-C port supports mini-UPS or power bank connections for uninterrupted operation, ensuring your energy-saving and security automations stay online. (*2A USB power adapter is not included. )
  • [Home Automation and Alarm System] Works with all Aqara devices to create a comprehensive, smart home automation system. The Aqara Hub M200 is equipped with a built-in speaker that can be used in a variety of ways: security alerts, doorbell, alarm clock, and custom audio messages. (** 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝-𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐙𝐢𝐠𝐛𝐞𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬)
  • [Local Automation for Reliable Performance] Supports local execution of automations for Zigbee and Matter devices, ensuring smooth operation even without Wi-Fi or cloud access. Enjoy millisecond response times for a more stable and reliable smart home experience. (Some automation, such as cloud push notifications, will still require the cloud connection to be executed.)

Adjust proportions and theme

Set aspect_ratio to a percentage or ratio such as 16:9 to change the card’s proportions. Set theme_mode to auto, light or dark. Use scale_ruler to show a scale indicator.

Show location history and customize labels

Set hours_to_show to a nonzero time range to draw past-location paths for selected entities. Home Assistant’s UI calls this setting “Hours to show.” A person marker also depends on a connected presence-capable source; Home Assistant gives a phone running the Companion App with location tracking enabled as an example.

Rank #4
Home Assistant Green | Smart Home hub with Advanced Automation | Official Home Assistant Hardware
  • 💡 EASIEST WAY TO GET STARTED WITH HOME ASSISTANT - With Home Assistant already installed, it only requires plugging the included power supply and Ethernet cable to get started.
  • ✅ OFFICIAL - This official Home Assistant hardware is built and supported by Nabu Casa, the team driving the development of Home Assistant.
  • 🏡 DESIGNED FOR THE HOME - The small, fanless, and silent design packs a quad-core processor, 32GB of storage, and 4GB of RAM.
  • 📱 ONE HUB TO CONTROL THE WHOLE HOME - Cut down hub and app clutter and control your whole home from Home Assistant Green.
  • 🤖 AUTOMATE EVERYTHING - Make all the devices in your home work in harmony - have your lights dim when you start watching a movie, or turn off your heat when you’re away from home.

For an entity, set name to customize its marker name and label_mode to choose what the label displays. Supported modes include name (the default), icon, state and attribute; attribute mode can include a unit.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

This YAML pattern shows a home zone and a geolocation source that does not affect map framing:

Best Value
Besisglas Starter Kit for Home Assistant, Zigbee 3.0 Hub, 2 Zigbee Sensors
  • EASIEST WAY TO GET STARTED WITH HOME ASSISTANT: With Home Assistant already installed, it only requires plugging the included power supply and Ethernet cable to get started
  • DESIGNED FOR THE HOME: The small, fanless, and silent design packs a quad-core processor, 32GB of storage, and 4GB of RAM
  • ONE HUB TO CONTROL YOUR WHOLE HOME: Simplify your smart home with HA70. Built with official Home Assistant OS and a professional Zigbee coordinator, it brings local control, powerful automation, and seamless device management into one compact hub
  • AUTOMATE EVERYTHING: Make all the devices in your home work in harmony - have your lights dim when you start watching a movie, or turn off your heat when you're away from home
  • YOUR HOME, YOUR DATA: Your home's data will be kept in the home on your HomeAssistant. You can easily view, share, and export that data anywhere you want
type: map
geo_location_sources:
  - nsw_rural_fire_service_feed
  - source: gdacs
    focus: false
entities:
  - zone.home

You can also assign a state label and keep an entity from influencing the fit. Home Assistant’s example uses a gas-price sensor as a placeholder, so replace it with an existing entity that has coordinates:

type: map
entities:
  - entity: device_tracker.demo_paulus
  - entity: sensor.gas_station_gas_price
    label_mode: state
    focus: false
hours_to_show: 48
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Filter markers with conditions

Use conditions to display an entity only when it passes every condition you specify. Home Assistant’s documented example shows all locatable entities except those whose state is home. This is useful when the map should emphasize entities away from home rather than showing every matching marker all the time.

Change the dashboard layout

The Map dashboard is available out of the box, and its view can be edited like other dashboards. For example, you can change the view layout from Panel to Sidebar. Home Assistant also supports separate user profiles for different devices, including a wall-tablet profile, which can help tailor a dashboard’s presentation to its display.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Troubleshoot missing markers, traces or framing

  • No marker appears: Check that the entity exposes numeric latitude and longitude attributes and that it is included through entities, an active geolocation source or show_all: true.
  • A person is missing: Check that a presence-detection integration or connected location-capable device supplies the person or device-tracker data. For the Companion App example, location tracking must be enabled.
  • No path appears: Set hours_to_show to a nonzero range.
  • The map is framed incorrectly: Use Reset focus to fit displayed entities, then check focus, auto_fit and fit_zones. Remember that default_zoom cannot override a closer zoom needed to fit markers.
  • There are too many markers or rendering is slow: Replace show_all with selected entities or keep clustering enabled.
  • The dashboard no longer adds new elements automatically: This is expected after taking control. Home Assistant says a taken-over dashboard cannot be switched back to automatic updating, though you can create a new default dashboard.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Wire

  1. World desk4 min
    How to Spot an AI Voice Scam Before Sending MoneyDon’t rely on how a caller sounds. Pause, call back through a known number, and verify the emergency with another trusted person before sending money.
  2. Mountain View desk4 min
    Google’s SynthID Detector: How to Check AI-Generated Images, Video and AudioGoogle’s SynthID Detector looks for an embedded watermark in supported images, video and audio. Here is what its results do—and do not—show.
  3. Redmond desk20 min
    How to create a link to File or Folder in Windows 11Windows 11 gives you several ways to point to a file or folder without moving or duplicating it. You can create a desktop shortcut,…
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.