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Google Maps accepts latitude and longitude directly in its search box. Enter latitude first, then longitude—for example, 41.40338, 2.17403—and search. You can do this on a computer, Android phone, or iPhone/iPad. The result marks a geographic point; it does not necessarily identify a building entrance or prove that the point is accessible.
Enter coordinates in Google Maps
Use the same basic method on every platform: enter the coordinate pair in the search field, with latitude first and longitude second. Latitude describes a position north or south of the Equator; longitude describes a position east or west of the Prime Meridian. Google’s coordinate search instructions list the accepted formats and examples.
On a computer
- Open Google Maps in a browser.
- Click the search box and type or paste the coordinates.
- Check that the latitude comes first, then press Enter or select the result.
- Confirm that the pin appears in the intended area.
On Android
- Open the Google Maps app and tap the search box.
- Enter the coordinate pair, latitude first.
- Tap the search button or choose the matching result.
- Check the pin and its location details.
On iPhone or iPad
- Open the Google Maps app and tap the search box.
- Type or paste the coordinates, latitude first.
- Tap Search.
- Check that the map centers on the intended point.
Google’s platform-specific steps are documented for Android and iPhone and iPad. App layouts can differ by device, language, and release, so the exact placement of results or coordinates may vary.
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Coordinate formats Google Maps accepts
Google Maps supports three common ways to write latitude and longitude:
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| Format | Example | How it is written |
|---|---|---|
| Decimal degrees (DD) | 41.40338, 2.17403 |
Degrees expressed as decimal numbers; usually easiest to copy and share. |
| Degrees, minutes, seconds (DMS) | 41°24'12.2"N 2°10'26.5"E |
Degrees, minutes, seconds, followed by hemisphere letters. |
| Degrees and decimal minutes (DMM) | 41 24.2028, 2 10.4418 |
Degrees followed by minutes that include a decimal fraction. |
For decimal degrees, use a period as the decimal separator: 41.40338, 2.17403. Google gives 41,40338, 2,17403 as an incorrect format. In decimal degrees, positive latitude is north and negative latitude is south; positive longitude is east and negative longitude is west. Keep any minus signs when copying coordinates. You can also use hemisphere letters in DMS notation.
Google specifies latitude values from -90 to 90, and longitude values from -180 to 180. A coordinate pair outside those ranges is invalid. More digits can express a more finely specified point, but they do not guarantee that the original measurement or map location is equally accurate.
Find coordinates for a place or map point
For an unlabeled point
- Computer: Find the location and right-click the desired point. A pop-up shows its coordinates; click them to copy.
- Android or iPhone/iPad: Navigate to the area and touch and hold an unlabeled spot. Google Maps drops a pin. Look for the coordinates in the location panel or search display.
See Google’s instructions for finding coordinates on a computer, Android, or iPhone or iPad. Mobile screen placement may vary.
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For a named place, address, or entrance
Search for the place and select the right result. If the listing’s marker is not the point you need—for example, a particular entrance, trailhead, loading area, or meeting spot—zoom in and drop a separate pin on that point. A business or address marker may represent a general location rather than the best place to arrive.
Get directions to a coordinate
Once the coordinate resolves to a pin or place, select it and choose Directions. Pick a travel mode and review the route and endpoint. A coordinate identifies a geographic point, but it is not necessarily a road, entrance, trail access point, or public destination. Maps may route to the nearest mapped road or path rather than the exact pin; the final part of a journey may need to be completed on foot or by another means.
Before setting out, confirm that the point is accessible and that you have permission to go there. A pin can fall on private land, restricted property, water, or hazardous terrain. Routing information is separate from proof of access.
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- View Tripadvisor traveler ratings for top-rated restaurants, hotels and attractions to help you make the most of road trips
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Copy and share coordinates
On a computer, click the displayed coordinate pair to copy it. On a phone, look for the coordinates in the selected location’s panel or search display; tap them if the app offers a copy control. You can then paste the pair into a text message, email, note, or another mapping app. If a copy control is not visible, select and copy the displayed text if your device permits it.
For clarity, preserve latitude-first order and include a short note about where to meet or enter. For example:
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A Google Maps location link is often simpler when the recipient will open Maps directly; raw coordinates are compact, readable, and easy to paste into other mapping tools. Either way, describe the intended access point if the exact entrance matters.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use a Plus Code instead
A Plus Code is another Google Maps location reference. It can be useful for a precise place that lacks a conventional street address, such as a particular entrance or delivery point. It is an alternative to coordinates, though a recipient may need a brief explanation.
Copy a Plus Code
- Computer: Click the desired map location, click the coordinates shown in the information box, then select the Plus Code in the side panel to copy it.
- Android or iPhone/iPad: Touch and hold the desired point to drop a pin, open the bottom location panel, and tap the Plus Code to copy it. For your current location, tap the blue location dot and look for the Plus Code section and its copy option.
Google provides platform instructions for Plus Codes on computer, Android, and iPhone and iPad.
Search a Plus Code
For a code outside your current city, add the city or locality—for example, JJXX+HR8, Seattle. Google says a six- or seven-digit local Plus Code may be sufficient in the city where you are currently located. A global Plus Code can include an area prefix when used without a locality. Follow Google’s Plus Code search guidance if you are unsure which form you have.
Fix coordinates that point to the wrong place
- The pin is far away: Check the order. Latitude must come first; longitude second. Reversing them can place the result in a different region or in the ocean.
- The pair will not search correctly: Use a period for decimal fractions, such as
41.40338, 2.17403, not commas inside each number. Check that latitude is between-90and90and longitude between-180and180. - The result is on the opposite side of a region: Look for a missing or incorrect minus sign. Negative latitude means south; negative longitude means west. Alternatively, use explicit hemisphere letters in a consistently written DMS pair.
- The pair looks malformed: Do not mix formats accidentally. Copy the original pair exactly, or convert both coordinates consistently to DD, DMS, or DMM.
- The pin is close but not at the intended entrance: The source may have rounded the coordinates or used a general property location. Zoom in, inspect suitable map imagery, and drop a new pin on the access point you actually need.
- Directions stop short: The route may end at the nearest mapped access point. Confirm road or trail access, permissions, and conditions separately; a coordinate alone does not establish that the point can be reached.
Coordinate search, map display, routing, and offline maps are separate features. Do not assume that entering coordinates or following a route will work offline just because some map area has been downloaded. Google’s Plus Code guidance describes limited offline availability for a global Plus Code, but that should not be generalized to all coordinate searches or navigation.
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