Getting coordinates from a location on Google Maps

Google Maps shows you latitude and longitude numbers for any spot on Earth. To find them, open Google Maps on your computer or phone, search for or navigate to the location you want, then right-click it (on computer) or long-press it (on phone). A small box will appear at the bottom of your screen showing the exact coordinates — two numbers separated by a comma, like 40.7128, -74.0060.

The first number is latitude (how far north or south). The second is longitude (how far east or west). These coordinates work the same way everywhere — you can paste them into Google Maps on any device and it will take you to that exact spot.

You do not need to turn on location services to find coordinates. Google Maps can show you coordinates for any place you search for or click on, whether your phone knows where you are or not. Location services only matter if you want Google Maps to show your own current location.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click any spot on Google Maps (computer) or long-press it (phone) to see latitude and longitude coordinates in a box at the bottom.
  • Latitude comes first, then longitude — the order matters if you want to share or use the coordinates elsewhere.
  • You can copy coordinates directly from that box and paste them into messages, documents, or back into Google Maps to return to the same location.
  • Finding coordinates does not require location services to be on — you can look up any address or place in the world without sharing your own location.

Finding coordinates on a computer

Open Google Maps in your web browser and search for the address or place you want. Once the map loads and shows that location, right-click directly on the spot. A small menu will appear with options like "What's here?" at the top.

Click anywhere in that menu or just look at the bottom of your screen — a small information box will pop up showing the coordinates. The numbers appear in the format latitude, longitude. You can click on the coordinates themselves to copy them to your clipboard, then paste them anywhere you need them.

If you want to find coordinates for a named place (a restaurant, park, or address), search for it first using the search box at the top left. Once Google Maps shows you the location, right-click on the marker or the building itself. The coordinates will appear in the same way.

Finding coordinates on your phone

Open the Google Maps app and search for the location or navigate to it on the map. Once you can see the place you want, press and hold your finger on that exact spot for about two seconds. Do not swipe or drag — just hold steady.

A card will slide up from the bottom of your screen showing the place name (if it has one) and the coordinates below it. The coordinates appear as two numbers separated by a comma. Tap on the coordinates themselves to copy them, then you can paste them into messages, notes, or any other app.

If you are looking up a named place like a business or address, search for it first using the search box at the bottom. Once the map shows the location and a card appears with the place name, the coordinates will be displayed right there — you do not need to long-press again.

Copying and using coordinates

Once you have the coordinates, you can use them in several ways. The simplest is to paste them back into Google Maps on any device — just open the search box and paste the numbers, and Google Maps will take you to that exact spot. This works whether you are on your phone, tablet, or computer.

You can also share coordinates with other people. Text them the numbers, email them, or add them to a document. Anyone with those coordinates can paste them into Google Maps and find the same location. This is useful when you want to tell someone exactly where to meet you or where you found something.

Some other apps and websites also accept coordinates in this format. GPS devices, hiking apps, and mapping software often let you enter latitude and longitude to navigate. Check the app's instructions to see if it accepts coordinates and what format it needs.

Understanding the coordinate format

Google Maps uses decimal degrees, which means the coordinates are shown as two numbers with decimal points rather than degrees, minutes, and seconds. The first number is always latitude (north-south position), and the second is always longitude (east-west position).

Latitude ranges from -90 (South Pole) to +90 (North Pole). Longitude ranges from -180 to +180. Negative numbers mean south or west; positive numbers mean north or east. For example, New York City is around 40.7128, -74.0060 — positive latitude (north) and negative longitude (west).

You do not need to understand what these numbers mean to use them. Just copy them exactly as Google Maps shows them, including the comma and the decimal point. If you paste them into Google Maps, it will find the right location regardless of whether you understand the math behind them.

What to do if coordinates do not appear

If you right-click or long-press and no coordinates show up, make sure you are clicking on the map itself, not on a building outline or a place name. Click on an empty area of the map, or click directly on the map background. The coordinates should appear in a box at the bottom of your screen (computer) or in a card at the bottom (phone).

On a phone, if the card that appears shows only the place name and no coordinates, scroll down in that card. Sometimes the coordinates are below the initial information. If you still do not see them, try long-pressing on a slightly different spot on the map.

If you are using an older version of Google Maps or a different mapping app, the process may be slightly different. The steps above work for the current versions of Google Maps on both computers and phones. If you are using a different app, check that app's help section for how to view coordinates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I search for a location using coordinates instead of an address?

Yes. Open Google Maps, click the search box, and paste or type the coordinates in the format latitude, longitude (for example, 40.7128, -74.0060). Google Maps will take you to that exact spot. You can also use coordinates with a plus sign between them, like 40.7128+-74.0060, and it will work the same way.

Are the coordinates I find on Google Maps accurate?

Google Maps coordinates are accurate to within a few meters for most locations. They are precise enough for navigation, sharing a meeting spot, or finding a place again. If you need extreme precision for surveying or scientific work, you may need specialized GPS equipment, but for everyday use Google Maps coordinates are reliable.

Do I need to be online to see coordinates on Google Maps?

On a computer, you need an internet connection to use Google Maps at all. On a phone, if you have downloaded offline maps for an area, you can view coordinates for those areas without internet, but most people use Google Maps while connected. The coordinates themselves do not require any special connection — they are just numbers.

Can I save coordinates for places I visit often?

You can save places in Google Maps by clicking the star icon on a location's card. This adds it to your "Saved" list, and you can view it anytime without searching again. The coordinates stay the same, so if you need them later, you can find them the same way — right-click or long-press the saved location.

What is the difference between the coordinates Google Maps shows and GPS coordinates?

They are the same thing. GPS (Global Positioning System) uses latitude and longitude coordinates, and Google Maps displays those same coordinates. When your phone's GPS finds your location, it is finding latitude and longitude numbers. Google Maps just shows you those numbers in a readable format.