Creating a custom map on Google Maps takes about five minutes and requires only a Google account
Google Maps lets you build your own map by marking locations, drawing routes, and adding notes. You can keep it private, share it with specific people, or make it public. The map lives in Google My Maps, a separate tool within Google Maps that stores all your custom creations.
You start by going to mymaps.google.com, signing in with your Google account, and clicking "Create a new map." From there you add pins, lines, and shapes directly to the map canvas. Each location can have a title, description, and photo. When you are done, you share it by copying a link or inviting specific people by email.
Key Takeaways
- Google My Maps is the tool for creating custom maps, separate from the regular Google Maps app on your phone or computer.
- You can add individual locations as pins, draw routes as lines, and shade areas as shapes, each with titles and descriptions.
- Maps can be kept private, shared with a link, or shared with specific people by email address.
- Custom maps work on both desktop and mobile, though the desktop version has more editing tools.
Starting a new map in Google My Maps
Open a web browser and go to mymaps.google.com. Sign in with the Google account you use for Gmail or other Google services. If you are not signed in, you will see a sign-in button in the top right corner.
Click the red "Create a new map" button. A new blank map will open with a search box at the top and a blank canvas below. The map starts zoomed to show the whole world. You can zoom in or out using the scroll wheel on your mouse, or the plus and minus buttons in the bottom right corner of the map.
At the top left, you will see a text field that says "Untitled map." Click it and type a name for your map. You can also add a description by clicking the three-dot menu next to the map name and selecting "Map details."
Adding locations as pins to your map
Click the marker icon in the toolbar on the left side of the screen. It looks like a teardrop with a dot inside. Then click anywhere on the map where you want to place a pin. A popup will appear asking you to name the location.
Type a title for the pin — for example, "Coffee shop on Main Street" or "Mom's house." Press Enter or click outside the text box. The pin now appears on your map with a label.
To add more details, click the pin again. A card will open on the left side showing the location name. Click "Add description" to write notes, add a photo, or change the pin color. You can upload a photo from your computer or paste a link to an image. When you are done editing, click elsewhere on the map to close the card.
You can also search for a specific address instead of clicking the map. Click the search box at the top, type an address or business name, and press Enter. The location will appear on the map. Click it and then click the marker icon to add it to your custom map.
Drawing lines and shapes on your map
The toolbar on the left has three drawing tools below the marker icon. The line tool draws routes or paths. The shape tool draws polygons — closed areas like neighborhoods or park boundaries. The text tool adds labels without a pin.
To draw a line, click the line icon and then click points on the map in order. Each click adds a point. Double-click to finish the line. A card will open on the left where you can name the line, add a description, and change its color and thickness.
To draw a shape, click the shape icon and click points around the perimeter of the area you want to shade. Double-click to close the shape. You can then name it, add a description, and choose a fill color and outline color from the card on the left.
Organizing locations into layers
If your map has many pins and shapes, you can organize them into layers. Layers are like folders — each layer groups related items together. For example, you might have one layer for restaurants, another for parks, and another for hiking trails.
Look for the "Layers" section in the left panel. Click "Add layer" and give it a name. Now when you add new pins, lines, or shapes, you can choose which layer they go into by clicking the layer name before you draw.
You can hide or show entire layers by clicking the eye icon next to the layer name. This is useful if your map is crowded and you want to focus on one category at a time. You can also delete a layer by clicking the three-dot menu next to its name.
Sharing your map with others
When your map is finished, click the "Share" button in the top right. A dialog box will appear with sharing options. By default, only you can see the map. You can change this in three ways.
To share with a link, click "Change" next to "Who has access." Select "Anyone with the link" and copy the URL. Anyone you send the link to can view the map in their browser. They cannot edit it unless you give them editor permission.
To share with specific people, select "Restricted" and then click "Add people." Type the email addresses of the people you want to share with. You can give each person "Viewer" permission (they can only see the map) or "Editor" permission (they can add and change locations). Click "Share" and Google will send them an email with a link to the map.
To make the map public, select "Anyone on the internet" in the sharing dialog. Anyone who finds the link can view it, but only you can edit it unless you add them as an editor.
Editing and managing your maps
All your custom maps are stored in Google My Maps. You can return to mymaps.google.com at any time to edit, delete, or create new maps. Your maps are saved automatically as you work, so you do not need to click a save button.
To edit a map you created before, go to mymaps.google.com and click the map name from the list. You can then add more pins, edit descriptions, change colors, or delete items. Click on any pin or shape and then click the trash icon to remove it.
You can also access your maps from the regular Google Maps app on your phone or computer. Open Google Maps, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines), and select "Your places." Click "Maps" to see all your custom maps. On mobile, you can view your maps but editing is limited — most changes are easier to make on a computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Google My Maps on my phone?
Yes, you can view and add straightforward pins to your maps using the Google Maps app on iPhone or Android. Open Google Maps, tap the menu, select "Your places," and tap "Maps." Tap a map to open it. To add a location, search for it and tap the name, then tap "Add to a list" and select your custom map. Full editing is easier on a computer.
What happens if I delete a map?
The map is permanently removed and cannot be recovered. All pins, lines, shapes, and descriptions are deleted. If other people have the link, they will no longer be able to access it. Make sure you really want to delete it before you confirm.
Can I export my map or read it as a file?
Google My Maps does not have a built-in export feature. However, you can take screenshots of your map, or you can share the link with someone who can view it. Some third-party tools can convert Google My Maps to other formats, but these are not made by Google.
How many locations can I add to one map?
Google does not publish a hard limit, but maps with thousands of pins may load slowly. For very large projects, consider splitting locations across multiple maps or using layers to organize them.
Can I edit a map that someone shared with me?
Only if the person who created the map gave you editor permission when they shared it. If you only have viewer permission, you can see the map but cannot add or change anything. Ask the map owner to change your permission if you need to edit it.