Creating a custom map saves your favorite places in one organized list that you can view, edit, and share with others

A custom map in Google Maps lets you mark specific locations, add notes to each one, and organize them by category. Unlike your regular saved places, a custom map is a single document you can name, update, and share with friends, family, or colleagues. You create it through Google My Maps, which is Google's tool for building personalized maps without needing any technical skills.

The process takes about five minutes to set up. You start by opening Google My Maps in a web browser, creating a new map, and then adding locations one at a time. Each location can have a custom icon, a label, and a description. Once you finish, you can share the map with specific people or make it public so anyone with the link can view it.

Key Takeaways

  • Custom maps are created through Google My Maps (maps.google.com/maps/d), not the regular Google Maps app, and require a Google account.
  • You add locations by searching for them by name or address, clicking on the map, or uploading a list of addresses from a spreadsheet.
  • Each location can have its own icon color, label, and description so you can organize and annotate your map.
  • You control who sees your map by changing sharing settings from private (only you) to specific people or public (anyone with the link).

Opening Google My Maps and starting a new map

Go to maps.google.com/maps/d in any web browser. This is different from the regular Google Maps site. You will need to sign in with your Google account — if you do not have one, you can create one for free at accounts.google.com.

Once you are signed in, click the red Create button in the upper left. Google will open a blank map with a search box at the top and a layers panel on the left side. The map starts zoomed to show the entire world. Give your map a name by clicking Untitled map at the top and typing a new title — something like "Coffee shops I want to try" or "Summer road trip stops".

Adding locations to your map

There are three ways to add a location. The easiest is to use the search box at the top of the map. Type the name of a place, an address, or a business — for example, "Olive Garden, Portland Oregon" or "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC". Google will show search results below the box. Click the result you want, and it will appear on your map as a red marker.

The second way is to click directly on the map where you want to add a location. A marker will appear, and a small window will pop up asking you to name it. Type the location name and press Enter. You can then click the marker again to add more details like a description or a custom icon.

The third way is to upload a list. If you have addresses in a spreadsheet or document, you can paste them into your map all at once. Click the Import option (usually in the menu next to Create), paste your list, and Google will place all the locations on the map automatically. This is useful if you are mapping a route with many stops or a list of store locations.

Customizing markers and adding details

Each marker on your map can look different and hold its own information. Click any marker to open a small card. Click the pencil icon to edit it. You can change the marker's color and icon — Google offers dozens of preset icons like stars, hearts, shopping carts, and numbers. Choose an icon that matches the type of location, so your map is straightforward to scan at a glance.

In the same editing window, you can add a title and description. The title appears when someone hovers over the marker. The description is longer text that shows when they click it — use this space to add notes like "Try the margherita pizza" or "Open until 10 PM on weekends". You can also add a photo by uploading an image file from your computer.

If you have many locations, organize them into layers. A layer is like a folder or category. Click Add layer in the left panel and name it — for example, "Restaurants" or "Museums". Then drag existing markers into that layer, or add new markers directly to it. Layers let you turn groups of locations on and off, so you can focus on one category at a time.

Sharing your map with others

Click the Share button in the upper right. A window will open with three sharing options. The first is Private — only you can see the map. The second is Anyone with the link — anyone you send the link to can view it, but they cannot edit it. The third is Public — anyone on the internet can find it if they search for it by name.

For most uses, Anyone with the link is the safest choice. Copy the link and send it to the people you want to share it with. They do not need a Google account to view it. If you want specific people to be able to edit the map alongside you, click the dropdown next to their email address and choose Editor instead of Viewer.

If you change your mind about sharing, you can return to the Share button and change the setting back to Private at any time. Existing links will stop working if you switch to Private.

Editing and updating your map later

Your custom map stays in your Google account and you can edit it whenever you want. Go back to maps.google.com/maps/d and click on the map name to open it. You can add new locations, delete old ones, change colors and icons, or update descriptions. If you shared the map with editors, they will see your changes in real time.

If you want to read your map as a file, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select read. Google will save it as a KML file, which you can open in other mapping programs or import into another Google My Maps document later.

Common reasons custom maps do not work as expected

If your markers are not showing up, check that the layer they are on is turned on — look at the left panel and make sure the eye icon next to the layer is visible, not hidden. If you cannot find a location when you search for it, try typing the full address instead of just the business name, or search for a nearby landmark instead.

If someone you shared the map with cannot see it, ask them to check their email for the link — sometimes sharing emails go to spam. If they still cannot access it, go back to the Share button and make sure the setting is not set to Private. If you want them to edit the map, confirm that you chose Editor and not just Viewer when you added their email.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Google My Maps on my phone?

Yes, you can view and edit custom maps in the Google Maps app on iPhone or Android. Open the app, tap the menu icon (three lines), scroll to Your places, and tap Maps. Your custom maps will appear in the list. You can add locations and edit details from your phone, though the full editing experience is easier on a computer.

What is the difference between a custom map and saving a place?

Saving a place adds it to your regular saved list in Google Maps, which is just a long list organized by category. A custom map is a separate document where you control the organization, icons, colors, and descriptions. Custom maps are better for projects or trips where you want to group related locations together.

Can I embed my custom map on a website?

Yes. Open your custom map, click the menu icon, and select Embed on my website. Google will give you a code snippet you can paste into your website's HTML. The map will appear as an interactive embed that visitors can zoom and pan.

How many locations can I add to one map?

Google does not publish a hard limit, but custom maps work best with a few hundred locations. If you are mapping thousands of addresses, consider splitting them into multiple maps or using a spreadsheet with a mapping tool instead.

If I delete a location from my map, can I get it back?

Google My Maps does not have an undo button for deleted locations, so be careful when removing markers. If you delete something by accident, you will need to add it back manually. If you shared the map with editors, they cannot undo your deletions either.