Getting coordinates from Google Maps takes three clicks on a computer and four taps on a phone

Google Maps displays latitude and longitude coordinates for any location you tap or click. On a computer, right-click the spot on the map and select "What's here?" — the coordinates appear in a small box at the bottom of the screen. On a phone, tap and hold the location until a card pops up at the bottom showing the address and coordinates together. You can copy the numbers directly from either display.

The coordinates appear in decimal format (like 40.7128, -74.0060 for New York City). This is the standard format used by GPS devices, mapping software, and location-sharing tools. You do not need any special settings enabled — location services can be off and you will still see coordinates for any place on the map.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click any spot on Google Maps on a computer and select "What's here?" to see latitude and longitude in a popup box.
  • On a phone or tablet, tap and hold a location until a card appears showing the address and coordinates at the bottom.
  • Coordinates display in decimal degrees format, which works with GPS devices, weather apps, and most mapping software.
  • You can copy coordinates by selecting the numbers in the popup or card, then pasting them into another app or document.
  • Google Maps shows coordinates for any place on Earth, whether or not you have location services turned on.

Finding coordinates on a computer

Open Google Maps in your web browser and navigate to the location you want. You can search for an address, a business name, or a landmark — or straightforward scroll and zoom to find the spot on the map. Once you can see the location, right-click directly on it.

A menu will appear with several options. Click "What's here?" at the top of the menu. A small card will pop up at the bottom of the screen showing the address and the coordinates in two lines: latitude first, then longitude. The numbers will look like 40.7128 and -74.0060. You can click on the coordinates to copy them, or highlight and copy them manually.

If you need coordinates for a business or landmark, you can also click on its name or icon on the map. The information panel on the left will show the address, phone number, and hours — scroll down in that panel to find the coordinates listed at the bottom.

Finding coordinates on a phone or tablet

Open the Google Maps app on your phone or tablet and search for the location or navigate to it by scrolling and zooming. Once you can see the spot on the map, tap and hold your finger on that exact location for about two seconds.

A card will appear at the bottom of the screen showing the address and a label for the location. The coordinates appear as two numbers separated by a comma — latitude and longitude. Tap on the coordinates themselves to copy them to your clipboard, or select and copy them manually. You can then paste them into a text message, email, notes app, or any other app that accepts text.

If you search for a specific place first — a restaurant, park, or street address — you can also tap on the result to open its full information card. Scroll down to the bottom of that card to find the coordinates listed there.

Understanding latitude and longitude format

Google Maps displays coordinates in decimal degrees, which is the most common format for digital maps and GPS devices. Latitude is always listed first (the north-south position), and longitude is second (the east-west position). Negative numbers indicate south latitude or west longitude. For example, 40.7128, -74.0060 means 40.7128 degrees north and 74.0060 degrees west.

This format works directly with GPS receivers, weather apps, hiking apps, and most online mapping tools. If another app or service asks for coordinates, decimal degrees is what they usually want. Some specialized tools accept degrees-minutes-seconds format instead, but you can convert decimal coordinates using an online converter if needed.

Copying and sharing coordinates

Once you have the coordinates on your screen, tap or click on them to copy them automatically. If that does not work, highlight the numbers with your cursor or finger and use your device's copy command (Ctrl+C on Windows, Command+C on Mac, or the copy option in the menu on phones).

You can paste coordinates into email, text messages, documents, or any app that accepts text. Many GPS apps, hiking apps, and weather services have a search box where you can paste coordinates directly to jump to that location. You can also share coordinates by copying them into a message and sending them to someone else — they can paste the same coordinates into Google Maps to see the exact spot.

What to do if coordinates do not appear

If you right-click on the map and "What's here?" does not show up, you may be clicking on a blank area of the map that Google has not fully loaded. Try clicking on a different spot, or zoom in closer to the location and try again. On phones, make sure you are tapping directly on the map itself, not on a search result or information card.

If the coordinates card appears but the numbers are cut off or hard to read, try zooming in on your screen or rotating your phone to landscape mode. On a computer, you can also hover over the coordinates to see if a tooltip shows the full number. If you are still having trouble, try searching for the address first instead of clicking on the map — the search result will show coordinates in the information panel.

Using coordinates in other apps and services

Once you have coordinates from Google Maps, you can use them in many other tools. Paste them into the search box of another mapping app like Apple Maps or Bing Maps to see the same location. Weather apps often have a coordinate search option that lets you get forecasts for exact locations. Hiking and outdoor apps use coordinates to mark waypoints and plan routes.

GPS devices and car navigation systems can accept coordinates as a destination. Some smartphone apps for astronomy, photography, or surveying work with coordinates to help you plan shots or measurements. If you are sharing a location with someone who uses a different device or app, coordinates are often more reliable than a link, because they work across all platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get coordinates for a location without searching for it first?

Yes. You can scroll and zoom anywhere on the map, then right-click (on a computer) or tap and hold (on a phone) any spot to see its coordinates. You do not need to search for a specific address or business — any point on the map has coordinates.

What do the negative numbers in coordinates mean?

Negative numbers indicate direction. A negative latitude means south of the equator, and a negative longitude means west of the prime meridian. Most locations in North America have negative longitude. The numbers themselves are not "wrong" — they are just the standard way GPS systems show position.

Can I paste coordinates into Google Maps to find a location?

Yes. Open Google Maps, click the search box at the top, paste the coordinates, and press Enter. Google Maps will jump to that exact spot on the map. This works with coordinates from any source, not just Google Maps itself.

Do I need location services turned on to see coordinates?

No. Location services only affect whether Google Maps can show your current position with a blue dot. You can see coordinates for any location on the map whether location services are on or off.

What if the coordinates I copied are not working in another app?

Check that you copied the full numbers including any decimal points and negative signs. Some apps want coordinates in a different format — try pasting them with the latitude and longitude separated by a comma and a space, like "40.7128, -74.0060". If the app still does not recognize them, look for a format option in that app's settings.