How to Find (and Enter) Coordinates on Google Maps

GPS coordinates pinpoint a spot more precisely than an address, which is handy for trailheads, campsites, a meeting point in a big park, a rural property, or sharing where your car broke down. Google Maps shows the latitude and longitude of any location, and you can also paste coordinates into Maps to find a place. This guide covers both directions on a computer, Android, and iPhone.

Quick Answer

Computer: Right-click a spot on the map. The coordinates (like 40.74844, -73.98566) appear at the top of the menu; click them to copy. Android: Touch and hold the spot to drop a pin; the coordinates appear in the search box. iPhone: Touch and hold to drop a pin, then swipe up on the place card to see the coordinates.

Understanding the Numbers

• The first number is latitude (north/south). Positive is north of the equator, negative is south.
• The second number is longitude (east/west). Positive is east of the Prime Meridian, negative is west (the Americas are negative).
• Google Maps shows decimal degrees (DD), such as 40.74844, -73.98566. Five decimal places are accurate to about a meter.

Find Coordinates on a Computer

1. Open Google Maps in your browser.
2. Find the location and right-click the exact spot.
3. The latitude and longitude appear at the top of the menu. Click them to copy them to your clipboard.

Alternatively, click the spot once to drop a small pin. A card at the bottom of the screen shows the coordinates; click them to open the place panel with full details.

Find Coordinates on Android

1. Open the Google Maps app.
2. Touch and hold the spot until a red pin drops.
3. The coordinates appear in the search box at the top. Tap them, or open the place card at the bottom and tap the coordinates to copy them.

Find Coordinates on iPhone or iPad

1. Open the Google Maps app.
2. Touch and hold the location to drop a pin.
3. Swipe up on the Dropped pin card at the bottom.
4. The coordinates are listed with a location icon. Tap them to copy.

Find the Coordinates of Your Current Location

1. Tap the My location button (the target icon) so the blue dot is centered.
2. Touch and hold the blue dot (or right-click it on a computer) to drop a pin there.
3. Read or copy the coordinates as described above.

Accuracy depends on your GPS signal. Outdoors with a clear sky view is best.

Enter Coordinates to Find a Place

1. In the Google Maps search box, type or paste the coordinates, latitude first, like 40.74844, -73.98566.
2. Press Enter (or tap Search). A pin appears at that exact point.
3. Tap Directions to navigate there.

Google Maps accepts these formats:

Format	Example
Decimal degrees (DD)	40.74844, -73.98566
Degrees, minutes, seconds (DMS)	40°44’54.4″N 73°59’08.4″W
Degrees and decimal minutes (DMM)	40 44.906, -73 59.140

Use a period for decimals and a comma between latitude and longitude. Make sure you include the minus sign (or N/S/E/W letters); leaving it off can put your pin on the other side of the world.

Share Coordinates

• Copy the coordinates and paste them into a text, email, or chat.
• Or, after dropping a pin, tap Share on the place card to send a Maps link that opens at that exact spot.
• In an emergency, read your coordinates to the dispatcher. Many emergency services can also locate phones automatically.

Related: how to Find Pinned Locations on Google Maps.

Troubleshooting

• No coordinates in the menu: You may have right-clicked a business or landmark icon. Right-click an empty part of the map instead.
• Pin lands in the wrong place: Check the order (latitude first) and the minus signs.
• Coordinates don’t show in the app: Update Google Maps, and make sure you’re touching and holding rather than tapping.

Summary

1. Computer: right-click the spot and click the coordinates to copy them.
2. Android: touch and hold; coordinates appear in the search box.
3. iPhone: touch and hold, then swipe up on the Dropped pin card.
4. To find a place, paste coordinates (latitude first) into the search box.