Google Maps does not offer a menu option for obtaining the coordinates - latitude and longitude - of a location. However, there are several ways to extract the coordinates, and this how-to covers the two best options. You may also send the coordinates of a location directly from Google Maps to a GPS device, and that is covered in a separate how-to.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 5 minutes
Here's How:
Method one involves the use of a simple snippet of code in your browser's address bar. Go to Google Maps.
- Find the location for which you would like to obtain coordinates in Google Maps.
- Right click on your chosen location, and select "center map here."
Clear the browser's address bar (not the Google Maps search bar), then copy and paste the snippet of javascript code below into the address bar, and hit "enter."
javascript:void(prompt('',gApplication.getMap().getCenter()));
- This will activate a small pop-up window that will show the coordinates for the centered location in decimal format. You may copy and paste these coordinates wherever needed.
Method two uses Google Maps' "send to GPS" feature. By the way, if you are trying to export coordinates from Google Maps into a GPS device, see my separate how-to on that topic.
- Click on "send" in the upper right of Google Maps, or "send" from the info pop-up box on your chosen location.
- Select "e-mail" as the method of sending the location.
- The latitude and longitude coordinates will appear in the e-mail send window just after the location's address, and may be copied and pasted wherever needed.
- There are other ways of extracting coordinates from Google Maps, but these are the two best methods that don't require add-ons.
Tips:
- The FCC offers a good site for converting the various latitude and longitude formats (decimal and minutes/seconds).
What You Need:
- Google Maps
