Street View shows you ground-level photos of real streets and locations

Street View is a feature inside Google Earth that displays photographs taken from street level, letting you see what a place actually looks like from the ground. Instead of looking down at a map or aerial view, you can stand virtually on a sidewalk, in a park, or at a landmark and see the surroundings as if you were there. Google has collected these images over many years by driving camera-equipped vehicles through cities and towns, and by gathering photos from users and partners.

Street View works on computers, tablets, and phones. The coverage varies by location — major cities and popular tourist destinations usually have recent images, while rural areas and small towns may have older photos or no coverage at all. You can use Street View to preview a neighborhood before visiting, check what a business looks like from outside, or explore places you cannot reach in person.

Key Takeaways

  • Street View is built into Google Earth and shows ground-level photographs of streets, parks, and landmarks around the world.
  • On a computer, drag the Pegman icon (the yellow figure) onto the map to activate Street View, or double-click a blue line on the map.
  • On a phone or tablet, tap a location on the map and select the Street View thumbnail image to enter the view.
  • You can move forward and backward along streets, look in any direction, and zoom in and out to see details.
  • Not all locations have Street View coverage; rural areas and private properties are typically unavailable.

Activating Street View on a computer

Open Google Earth in your web browser by going to google.com/earth. Once the map loads, look for the Pegman — a small yellow figure in the bottom right corner of the screen. Click and drag Pegman onto any blue line on the map. Blue lines indicate streets where Street View images exist. When you release Pegman, the view switches to ground level and you see the street as if you are standing there.

Alternatively, you can double-click directly on a blue line on the map to jump into Street View at that location. If you see a location you want to explore but are not sure if Street View is available, try dragging Pegman there first — if Street View does not exist at that spot, Pegman will snap back to his original position.

Navigating Street View on a computer

Once you are in Street View, use your mouse to look around. Click and drag to pan left, right, up, or down. Scroll your mouse wheel forward to zoom in on details, or backward to zoom out and see a wider view. The compass in the top right shows which direction you are facing.

To move along the street, look for white arrows on the ground or blue lines ahead. Click an arrow or line to step forward in that direction. Some intersections show multiple arrows — click the one pointing the way you want to go. You can also use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move forward, backward, or turn left and right.

Using Street View on a phone or tablet

Open Google Earth on your phone or tablet and tap a location on the map. A panel appears at the bottom showing information about that place. Look for a thumbnail image labeled "Street View" — it shows a preview of the ground-level photo. Tap that thumbnail to enter Street View.

Once in Street View, tilt your phone or tablet to look around — the view follows the direction your device is pointing. You can also tap and drag on the screen to pan. Swipe forward on the screen to move along the street, or tap the arrows that appear on the ground. Pinch to zoom in and out.

Understanding Street View coverage and image dates

Street View coverage is not uniform worldwide. Major cities in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia have extensive coverage with images updated every few years. Rural areas, small towns, and developing regions may have limited or outdated coverage. Some countries restrict Street View entirely for privacy or security reasons.

To see when the images at your current location were taken, look for a date label in the top left corner of Street View. If you see multiple dates listed, Google has photographed that location more than once. You can sometimes switch between different years to see how a place has changed over time. Click the date to see a timeline of available images.

What you cannot see in Street View

Street View shows only what is visible from public streets and spaces. Private property, the interiors of buildings, and gated areas are not included. Google blurs faces and license plates automatically to protect privacy, though the blurring is not perfect. Some businesses and homeowners request that Google remove their images from Street View, so you may see blank or pixelated areas.

Certain locations are restricted for security reasons — military bases, government buildings, and some infrastructure sites do not appear in Street View. If you are looking for a specific address and cannot find it, the location may fall into one of these categories, or Street View simply has not been collected there yet.

Tips for getting the most from Street View

Use Street View to preview neighborhoods before moving or visiting. Walk the virtual streets around a potential apartment, school, or workplace to see what the area is really like. Check what a restaurant or shop looks like from the outside before you go, or see if a hiking trail has parking and facilities nearby.

Street View is also useful for research and planning. Journalists and historians use it to document places and changes over time. Students use it to explore landmarks and geography. If you are planning a trip, Street View lets you scout locations, find landmarks, and get comfortable with an area before you arrive in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do some streets show a blank or pixelated area?

Google blurs faces, license plates, and sometimes entire buildings or vehicles for privacy. Property owners can also request that their homes or businesses be removed from Street View. If you see a blank area, it means either the image was blurred for privacy or the location is restricted.

Can I see inside buildings with Street View?

Street View shows only what is visible from public streets and outdoor spaces. Some museums, landmarks, and businesses have uploaded interior panoramic images that you can access through Google Earth, but these are separate from the standard Street View and are not available everywhere.

How old are the Street View images?

Image age varies by location. Major cities may have photos from the past year or two, while rural areas might show images that are five to ten years old. Check the date label in the top left corner of Street View to see when that specific location was photographed.

Does Street View work offline?

No, Street View requires an internet connection because the images are stored on Google's servers. You cannot download Street View images to view offline, though you can take screenshots of what you see.

Is Street View available in my country?

Coverage varies widely. Most of North America, Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia have Street View. Some countries restrict or do not allow Street View for privacy or political reasons. The best way to check is to open Google Earth and look for blue lines on the map in your area of interest.