Getting coordinates from Google Maps on desktop and mobile

You can find the latitude and longitude of any location on Google Maps in seconds. On a computer, right-click the spot you want and select "What's here?" — the coordinates appear in a small box at the bottom of the screen. On a phone or tablet, tap and hold the location until a card pops up showing the address; tap the coordinates at the top of that card to copy them.

The numbers you see are in decimal degrees format: latitude first (how far north or south), then longitude (how far east or west). For example, the Statue of Liberty shows as 40.6892° N, 74.0445° W. You can copy these directly into another app, email them to someone, or paste them into a navigation tool.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click any location on Google Maps desktop and select "What's here?" to see coordinates in a box at the bottom of the screen.
  • On mobile, tap and hold a location until a card appears, then tap the coordinates shown at the top to copy them.
  • Google Maps shows coordinates in decimal degrees format, with latitude listed first and longitude second.
  • Copied coordinates work in most mapping apps, GPS devices, and location-sharing tools without reformatting.

Finding coordinates on a computer

Open Google Maps in your web browser and locate the place you want. You can search for an address, a business name, or a landmark — or simply navigate the map by scrolling and zooming. Once you can see the spot, right-click directly on it.

A menu appears with several options. Click "What's here?" at the top of that menu. A small information card opens at the bottom of your screen showing the address and, directly below it, the latitude and longitude in decimal degrees. Click the coordinates themselves to copy them to your clipboard, or click the card to open the full location details in a side panel.

Finding coordinates on a phone or tablet

Open the Google Maps app and search for or navigate to the location. Tap and hold your finger on the exact spot for about one second — do not swipe or drag, just press and hold. A red pin drops on that location and a card slides up from the bottom of the screen.

The card shows the address at the top, and directly above the address you will see the coordinates in decimal degrees format. Tap those coordinates once to copy them. You can then paste them into another app, a text message, or an email. If you need more details about the location, tap the card itself to open the full information panel.

Understanding the coordinate format Google Maps uses

Google Maps displays coordinates as decimal degrees, which looks like this: 40.7128, -74.0060. The first number is latitude (position north or south of the equator), and the second is longitude (position east or west of the prime meridian). The negative sign on the longitude means it is west of the prime meridian; positive numbers are east.

This format is the most common for online maps, GPS devices, and location-sharing tools. You do not need to convert it — most apps recognize decimal degrees automatically. If you see coordinates written with degree symbols (°), minutes ('), and seconds (") instead, those are in a different format called degrees-minutes-seconds, but Google Maps will not show you that format by default.

Sharing coordinates with others

Once you have copied the coordinates, you can paste them into an email, text message, or any messaging app. The person receiving them can paste those same numbers into Google Maps search bar, and the map will jump directly to that spot. This is faster and more precise than describing a location in words, especially for remote areas or places without well-known addresses.

You can also share a location link directly from Google Maps instead of copying coordinates. On desktop, click the "Share" button in the location card; on mobile, tap the location card and then tap "Share." This creates a link that opens the map at that exact spot when someone clicks it, which is often easier than pasting raw numbers.

Using coordinates in other apps and tools

Most mapping and navigation apps accept decimal degree coordinates. You can paste them into Apple Maps, Waze, or any GPS device that has a search function. Some apps ask you to enter coordinates in a specific order or format, so check the app's instructions if the numbers do not work on the first try.

Coordinates are also useful for weather apps, hiking and outdoor apps, and location-based services. If an app asks for "latitude and longitude" or "coordinates," decimal degrees from Google Maps will work. Some specialized tools like surveying software or scientific mapping platforms may need a different format, but for everyday navigation and location sharing, Google Maps coordinates work as-is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my longitude have a negative sign?

Negative longitude means the location is west of the prime meridian (a line running through Greenwich, London). Most of North America, South America, and western Europe have negative longitude. Positive longitude is east of that line. The sign is part of the coordinate system and does not affect how the numbers work in other apps.

Can I search Google Maps using coordinates instead of an address?

Yes. Paste the coordinates directly into the Google Maps search bar on desktop or mobile, and the map will jump to that spot. You can use decimal degrees (40.7128, -74.0060) or degrees-minutes-seconds format. Google Maps recognizes both.

What if I need coordinates in a different format?

Google Maps only displays decimal degrees. If you need degrees-minutes-seconds or another format, you can use a free online converter tool — search "decimal degrees to DMS converter" and paste your coordinates. Most navigation and mapping apps work with decimal degrees, so conversion is usually not necessary.

Do coordinates change if I zoom in or out on the map?

No. The coordinates for a specific location stay the same regardless of zoom level. Zooming in or out only changes what area of the map you see, not the numbers for the spot you selected.