How To Enter Coordinates In Google Maps

Have you ever wanted to navigate to a specific location using Google Maps, but weren’t sure how to enter the coordinates? Well, fear not! In this article, I will guide you through the process of entering coordinates in Google Maps and help you unlock the power of precise location navigation.

Why Use Coordinates in Google Maps?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of entering coordinates, let’s take a moment to understand why you would want to use coordinates in Google Maps. While searching for addresses or landmarks is convenient, coordinates provide a level of accuracy that traditional search methods may not offer. Coordinates allow you to pinpoint an exact location on the Earth’s surface, making it ideal for situations where you need to navigate to remote or obscure places.

Getting Started with Entering Coordinates

To get started, open Google Maps on your preferred device. Once you have the map open, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the search bar at the top of the screen.
  2. Type or paste the coordinates into the search bar. The format for coordinates is typically latitude followed by longitude, separated by a comma.
  3. Press Enter or click on the search button.

For example, if you want to enter the coordinates for the Statue of Liberty in New York City, you would enter the following in the search bar: 40.6892° N, 74.0445° W.

Using Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds

While the decimal format (degrees and decimals) is commonly used for coordinates, Google Maps also accepts coordinates in degrees, minutes, and seconds (DMS) format. This format can be useful if you have coordinates in this format or if you prefer to work with DMS coordinates.

To enter coordinates in DMS format, follow these steps:

  1. Open Google Maps and click on the search bar.
  2. Type the degrees of latitude, followed by a space.
  3. Type the minutes of latitude, followed by a space.
  4. Type the seconds of latitude, followed by a space.
  5. Type the direction (N, S, E, or W) for latitude, followed by a comma.
  6. Type the degrees of longitude, followed by a space.
  7. Type the minutes of longitude, followed by a space.
  8. Type the seconds of longitude, followed by a space.
  9. Type the direction (N, S, E, or W) for longitude.
  10. Press Enter or click on the search button.

For example, if you want to enter the coordinates for the Eiffel Tower in Paris using DMS format, you would enter the following in the search bar: 48° 51′ 29.6″ N, 2° 17′ 40.2″ E.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Here are a few additional tips and tricks to help you make the most out of entering coordinates in Google Maps:

  • If you ever need to share specific coordinates with someone, you can right-click on a location in Google Maps and select “What’s here?”. The coordinates will appear in the search bar, allowing you to easily copy and share them.
  • If you’re navigating to a location using coordinates on your mobile device, you can enter the coordinates into a note-taking app or a messaging app. Then, simply long-press the coordinates and select “Open in Maps” to open Google Maps with the coordinates pre-filled.
  • In the rare case that Google Maps cannot find the exact coordinates you entered, try adjusting the format of the coordinates or double-check their accuracy.

Conclusion

Entering coordinates in Google Maps is a powerful way to navigate to precise locations on the Earth’s surface. Whether you’re exploring remote areas, planning outdoor adventures, or simply curious about a specific location, using coordinates in Google Maps opens up a new world of accuracy and precision. So the next time you need to navigate somewhere with pinpoint accuracy, don’t forget to give coordinates a try!