How to create a Google Maps QR code
- Open the place in Google Maps, copy the full link from the browser's address bar and paste it into Google Maps link – latitude and longitude are filled in automatically.
- Or enter the coordinates yourself. In Google Maps on a computer, right-click the spot and click the numbers at the top of the menu to copy them.
- Choose how the code opens – Google Maps works on every phone – and download the code.
Google Maps link or geo: link?
| Option | Link in the code | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Google Maps (every phone) | https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=48.8584,2.2945 | Opens the Google Maps app, or Google Maps in the browser if the app is not installed – on Android and iPhone. |
| Default map app | geo:48.8584,2.2945 | Opens the default map app on Android. Many iPhones do not open geo: links. |
The Google Maps option is the safe choice for posters, flyers and signs that everybody scans.
Which links and coordinates work
- Place links such as
google.com/maps/place/…/data=…!3d48.8583701!4d2.2944813– the exact position of the place is used. - Map links with
@48.8584,2.2945,17z– the center of the map view is used. - Search links with
?q=48.8584,2.2945,geo:links and plain coordinates such as48.8584, 2.2945. - Short links like
maps.app.goo.gl/…contain no coordinates: open them in the browser first and copy the full link from the address bar.
Coordinates are decimal degrees; places south of the equator or west of Greenwich have negative values, e.g. the Sydney Opera House at -33.8568, 151.2153.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an address instead of coordinates?
The code is made from coordinates, which point to an exact spot – an entrance, a parking lot or a meeting point in a park. To use an address, search for it in Google Maps and paste the link.
Why are no coordinates found in my link?
Shortened links such as maps.app.goo.gl do not contain coordinates. Open the link in your browser, wait until the map has loaded and copy the long link from the address bar.
Does the code work without the Google Maps app?
Yes. The link opens Google Maps in the browser, where people can see the place and start directions.
Does a location QR code expire?
No. The coordinates are stored in the code itself, so it works for as long as the place exists.