Location technology
How to Find the Coordinates of a Place
Practical ways to get the latitude and longitude of any location: from a map, a phone, a photo or a code, plus tips for checking the result.
Updated 14 October 2026 · 3 min read
You can find the coordinates of a place by choosing it on a digital map, by reading your phone's current position, or by looking it up from an address, a photo or a short location code. Which method is best depends on whether you are at the place or only need to identify it from somewhere else.
From a map
Most web and app maps let you select any point and read its coordinates:
- Open the map and zoom in on the place.
- Press and hold (on a phone) or right-click (on a computer) on the exact spot.
- Look for the pair of numbers in the pop-up, search box or information panel.
Zoom in as far as you can before choosing. At a low zoom, one tap can be tens of metres off the point you meant. The zoom levels guide shows why.
From your own position
If you are standing at the place, a phone map app can show your current coordinates. Allow location access, wait a few seconds for the position to settle, and avoid doing this indoors or between tall buildings if you can. Phone positioning is explained in why phone GPS is sometimes inaccurate.
From an address
Searching an address in a mapping tool uses geocoding to return coordinates. The result is usually good for locating a street or area, but it can be an interpolated point along the street rather than the actual entrance. Treat it as an approximation unless the source states otherwise.
From a photo
Some phone photos store the position where they were taken in their metadata. Your photo or file viewer may show it under location or details. Not all photos have it, and it can be removed when images are shared, which is related to the topics in location privacy and consent.
From a location code
A system such as UPCS lets you choose a spot on the map and receive a short code for it. When you open a code on upcs.io, the lookup page shows the latitude and longitude and offers a Copy coordinates option.
Checking the result
- Paste the numbers back into a map and confirm the marker is on the right building or corner.
- Check the order and signs, as covered in latitude first or longitude first.
- Keep about five decimal places for a result accurate to roughly a metre; see decimal places and precision.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get the coordinates of where I am standing?
Open a map app on your phone, allow location access and touch the blue dot. Most apps show the latitude and longitude in the information panel.
Can I find coordinates from an address?
Yes. A geocoding service converts an address into approximate coordinates, though the result may be the street or building centre rather than the exact doorway.