Location QR Code Generator
Encode a GPS coordinate into a QR code. Scanning opens the user's default maps app (Apple Maps, Google Maps, etc.) at that exact latitude/longitude — perfect for event venues, trailheads, and meeting points without an address.
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A location QR code encodes a geo: URI (geo:<lat>,<lng>). When scanned, the phone opens the user's default maps app — Apple Maps on iPhone, Google Maps on most Android phones — centred on that exact coordinate. Perfect for meeting points, trailheads, event venues without a fixed street address, geocaches, and rural properties where the postal address doesn't drop a pin in the right place.
How the Location QR code actually works
The geo: URI is standardised in RFC 5870 and understood by every major mobile OS: iOS routes geo: to Apple Maps, Android routes it to Google Maps (or the user's chosen map app). Coordinates are decimal degrees — 37.7749, -122.4194 is downtown San Francisco. Some third-party apps also accept an optional altitude (geo:lat,lng,alt) and a query parameter (?q=place+name), but not all readers respect them, so this generator keeps to the widely-supported lat,lng form.
Common mistakes and limitations of Location QR codes
The geo: URI only carries coordinates — it can't include a place name, address label, or a routing preference (driving vs walking). If you want a labelled pin with a name, use a URL QR pointing to a Google Maps or Apple Maps share link instead. Coordinate precision matters: 4 decimal places (~11 metres) is usually enough for a meeting spot, 6 places (~10 cm) is only useful for surveying. And some Android phones without a default maps app configured will prompt the user to pick an app the first time.
Location QR code FAQ
- Where do I find latitude and longitude?
- In Google Maps, right-click any point on the map and the coordinates appear at the top of the menu, ready to copy.
- Which maps app opens?
- Whatever's set as the user's default — Apple Maps on iPhone, Google Maps on most Android phones. The geo: standard is universally supported.
- Can I include a place name?
- Not in a pure geo: URI. For a labelled pin, use a URL QR pointing to a Google Maps or Apple Maps share link instead.
- How precise should the coordinates be?
- 4 decimal places (about 11 metres) is enough for meeting points and venues. 6 places is centimetre-level and only useful for surveying.
- Do I need to include the ‘minus’ for western/southern hemispheres?
- Yes. Negative latitude means southern hemisphere; negative longitude means western hemisphere. Skipping the sign points to a completely different place.
- Does the QR give walking or driving directions?
- The geo: URI just centres the map on the point. The user picks their own routing mode after the maps app opens.
- Will this work offline?
- The QR itself decodes offline. The maps app then needs the destination area cached or a connection to load the map tiles.
- Are my coordinates uploaded anywhere?
- No. The QR is generated locally and the coordinates are encoded directly into the image.
Location QR field reference
| Field | URI segment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Latitude | geo:<lat> | Decimal degrees, e.g. 37.7749 |
| Longitude | ,<lng> | Decimal degrees, e.g. -122.4194 |
| Precision | 4 places ≈ 11 m | 6 places ≈ 0.1 m |
Full example: geo:37.7749,-122.4194
Last updated:
References: RFC 5870 (geo URI), Apple Maps URL scheme documentation, Google Maps intent documentation.