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To open decimal latitude and longitude in a map, put the coordinates in latitude,longitude order and build a service-specific HTTPS URL. In JavaScript, use URL and URLSearchParams for query parameters; Google Maps also requires api=1, while OpenStreetMap uses a map fragment for its zoom and center.
Coordinate order and validation
Use latitude first and longitude second. For example, 37.422 and -122.084 represent a point north of the equator and west of the prime meridian. Keep the minus signs: they indicate southern latitudes and western longitudes.
Before creating a link, check that both values are finite numbers and within geographic bounds: latitude from -90 to 90, longitude from -180 to 180. These are coordinate bounds, not service-specific URL rules.
function validateCoordinates(lat, lon) {
if (!Number.isFinite(lat) || !Number.isFinite(lon)) {
throw new TypeError("Latitude and longitude must be finite numbers.");
}
if (lat < -90 || lat > 90 || lon < -180 || lon > 180) {
throw new RangeError("Coordinates are outside valid latitude/longitude bounds.");
}
}Build a Google Maps link
For a coordinate pin, use Google Maps’ search URL with api=1 and a query value containing latitude,longitude. Google says api=1 is required for every Maps URL request; without it, the parameters are ignored and the default map opens. Its documentation also says URLs are limited to 2,048 characters per request and advises proper encoding. Google Maps URLs documentation
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function googleMapsUrl(lat, lon) {
validateCoordinates(lat, lon);
const url = new URL("https://www.google.com/maps/search/");
url.searchParams.set("api", "1");
url.searchParams.set("query", `${lat},${lon}`);
return url.toString();
}
const url = googleMapsUrl(37.422, -122.084);
// https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=37.422%2C-122.084URLSearchParams encodes the comma as %2C. A coordinate-only search places a pin, but does not provide additional place information. If the link should identify a particular establishment, Google documents adding its known place ID with query_place_id alongside the query.
Use a route URL for directions
A search link shows a location; it is not a directions request. To request directions to the coordinates, use the /maps/dir/ path and destination parameter:
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function googleDirectionsUrl(lat, lon) {
validateCoordinates(lat, lon);
const url = new URL("https://www.google.com/maps/dir/");
url.searchParams.set("api", "1");
url.searchParams.set("destination", `${lat},${lon}`);
return url.toString();
}You can omit an origin; Google may use a relevant current location or show a blank directions form. Google’s Maps URLs guide documents both URL forms.
Build an Apple Maps link
Apple’s unified Maps URL documentation describes coordinate as a comma-separated latitude,longitude pair and supports coordinate-based map display and directions. The archived Map Links reference documents ll for the same pair; this simple map link uses that parameter:
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function appleMapsUrl(lat, lon) {
validateCoordinates(lat, lon);
const url = new URL("https://maps.apple.com/");
url.searchParams.set("ll", `${lat},${lon}`);
return url.toString();
}Apple’s unified URL format also supports directions with source and destination, either of which may be a coordinate. Apple’s current documentation is the best reference for parameter details and presentation options; the relevant sources are Adopting unified Maps URLs and the archived Map Links reference.
Build an OpenStreetMap link with a marker
OpenStreetMap’s website accepts mlat and mlon query parameters for the red marker. Its #map=zoom/latitude/longitude fragment sets the zoom and map center. Use the same coordinates for both so the marker is centered:
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function openStreetMapUrl(lat, lon, zoom = 16) {
validateCoordinates(lat, lon);
if (!Number.isFinite(zoom) || zoom < 0) {
throw new RangeError("Zoom must be a non-negative finite number.");
}
const url = new URL("https://www.openstreetmap.org/");
url.searchParams.set("mlat", String(lat));
url.searchParams.set("mlon", String(lon));
url.hash = `map=${zoom}/${lat}/${lon}`;
return url.toString();
}The zoom value of 16 is an example default for this function, not a guarantee about the ideal scale for every location. OpenStreetMap’s Browsing documentation notes that a marker may fall outside the visible map area if the center differs, and cautions that support for some URL parameters may change.
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Render the returned URL as a normal HTTPS anchor. For example:
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const mapsLink = document.createElement("a");
mapsLink.href = googleMapsUrl(37.422, -122.084);
mapsLink.textContent = "Open in Google Maps";
document.body.append(mapsLink);Use equivalent link text for Apple Maps or OpenStreetMap. HTTPS links are broadly usable across devices, but do not guarantee that a particular installed app will open: the browser, operating system, user settings, and installed apps affect handoff. For a web page, prefer Google’s HTTPS Maps URLs over an app-only scheme when broad platform handling matters. Google documents custom URL schemes for iOS and recommends checking app availability before relying on them: Google Maps URL Scheme for iOS.
Service URL differences at a glance
| Service | Coordinate URL pattern | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Google Maps | /maps/search/?api=1&query=LAT%2CLON |
Searches the coordinate and places a pin; coordinate-only search does not add place details. |
| Apple Maps | https://maps.apple.com/?ll=LAT%2CLON |
Displays a coordinate-based map; Apple’s unified URLs also support coordinate directions. |
| OpenStreetMap | /?mlat=LAT&mlon=LON#map=ZOOM/LAT/LON |
Shows a red marker and centers the map at the chosen zoom. |
These links point to geographic coordinates, not necessarily to a named business or mapped feature. If users need to recognize a specific place, provide its name or a suitable place identifier as well as the coordinates.
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