To find the latitude and longitude of an address, type it into LocationMe and read the coordinates. The tool looks up the address in a map database and returns the exact GPS point in seconds.

This guide shows how to find coordinates of any address on any device, explains the forward geocoding behind it, and covers accuracy.

Latitude and longitude of an address: the fastest way

A browser tool is the quickest path from an address to coordinates. No app, no signup, no code.

  1. Open LocationMe in any browser.
  2. Type the address into the search box.
  3. Press Enter or tap search.
  4. The map centers on the address, with its latitude and longitude shown below.

You get the coordinates in both decimal degrees and DMS, with a one-tap copy button. Be as specific as you can: include the street number, city, and country for the best match.

A vague query like "Main Street" can match hundreds of places. A full query like "1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA" matches exactly one. The extra detail costs you two seconds of typing and saves you from the wrong result.

How to find coordinates of an address on iPhone and Android

You do not need a computer. The same lookup works in your phone's browser.

  1. Open your browser (Safari or Chrome).
  2. Go to LocationMe.
  3. Type the full address into the search box.
  4. Tap the result to see the coordinates and the map pin.

On iPhone, you can also use Apple Maps: search the address, tap the pin, and scroll the info card for coordinates. On Android, Google Maps shows coordinates when you long-press the pinned result.

The browser method has one advantage: the copy button. Copying long decimals by hand from a maps app is slow and error-prone. A dedicated tool removes that friction.

Travel tip: look up coordinates before you leave Wi-Fi. Save the place in the tool or screenshot the numbers. Remote areas may have no signal when you arrive.

What to do when the address is not found

Sometimes the geocoder returns nothing, or the pin lands in the wrong place. Work through these fixes:

  • Add the postal code. It narrows the search dramatically and resolves most ambiguous matches.
  • Add the country. Street names repeat across countries. "Victoria Street" exists in dozens of cities.
  • Check the spelling. One wrong letter can break the match. Copy the address from an official source when possible.
  • Use the street address, not a name. If "Cafe Luna" fails, search its street address instead. Business listings change; street data is stable.
  • Try the nearest intersection. For new buildings not yet in the database, the cross streets get you close.

If nothing works, the address may genuinely be missing from the map database. New developments and rural properties are the usual cases. In that situation, ask the property owner for coordinates directly, or drop a pin on the satellite view and copy its coordinates.

What is forward geocoding?

Forward geocoding turns a text address into coordinates. It is the opposite of reverse geocoding, which turns coordinates into an address.

Here is the process, step by step:

  1. You type an address.
  2. The geocoder parses it into parts: street, city, postal code, country.
  3. It searches a geographic database for that combination.
  4. It returns the latitude and longitude of the best match.

Every "search for a place" box in every map app runs forward geocoding. You type words, the app converts them to a point, and the map moves there.

The quality of the result depends on the database. Big providers keep street-level data for most of the world, so common addresses resolve precisely.

Forward geocoding also powers features you use every day: ride-hailing pickups, delivery address validation, and the search box in every navigation app. Each of these converts your typed words into a point before doing anything else.

How to find coordinates of an address in Google Maps

Google Maps can do this too, on desktop and mobile.

On desktop:

  1. Search the address in Google Maps.
  2. Right-click the pin and select What's here?
  3. Click the coordinates at the bottom to copy them.

On mobile:

  1. Search the address in the Google Maps app.
  2. Long-press the pin on the result.
  3. The coordinates appear at the bottom of the screen.

This works, but it takes more taps than a dedicated tool. If you convert addresses often, a one-screen tool like LocationMe is faster.

How accurate is address to GPS coordinates conversion?

For a complete street address, forward geocoding is usually accurate to the right building. The returned point lands on the rooftop or the street entrance.

Precision drops when the input is vague:

  • City only. You get the city center, not a specific building.
  • Street without a number. You get the middle of the street.
  • Landmarks and business names. These usually resolve well, if the name is in the database.
  • Rural routes and PO boxes. These often fail, because they are not physical locations.

If the result looks wrong, add more detail: postal code, neighborhood, or country. Two towns can share a street name, and the geocoder picks the most likely match.

For critical uses like emergency planning or surveying, verify the point on the map before you rely on the numbers. A quick visual check takes seconds and catches bad matches.

This habit matters most for deliveries and service calls. A pin that is one block off can send a driver to the wrong street. Confirm the marker, then share the coordinates.

Which coordinate format should you copy?

FormatExampleUse it when
Decimal degrees40.7128, -74.0060Pasting into apps, APIs, or navigation tools
DMS40°42'46"N 74°0'21"WFilling paper forms or traditional chart work

Decimal degrees are the default for digital use. They paste cleanly into search bars, spreadsheets, and code. DMS suits printed documents and formal records.

Both formats describe the same point. If a form demands the other format, use a coordinate format converter to switch. Our guide on decimal degrees vs DMS explains the difference in depth.

Tip: keep four to six decimal places when you copy. Fewer than four can shift the point by tens of meters.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find the latitude and longitude of an address?
Type the address into LocationMe. The tool geocodes it and shows the coordinates in decimal and DMS formats, ready to copy.

What is forward geocoding?
Forward geocoding converts a text address into GPS coordinates. You enter words, the service matches them in a map database, and it returns the latitude and longitude of that place.

Can I find coordinates of an address for free?
Yes. LocationMe and Google Maps both geocode addresses for free, with no account required.

Why does my address show the wrong coordinates?
The query may be too vague, or several places may share the name. Add the street number, postal code, and country, then check that the map pin lands on the right building.

Can I convert a business name to GPS coordinates?
Often, yes. Named businesses and landmarks are in map databases. If the name does not resolve, use the business's street address instead.

Need the opposite conversion? See GPS coordinates to address. To look up your own live position, read how to find your current location.