Coordinate format for Google Maps

[+runninbear1]

A couple of years ago when I opened the Google Maps link from a cache page, the coordinate format always was displayed as N xx xx.xxx W xxx xx.xxx . Now the coordinates are always displayed in a different format. Is there a way to change a Google Maps settings to display the cordinates in the way that the cache page displays the coordinates, like it used to do ?

[+arisoft]

16 hours ago, runninbear1 said:

Is there a way to change a Google Maps settings to display the cordinates in the way that the cache page displays the coordinates

 

I don't think that there is this format available, but you can paste Google coordinates directly to Geocaches. It works for the corrected coordinates, the checker and when you are creating a new cache. Conversion happens automatically so you don't have to do anything special.

[+GeoTrekker26]

Why would one be getting coordinates for a new cache from Google maps?

[+arisoft]

2 hours ago, GeoTrekker26 said:

Why would one be getting coordinates for a new cache from Google maps?

 

Many players will check the GZ from Google Maps. Although this is the best practice, it must be noted that guidelines also require using a GPS receiver.

[+TeamRabbitRun]

20 hours ago, arisoft said:

 

Many players will check the GZ from Google Maps. Although this is the best practice, it must be noted that guidelines also require using a GPS receiver.

 

What do you mean by 'best practice'?

Google maps 'image lineup' is notoriously inaccurate.

[+arisoft]

37 minutes ago, TeamRabbitRun said:

Google maps 'image lineup' is notoriously inaccurate.

 

Inaccurate or not, but it's the same for everyone, even though in China it's especially useless.

[+ecanderson]

On 11/6/2024 at 10:12 AM, TeamRabbitRun said:

 

What do you mean by 'best practice'?

Google maps 'image lineup' is notoriously inaccurate.

In some areas, it is.  In others, it is quite accurate.  In the area in which I live, call it a 25 mile radius, I'd say it's within a meter for all tiles.

 

It can and probably should be used in any case just to confirm that the coordinates haven't been fat fingered.  It becomes pretty obvious when you look at them on a map and realize a missed digit put you a mile from your intended location.

 

[+Mysterion604]

One can still enter the typical Geocaching-style coordinates into a Google Maps search box and it will still go to the location you want to look at. Internally, Google will "convert" what you tell it to its own style in the listing, but the point on the map is still the same.

A good tip though is to copy the Geocaching style coordinates to your clipboard before you hit "enter" on the search box. Saves you grief later if you need to enter them into Google again.

[+ecanderson]

On 1/16/2025 at 3:21 PM, Mysterion604 said:

One can still enter the typical Geocaching-style coordinates into a Google Maps search box and it will still go to the location you want to look at. Internally, Google will "convert" what you tell it to its own style in the listing, but the point on the map is still the same.

A good tip though is to copy the Geocaching style coordinates to your clipboard before you hit "enter" on the search box. Saves you grief later if you need to enter them into Google again.

Note:

Copying the coords from the top of the primary cache page is pretty much impossible, but a quick jump to the 'No logs' version of the page provides an easy set to copy as there is no link associated with them there.

 

[francalkova]

I noticed the same thing happening with the coordinates a while back. It seems Google Maps switched to a different format by default. I found that if you go into the settings and change the "Coordinate format" to "Degrees, minutes, seconds," it’ll go back to the format you're familiar with. It worked for me, and now the coordinates match up with what I used to see on cache pages. It’s a small change but definitely helpful!

[+barefootguru]

On 2/6/2025 at 10:07 AM, francalkova said:

I noticed the same thing happening with the coordinates a while back. It seems Google Maps switched to a different format by default. I found that if you go into the settings and change the "Coordinate format" to "Degrees, minutes, seconds," it’ll go back to the format you're familiar with. It worked for me, and now the coordinates match up with what I used to see on cache pages. It’s a small change but definitely helpful!

I use the website, where are these settings please?

[+CAVinoGal]

On 2/5/2025 at 1:07 PM, francalkova said:

I found that if you go into the settings and change the "Coordinate format" to "Degrees, minutes, seconds," it’ll go back to the format you're familiar with.

 

I, too, would like to know what "settings" and where they are found.  In my Google account (under what category?), in my general computer settings?  Google maps settings?  I was unable to find a place to change coordinate format....

[+hankpixie]

On 1/18/2025 at 4:14 PM, ecanderson said:

Note:

Copying the coords from the top of the primary cache page is pretty much impossible, but a quick jump to the 'No logs' version of the page provides an easy set to copy as there is no link associated with them there.

 

Not impossible and very easy.  Click on the posted coords and the updated coord box will open.  Simply highlight the original coords and copy them.  Then click anywhere outside of that box to close it without any update.  

[+Wadcutter]

Settings can be found this way.

Open Google Earth.

There's a tool bar on the upper left.  Click "Tools".

Drop down window will appear with setting options.

Middle left of the window is "Show lat/long".

Click the 3rd one down on the list (middle choice} listed as "Degrees, Decimal Minutes"

On the lower right corner click "Apply" then click "OK".

[+The A-Team]

The original discussion was about Google Maps, and the coordinate format that it defaults to displaying. It doesn't seem like there's a way to change that.

 

I suspect francalkova was probably mistakenly talking about Google Earth too.

[+JL_HSTRE]

Google Maps can be helpful when solving puzzles. If there's no checker or the check says you're wrong it is often possible to determine in what direction you're probably wrong, and by about how much.