Google Maps Speedometer: How to Use It

Google Maps includes a built-in speedometer that shows your current driving speed on-screen. This guide explains how to turn it on for both Android and iPhone, what to do if it’s missing, and how to read the display accurately.

What You’ll Need

• A smartphone with the Google Maps app installed (Android or iOS).
• An active internet connection or downloaded offline maps for navigation.
• GPS enabled on your phone – the speedometer relies on GPS, not your car’s speedometer.
• For iPhone users: the speedometer is only available while actively navigating, not in the background.

Step-by-Step

1. Open Google Maps on your phone. Make sure you’re signed in to your Google account, though it’s not strictly required for the speedometer.
2. Start navigation to any destination. The speedometer appears only during active turn-by-turn navigation, not when you’re just viewing the map.
3. Tap your profile picture (or initials) in the top-right corner of the screen. This opens the main menu.
4. Tap Settings from the menu.
5. Scroll down to the Navigation settings section (on Android) or Navigation (on iOS).
6. Look for the Speedometer option. On Android, it’s a toggle switch labeled “Speedometer.” On iPhone, it’s a toggle labeled “Speedometer” as well.
7. Turn the toggle on. The change takes effect immediately – you don’t need to restart the app.
8. Return to your navigation. You’ll now see a small speedometer icon in the bottom-left corner of the map, showing your current speed in miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h), depending on your region.
9. If you want to change the unit (mph vs. km/h), go to Settings → Units and choose “Automatic,” “Miles,” or “Kilometers.” The speedometer will follow that setting.

Common Mistakes

• Looking for the speedometer without navigation: The speedometer only shows while you’re actively navigating. If you’re just browsing the map, you won’t see it.
• Confusing the speedometer with the speed limit sign: The speed limit is shown as a small sign with a number and a red circle, usually near the bottom-right. The speedometer is a separate icon that shows your actual speed.
• Assuming it works in airplane mode: If you have offline maps but no GPS signal (e.g., in a tunnel or underground parking), the speedometer may not update or may show zero.
• Forgetting to update the app: Older versions of Google Maps may not have the speedometer feature. Check the Play Store or App Store for updates.
• Using a third-party speedometer app instead: The Google Maps speedometer is built-in, so you don’t need any extra app.

Tips

• Use the speedometer as a reference, but always trust your car’s speedometer for legal speed limits – GPS speed can lag slightly when accelerating or braking.
• The speedometer is especially useful when your car’s speedometer is inaccurate due to larger tires or after a tire change.
• If you’re driving in a country that uses different units, the speedometer will automatically match the local unit if you set “Automatic” in units.
• You can quickly tap the speedometer icon to hide it temporarily, but it will reappear after a few seconds – there’s no permanent hide option.
• On Android, you can also enable the speedometer from the navigation screen: tap the “More” (three dots) button, then “Settings,” and toggle it there.

Troubleshooting

Speedometer not showing after enabling it:

• Make sure you’re in active navigation. Start a route to any destination.
• Force-stop the app and reopen it. On Android: go to Settings → Apps → Google Maps → Force Stop. On iPhone: swipe up from the bottom and swipe the Maps app away.
• Check that you have a GPS signal. Go to a clear area with a view of the sky, away from tall buildings.
• Update Google Maps to the latest version.

Speedometer shows “0” or a wrong speed:

• This usually happens when GPS is lost or weak. Wait a few seconds for the signal to reacquire.
• If you’re in a tunnel or underground, the speedometer will not work – that’s normal.
• Check that your phone’s location permission for Google Maps is set to “Allow all the time” (Android) or “While Using the App” (iOS).

Speedometer is grayed out or not available on iPhone:

• The speedometer on iOS is only available during navigation, not in the map view. Also, it may not appear in some countries due to local regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Google Maps speedometer work without navigation?

No. The speedometer only appears when you’re actively navigating to a destination. It’s not shown in the normal map view.

Why is my speedometer not showing on iPhone?

Make sure you’re in navigation mode, have updated the app, and that your region supports the feature. Also, check that you’ve enabled the toggle in Settings → Navigation.

Can I change the speedometer from mph to km/h?

Yes. Go to Settings → Units and select “Miles” or “Kilometers.” The speedometer will display in the chosen unit.

Is the Google Maps speedometer accurate?

It’s generally accurate to within a few mph, but it can lag when you accelerate or brake. It’s based on GPS, so it’s not as instantaneous as a car’s speedometer.

Does the speedometer work offline?

Yes, if you have offline maps downloaded and GPS is available. However, if you lose GPS signal, the speedometer will not update.

Can I hide the speedometer permanently?

No. You can turn it off in Settings, but if you want it while driving, you can’t hide it temporarily – tapping it only hides it for a few seconds.

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