Google Maps Plus Codes: What They Are & How to Use Them

Google Maps Plus Codes are a free, open-source addressing system that gives any location on Earth a short, shareable code, like “8FVC9M+QH” or “JJXX6R+8H”, which you can use to find, share, or navigate to a place even if it has no traditional street address. To use them, simply open the Google Maps app on your phone or the website, tap and hold on any spot to drop a pin, and the Plus Code will appear in the location details—tap it to copy, share, or search for it. This system is especially valuable for remote areas, informal settlements, outdoor destinations, and anywhere standard addresses are inconsistent or nonexistent.

What Exactly Is a Plus Code?

Plus Codes (also known as Open Location Code, or OLC) were developed by Google and released in 2015 as an open-source alternative to traditional addressing. They are not proprietary to Google Maps—anyone can use the algorithm to generate or decode Plus Codes, and they appear in many other apps and services. The code itself is a short string of letters and numbers that encodes a geographic area, typically about 14 meters by 14 meters (roughly the size of a small house). The full code contains a global portion (the first 4-6 characters) and a local portion (the last 6-7 characters), but when you are within a certain area, you can often use just the local part—for example, “9M+QH” in a particular city.

The system works by dividing the world into a grid of 20 by 20 cells, each assigned a character from a set of 20 (excluding vowels and the letter “1” to avoid confusion). This grid is refined into smaller and smaller cells until the desired precision is reached. The result is a code that is easy to share, remember, and type—much simpler than a long set of GPS coordinates (e.g., 37.4219999, -122.0840575).

How to Find a Plus Code in Google Maps

Finding a Plus Code for any location is straightforward, whether you are on a phone or a computer.

On a smartphone (Google Maps app): Open the app, and either search for a place or drop a pin by tapping and holding on any spot on the map. A red pin will appear, and at the bottom you’ll see the location details. Tap on the address or the pin—a panel will expand showing the Plus Code (e.g., “8FVC9M+QH”).
On a computer (web browser): Go to Google Maps, right-click on any location on the map, and a small window will pop up. The Plus Code will be listed at the top (e.g., “8FVC9M+QH”), along with the traditional coordinates. Click on it to copy it to your clipboard.
Using the search bar: You can also type a Plus Code directly into the Google Maps search box (e.g., “8FVC9M+QH”) and press Enter. Maps will zoom to that exact location.

Once you have the code, you can share it via text, email, or any messaging app. The recipient can paste it into Google Maps (or any OLC-compatible app) and navigate to the spot.

How to Use a Plus Code for Navigation

Using a Plus Code to get directions is just as easy as using a regular address. If someone sends you a Plus Code, you can:

Type it into the search bar: Enter the full code (e.g., “8FVC9M+QH”) or the local code if you’re in the same area (e.g., “9M+QH”). Google Maps will show the location.
Tap the “Directions” button: Once the location is displayed, tap the blue “Directions” button to get turn-by-turn navigation, just like with any address.
Share your own location: If you’re at a remote campsite or a friend’s house with no address, you can drop a pin and send them your Plus Code. They can then navigate to you precisely.

Plus Codes work offline too—you can download an offline map of an area and still use Plus Codes to navigate, which is a huge advantage in areas with poor internet connectivity.

Why Use Plus Codes? (And When They’re Better Than Coordinates)

Plus Codes solve several problems that traditional addresses and coordinates have:

No address needed: They work for any point on Earth, including oceans, deserts, and places with no formal street names.
Shorter than coordinates: A Plus Code is typically 10 characters (like “8FVC9M+QH”) versus 15-20 characters for decimal degrees. They’re easier to say, type, and remember.
Error-resistant: The code excludes confusing characters (like 1 vs. I, 0 vs. O), so there’s less chance of typos. Also, the last few characters are a checksum that helps detect errors.
Open and free: The system is open-source, so it’s not tied to Google—other apps like Maps.me and many humanitarian organizations use it.
Precise but simple: The default code (10 characters) gives an area of about 14m x 14m, which is enough to find a building entrance. You can extend the code to get even finer precision (down to a few meters).

Compared to traditional GPS coordinates (like 37.4219999, -122.0840575), Plus Codes are significantly shorter and less error-prone. They also avoid the confusion of which format (DMS, decimal degrees, etc.) is being used.

Common Problems and Limitations

While Plus Codes are incredibly useful, they do have a few limitations you should be aware of:

Not a formal address: Plus Codes are not official postal addresses. They won’t work for mail delivery, and some emergency services may not recognize them. Always use a Plus Code as a supplement, not a replacement, for a formal address.
Local vs. global code: If you share a local code (like “9M+QH”) with someone far away, they won’t be able to find it. You must share the full code (including the city prefix, like “8FVC9M+QH”) for it to work globally.
Not all apps support them: While many Google products and some third-party apps support Plus Codes, not every navigation app does. If you share a Plus Code with someone using a different app, they may not be able to use it directly.
Precision is limited: The standard 10-character code gives about a 14-meter square area. That’s fine for most uses, but if you need pinpoint accuracy (e.g., a specific entrance), you may need to use a longer code (which you can get by zooming in further on Google Maps).

Plus Codes vs. What3Words and Other Systems

Plus Codes are often compared to What3Words (W3W), another popular addressing system. The key differences are:

Format: Plus Codes are alphanumeric (e.g., “8FVC9M+QH”), while W3W uses three words (e.g., “table.lamp.clock”). Some people find words easier to remember, but W3W is proprietary and not free to use.
Open vs. proprietary: Plus Codes are completely open-source and free for anyone to use. W3W is a commercial product and has licensing restrictions.
Error detection: Plus Codes have built-in error detection (the last character is a checksum). W3W has a feature that suggests similar-sounding words, but it’s not as robust.
Offline use: Both systems work offline, but Plus Codes are more widely integrated into Google Maps, which is the most used mapping app globally.

For most people, Plus Codes are the better choice because they are free, open, and directly integrated into Google Maps. W3W may be easier for some users to remember, but its proprietary nature and cost make it less accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Plus Codes cost money?

No, Plus Codes are completely free to use. They are an open-source standard, and Google provides them at no cost. You can even implement the algorithm yourself for your own projects.

Can I use a Plus Code to get mail delivered?

No, Plus Codes are not official postal addresses. They are designed for navigation and location sharing, not for mail delivery. You should always provide your formal street address for mail and packages.

How do I convert a Plus Code to GPS coordinates?

You can use Google Maps itself: enter the Plus Code in the search bar, and the location will show up. The coordinates are displayed in the info panel (on web, right-click and select “What’s here?”). Alternatively, you can use an online OLC decoder or write a script using the open-source library.

Why do some Plus Codes have a city prefix like “8FVC”?

The first 4-6 characters of a Plus Code represent a large area (roughly 100 km x 100 km), and they are often replaced by a city name or abbreviation for convenience. For example, “8FVC9M+QH” in San Francisco is often shortened to “9M+QH” when you’re in the area. The full code is needed for global use.

Can I use Plus Codes in other apps besides Google Maps?

Yes, because the system is open-source, many other apps and services support Plus Codes. For example, Maps.me, Organic Maps, and some delivery apps use them. You can also use the open-source library to integrate them into your own software.

Are Plus Codes safe to share publicly?

Yes, sharing a Plus Code is generally safe because it only reveals a location, not your identity. However, as with any location data, be cautious about sharing your home or workplace Plus Code publicly, especially on social media, as it could be used to find you.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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