A location QR code saves people from typing an address into a map app. One scan opens a pin on the map, or even turn-by-turn directions, on the visitor's own phone. It is useful for invitations, venue signs, flyers, rental listings, trailheads and hard-to-find side entrances.
This guide explains the different ways to store a location in a QR code, which one to choose, and how to make, size and test the code with the free QR Studio generator.
How a location QR code works
A QR code cannot hold a map. It stores a short piece of text, and for a location that text is usually one of these:
- A map link, such as a Google Maps or Apple Maps URL. The phone opens it like any web link, usually in a map app if one is installed.
- A geo: link, such as
geo:47.5951518,-122.3316393. This is a standard format for coordinates that some phones hand straight to a map app.
For most people, a map link is the most reliable choice, because almost every phone knows what to do with a web address.
Option 1: Copy a share link from Google Maps
This is the easiest route when the place already appears on Google Maps, such as a business, park or venue.
- Open Google Maps on a computer or phone and search for the place.
- Select the place so its details panel opens.
- Choose Share, then Copy link.
The copied link opens that place's listing, with its name, address and, for businesses, hours and photos. That is a good fit for a shop, restaurant or event venue.
Option 2: Build a map link from coordinates
If the place has no listing, or the pin lands in the wrong spot (a large campus, a back entrance, a parking lot or a trailhead), use exact coordinates instead.
Get the coordinates
- On a computer: in Google Maps, right-click the exact spot. The latitude and longitude appear at the top of the menu; click them to copy.
- On a phone: touch and hold the spot to drop a pin. The coordinates appear in the search box or the pin's details.
Coordinates are two decimal numbers: latitude first, then longitude. Negative numbers mean south of the equator or west of Greenwich, so most U.S. longitudes are negative.
Turn them into a Google Maps link
Google documents a cross-platform link format called Maps URLs. To show a pin, use:
https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=47.5951518%2C-122.3316393
The %2C is an encoded comma between latitude and longitude. To open directions to the spot instead, use:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.5951518%2C-122.3316393
The api=1 part is required. Without it, Google says the extra parameters are ignored and the map simply opens without your pin.
Make a free QR code for a link, WiFi or contact card — generated in your browser.
Open the free QR code generator →How many decimal places do you need?
One degree of latitude is roughly 111 km (about 69 miles), so each extra decimal place makes the location about ten times more precise:
| Decimal places | Example | Approximate precision |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 47.595 | About 110 m |
| 4 | 47.5952 | About 11 m |
| 5 | 47.59515 | About 1.1 m |
| 6 | 47.595152 | About 0.11 m |
The math: 111 km ÷ 10,000 = 0.0111 km, or about 11 m, for four decimal places. Longitude steps get smaller as you move away from the equator, so these figures are the upper end. Five decimal places is plenty for a building entrance.
Option 3: Apple Maps links
Apple documents its own map links. A place card for coordinates looks like this:
https://maps.apple.com/place?coordinate=47.5951518,-122.3316393&name=Main%20Entrance
The optional name adds a label to the pin. These links work best on Apple devices. If many of your visitors use Android, a Google Maps link is usually the safer single choice.
Option 4: A geo: link
A geo: link stores only the coordinates: geo:47.5951518,-122.3316393. Many Android phones offer to open it in a map app, but support varies by phone and scanner app, and it is less predictable on iPhones. Use it only if you have tested it on the phones your audience uses.
In QR Studio, a geo: link goes in the Text tab, not the URL tab. The URL tab adds https:// to anything that does not start with http or mailto:, which would break the geo: link.
Which option should you use?
| Situation | Best choice |
|---|---|
| A business or venue listed on Google Maps | Google Maps share link |
| A specific entrance, parking lot or trailhead | Google Maps link built from coordinates |
| You want visitors to start navigation | Google Maps directions link |
| An audience mostly on iPhones | Apple Maps link, or Google Maps |
| A tested, Android-only use | geo: link in the Text tab |