Share any map location with a single scan
Drop a latitude and longitude (or a full address) into this location QR code generator and get a scannable code in seconds. Anyone who scans it is taken straight to that spot in Google Maps, Apple Maps, or whatever navigation app their phone prefers - no typing, no copy-paste, no getting it wrong.
Perfect for business cards, event flyers, restaurant menus, real-estate listings, delivery instructions, or anywhere you need to say meet me here without making someone squint at an address.
How to create a location QR code (step by step)
- Enter coordinates or an address. Type a latitude/longitude pair (e.g.
40.748817, -73.985428) or paste a full street address. Coordinates give a precise pin; an address works just as well for most cases. - Choose your output size. 300 × 300 px is fine for digital use. Go 600 px or larger if you're printing - scanners need enough detail to read the code from a distance.
- Customise colour (optional). Pick a foreground and background colour that matches your brand. Keep strong contrast between the two or scanners will struggle.
- Click Generate. The QR code appears instantly in your browser.
- Download PNG or SVG. PNG is great for web, email, and documents. SVG scales to any print size without going blurry - ideal for banners or signage.
Scanning the code opens the coordinates (encoded as a geo: URI or a Google Maps URL) in the user's default maps app and drops a pin at that exact location. No redirect, no server, no expiry date.
Worked example - pinning a landmark
Say you want to share the location of the Empire State Building on a printed flyer.
- Input: Latitude
40.748817, Longitude-73.985428 - Generated URL inside the QR code:
https://maps.google.com/?q=40.748817,-73.985428 - What happens on scan: The phone opens Google Maps (or Apple Maps on iOS) with a pin dropped at the Empire State Building. One tap on the pin starts navigation.
You can also encode a full address like 350 5th Ave, New York, NY 10001 - the maps app geocodes it when scanned. Coordinates are more reliable for remote or rural spots where geocoding can be imprecise.
How to generate a location QR code in code
If you need to create GPS QR codes programmatically - for example, generating hundreds of them from a spreadsheet of venues - here are minimal, runnable snippets.
Python
# pip install qrcode[pil]
import qrcode
lat, lng = 40.748817, -73.985428
data = f'https://maps.google.com/?q={lat},{lng}'
img = qrcode.make(data)
img.save('location.png')
JavaScript (Node.js)
// npm install qrcode
const QRCode = require('qrcode');
const lat = 40.748817;
const lng = -73.985428;
const data = `https://maps.google.com/?q=${lat},${lng}`;
QRCode.toFile('location.png', data, { width: 300 }, (err) => {
if (err) throw err;
console.log('QR code saved.');
});
Both snippets encode the same Google Maps URL that the tool above uses. Swap in any coordinates you like.
How it works
A location QR code is just a QR code that encodes a URL - typically a geo: URI (like geo:40.748817,-73.985428) or a Google Maps link. When a phone's camera or QR scanner reads it, the operating system recognises the scheme and hands it to the maps app.
The code is generated entirely in your browser using the QR code specification (ISO/IEC 18004). Your coordinates are never sent to a server - they stay on your device. That also means the QR code never expires; there is no redirect or tracking link involved. The data is baked into the pattern of squares, so it works forever as long as the image isn't damaged.
Error correction level L (7% recovery) keeps the code simple and easy to scan. If you plan to print the code over a logo or partially obscure it, choose a higher error correction level (Q or H) before generating.
When to use a location QR code - and when not to
| Good fit | Better alternative |
|---|---|
| Printed flyers, posters, business cards | Plain text address if there's no room to print a QR code clearly |
| Restaurant tables, hotel lobbies, tourism signage | Near-field communication (NFC) tags for very short ranges indoors |
| Real-estate yard signs, delivery labels | What3Words or a short URL if coordinates feel unfamiliar to your audience |
| Event badges, conference maps | In-app deep links if your audience is guaranteed to have your app installed |
Avoid tiny QR codes on print. Below about 2 cm × 2 cm at typical viewing distance, many phone cameras can't resolve enough detail to decode the code reliably. Always test scan before mass printing.
Your coordinates stay private
Everything happens locally in your browser. No coordinates, addresses, or QR images are uploaded to any server. Close the tab and the data is gone. You can generate as many codes as you like, free, with no account required.
QR codes are free to use and require no licence. There is no redirect server to maintain, no subscription, and no expiry - once you download the image, it works independently forever.
Ready to create a GPS QR code for your location? Fill in the coordinates or address in the tool above and download your code in seconds.