Getting a Lat/Long from Google Maps

UPDATE 4.13.2014: It looks like the "new" Google Maps has returned the old functionality of being able to right-click on any spot in a map and choose "What's here" to get a decimal-based latitude and longitude. So I think the directions below are irrelevant now.

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It's easiest to do from the "classic" google maps. Who knows how long that will be available, so I've explained how with the "new" maps as well.

• Go to https://www.google.com/maps?output=classic
• Type in the address and hit return and make sure Google Maps takes you to the right place.
• Right-click on the map at the location and choose “What's here.”
• That will put something like this in the search bar: “30.258659,-97.744548”
• Put the first number that usually starts with “30” in the Latitude field.
• Put the second number that usually starts with ”-97” in the Longitude field.

If you have the “new” google maps, you have to do some extra work to get lat/long. It's easier to just use the “classic” link above, but if you insist:

• Type in the address and hit return to find the location
• X-out the location in the search bar so the pin goes away.
• Click on the map where the pin was, (and then maybe click again) and a window will come up showing the address and the lat, long, but it will formatted wrong. It will be something like: 30° 22.096', -97° 42.209'. Copy that text.
• Go to http://dbsgeo.com/latlon/ and paste in the text into Place Name.
• Make sure it takes you to your location, then from the “Latitude, Longitude” under the map copy the “30” number into Latitude into the homicide database, and the ”-97” number into Longitude.

Categories: Spring 2014, Tips