Street addresses do not cover the world. For parks, rural roads, or unmarked entrances, Google Maps offers a backup: Plus Codes, short digital strings that point to a specific spot anywhere on the planet.
How-To Geek notes that Plus Codes sit on top of the Open Location Code system, a publicly available format that Google helped build. Because the standard is open, other tools and mapping apps can read and create them. Codes work across the Google Maps apps on Android, iOS, and the web.
Quick take
- Plus Codes are short codes made of letters, numbers, and a "+" sign, derived from latitude and longitude.
- They identify spots that lack a conventional street address, including rural areas, large buildings, and crowded urban zones.
- They work across Google Maps on Android, iOS, and the desktop web version.
- Plus Codes are built on the open Open Location Code standard, so other apps can read them.
- The desktop and mobile apps both let you copy a Plus Code to share it directly.
How to grab a Plus Code on Android
Open Google Maps and find the location you want to share. Drop a pin by long-pressing the spot, then pull up the info card that shows at the bottom of the view. Inside that card you will see a short string with a "+" icon. Tap that string (or the "Copy Code" button) to put it on your clipboard.
To grab the Plus Code for your current location, tap the blue dot and look in the information panel for the Plus Code entry.
How to grab a Plus Code on the web
Click the location on the desktop map. In the panel below, click the coordinates to open the full details, then select the Plus Code in the panel to copy it. You can paste it into any chat, email, or document.
To navigate to a Plus Code, paste it directly into the Google Maps search bar on any platform. The map will jump to the exact location.
Who benefits from Plus Codes
- Travelers in regions where street names are missing or inconsistent.
- Delivery drivers who need a precise pickup point for a building with many entrances.
- Anyone meeting a friend at a large venue such as a stadium, mall, or airport.
- Emergency services when no address exists for the caller.
- Remote workers and hikers sharing a trailhead or outdoor meetup spot.
Our analysis
Plus Codes solve a simple, persistent problem: how do you share a location when there is no street address? The use cases are predictable but real. Park entrances, roadside stops, multiple entrances to large buildings, and remote landmarks all benefit. They are also useful in countries or regions where postal addresses are unreliable.
The trade-off is discoverability. Most people have never heard of Plus Codes, so sending one to a non-technical contact often requires a quick explanation. They are also useless if the recipient does not have Google Maps installed.
Another wrinkle: short Plus Codes are not unique across the globe. A short code may match a spot in a different city, so the safest habit is to attach the town or city name when you share one. The reference also recommends adding a nearby landmark or a short note to make the code easy to act on.
What to watch: adoption by mapping apps outside Google, deeper integration with delivery and emergency services, and better offline handling for downloaded regions.
Practical example: meeting at a confusing landmark
Say you agreed to meet a friend at a specific entrance to a large stadium, and there are six of them. Send the Plus Code for the right entrance. Your friend pastes it into Google Maps and gets turn-by-turn directions straight to that door, no description needed.
Bottom line
Plus Codes are not a replacement for street addresses, but they fill a real gap. Keep the feature in mind for hard-to-describe spots, large buildings, and travel in places with weak addressing.
Key takeaways
- Plus Codes work anywhere on Earth, including places without a street address.
- They are built on the open Open Location Code standard.
- Sharing is one tap on Android or one click on the desktop web version.
- They work best when both parties understand what they are, so a brief explanation helps.
Frequently asked questions
Do Plus Codes work offline?
The Plus Code is just a representation of coordinates. You need an internet connection for Google Maps to look it up and navigate to it.
Can other apps read Plus Codes?
Yes. Plus Codes are based on the open Open Location Code standard, so other mapping tools and apps can generate, decode, and use them.
How long is a Plus Code?
A typical Plus Code is short (around 8 to 10 characters plus the "+" sign), depending on the precision you need.
Can I use a Plus Code for deliveries?
Yes. They work for any service that accepts Google Maps coordinates, including delivery and emergency use cases.