📍 How to Share Your Location with QR Codes

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💡 Why Use Location QR Codes?

Sharing locations and addresses can be surprisingly complicated and frustrating. People mistype addresses, GPS coordinates are long and confusing to communicate, and even well-known locations can be difficult to find without precise directions. Location QR codes eliminate all this hassle with a simple scan.

When someone scans a location QR code, their smartphone instantly opens their preferred mapping application (Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze, etc.) with your exact location pinpointed. From there, they can get turn-by-turn navigation, see the distance, check travel time, and start their journey—all without typing a single character. This seamless experience is invaluable for businesses, events, and anyone who needs to guide people to a specific location.

Location QR codes are especially powerful because they use GPS coordinates, which are far more precise than street addresses. This precision is critical for places without traditional addresses, outdoor venues, specific building entrances, parking locations, or anywhere exact positioning matters. Whether you're a business owner helping customers find your storefront, an event planner directing attendees to a venue, or a delivery service marking drop-off points, location QR codes make navigation effortless.

🎯 Perfect for:
  • Business storefronts, pop-up shops, and retail locations
  • Event venues, wedding locations, and conference centers
  • Delivery drop-off points and pickup locations
  • Tourist attractions, hiking trailheads, and scenic viewpoints
  • Real estate property tours and open houses
  • Restaurant locations and food truck parking spots
  • Meeting points for group gatherings and tours
  • Emergency assembly points and evacuation locations

Ready to Create Your Location QR Code?

🚀 Open Location QR Generator

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📋 Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a location QR code is quick and easy. Follow these steps:

1 Find Your Location Coordinates
Open Google Maps on your computer or phone. Find the exact location you want to share. Right-click on the location (or long-press on mobile) and select "What's here?" from the menu. The GPS coordinates will appear at the bottom of the screen or in a popup. Alternatively, if you know the address, you can search for it first and then get the coordinates.
2 Copy the Latitude
GPS coordinates come in pairs: latitude and longitude. The latitude is the first number and represents the north-south position. For example, New York City's latitude is 40.7128. Click on the coordinates to copy them, or manually select and copy just the latitude value. Latitude ranges from -90 to +90 degrees.
3 Copy the Longitude
The longitude is the second number and represents the east-west position. For New York City, the longitude is -74.0060. Copy this value carefully, including any minus sign if present. Longitude ranges from -180 to +180 degrees. Make sure you maintain the precision—more decimal places mean more accuracy (up to a few centimeters with 6 decimal places).
4 Enter Coordinates in the Generator
Click the button above to open the Location QR Generator. Paste or type the latitude and longitude into the designated fields. The QR code will generate automatically in real-time as you enter the coordinates. Double-check that you've entered them correctly—swapping latitude and longitude is a common mistake!
5 Add a Location Name (Optional)
Give your location a friendly, descriptive name like "Our Main Office," "Wedding Ceremony Site," or "Scenic Overlook." This name may appear when someone scans the QR code, providing helpful context. While optional, it makes the experience more user-friendly and professional.
6 Download and Share Your QR Code
Right-click the generated QR code and select "Save Image As," or use the download button if available. Save it as a PNG file at your desired resolution. You can now add this QR code to flyers, business cards, signage, websites, invitations, or anywhere you need to share the location. Print it large enough for easy scanning—at least 1x1 inch (2.5x2.5 cm) for close-range use.
💡 Pro Tips:
  • Test before printing: Always scan your location QR code with multiple devices to verify it opens the correct location before printing thousands of copies.
  • Add context signage: Place text near your QR code like "Scan for Directions" or "Get Map Location" to make its purpose immediately clear.
  • Use precise coordinates: Include at least 4-6 decimal places for accuracy, especially for large properties or when directing to specific entrances.
  • Consider visibility: Place location QR codes at eye level in well-lit areas for optimal scanning. For outdoor use, laminate or protect them from weather.
  • Multiple entry points: For large venues or campuses, create separate location QR codes for different entrances, parking areas, or departments.

❔ Frequently Asked Questions

What apps open location QR codes?
Location QR codes are compatible with all major navigation apps. When scanned, they typically open in the user's default mapping application, which could be Google Maps (Android and iOS), Apple Maps (iOS/macOS), Waze, HERE Maps, or other navigation apps installed on the device. The phone automatically detects the GPS coordinates and launches the appropriate app with the location pinpointed.
How do I get GPS coordinates for my location?
The easiest method is to use Google Maps. On a computer, right-click anywhere on the map and select "What's here?" to see the coordinates. On mobile, long-press a location until a red pin drops, then the coordinates appear at the top. You can also use dedicated GPS apps, your phone's compass app (which often shows coordinates), or look up your address on any mapping service that displays lat/long information.
Can I use street addresses instead of coordinates?
While some QR code formats support addresses, GPS coordinates are significantly more precise and universally compatible. Addresses can be ambiguous, especially in rural areas, large properties with multiple buildings, or countries with different address formats. Coordinates are exact, global, and work everywhere. We recommend converting your address to coordinates first using Google Maps for the most reliable results.
Will location QR codes work anywhere in the world?
Absolutely! GPS coordinates are a universal standard that works globally. Whether you're in Tokyo, New York, Dubai, or a remote island, GPS coordinates accurately represent any location on Earth. All modern smartphones and navigation apps understand GPS coordinates regardless of language or regional settings, making location QR codes the most reliable way to share locations internationally.
How precise can location QR codes be?
GPS coordinates can be extremely precise. Each decimal place represents approximately: 1 decimal = ~11 km, 2 decimals = ~1 km, 3 decimals = ~110 m, 4 decimals = ~11 m, 5 decimals = ~1 m, and 6 decimals = ~11 cm (centimeter-level precision). For most business and event purposes, 4-5 decimal places (accurate to within a few meters) is more than sufficient. Use 6 decimal places when you need to mark exact spots like specific parking spaces or building entrances.
Do location QR codes expire or stop working?
No, location QR codes never expire! Unlike some dynamic QR codes that require server connections, location QR codes directly encode GPS coordinates into the QR code itself. As long as the physical location exists, the QR code will work. There are no subscriptions, no servers to maintain, and no expiration dates. The QR code will function identically 10 years from now as it does today.
Can I track who scans my location QR code?
Standard location QR codes generated with our tool do not include tracking or analytics. They simply contain GPS coordinates, so there's no way to know how many people scanned them or when. This privacy-first approach means no data collection or user tracking. If you need analytics, you would need to use a dynamic QR code service that redirects through their servers (though this typically requires a subscription and may have privacy implications for users).
What size should I print location QR codes?
For reliable scanning, print location QR codes at minimum 1 x 1 inch (2.5 x 2.5 cm) for close-range use like business cards or flyers. For signage viewed from a distance, use larger sizes—at least 2-3 inches for posters, and proportionally larger for billboards or distant signs. A good rule of thumb: the QR code size should be at least 10% of the viewing distance. Always leave adequate white space (quiet zone) around the QR code for optimal scanning.

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