Location QR Code Generator
Generate a geographic-location QR code from latitude and longitude coordinates for easy sharing and navigation.
This generator keeps the GS1 Digital Link URI directly inside the QR code. Premium QR dynamic redirects are not used for GS1 Digital Link codes.
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Location QR Code Generator
Quick answer: A location QR code encodes a geographic position so that scanning it opens a map at that point. The formal standard is the geo: URI defined in RFC 5870, using decimal-degree latitude and longitude in the WGS-84 coordinate system. Android handles geo: natively; iOS behaviour varies, and a Google Maps or Apple Maps URL often provides more reliable cross-platform results.
How to create a location QR code
- Obtain the latitude and longitude of the target location in decimal degrees — for example, 48.8584 for latitude and 2.2945 for longitude (the Eiffel Tower).
- Choose the encoding format: geo: URI for maximum standard compliance, or a Google Maps / Apple Maps URL for widest cross-platform reliability.
- Enter the coordinates into the appropriate field, including the negative sign for southern latitudes or western longitudes.
- Customise the pattern style, finder-eye style, colours and logo if needed.
- Download as PNG, SVG, WEBP or JPG at up to 4096 px.
The QR code is generated in your browser. Nothing you enter is uploaded to a server.
What a location QR code is
A location QR code is a standard QR code whose payload is a geographic reference, either a geo: URI or a maps service URL. The QR symbol follows ISO/IEC 18004, the international standard for QR Code symbology.
The geo: URI scheme is defined in IETF RFC 5870 (published 2010). RFC 5870 section 6.3 explicitly notes that the geo: URI is suited to two-dimensional barcode encoding. The default coordinate reference system for geo: URIs is WGS-84, which is also the system used by GPS and by Google Maps, Apple Maps, and most location services.
The geo: URI format
Syntax
RFC 5870 defines the geo: URI as:
Two-dimensional (latitude and longitude): geo:latitude,longitude
Three-dimensional (with altitude in metres above the WGS-84 ellipsoid): geo:latitude,longitude,altitude
Example — Eiffel Tower: geo:48.8584,2.2945
Example — with altitude: geo:48.8584,2.2945,330
- Latitude range: −90 to 90 (negative values are south of the equator)
- Longitude range: −180 to 180 (negative values are west of the prime meridian)
- Altitude is optional and in metres
- The coordinate reference system is WGS-84 by default (EPSG 4326 for 2D, EPSG 4979 for 3D)
Decimal degrees versus degrees-minutes-seconds
GPS receivers and most online maps express coordinates in decimal degrees (DD). Older maps and some surveying tools use degrees-minutes-seconds (DMS), such as 48°51'30.24"N, 2°17'40.2"E. The geo: URI requires decimal degrees and cannot accept DMS notation.
To convert DMS to decimal degrees:
Decimal degrees = Degrees + (Minutes / 60) + (Seconds / 3600)
For southern latitudes or western longitudes, apply a negative sign after converting.
Example: 48°51'30.24"N converts to 48 + (51/60) + (30.24/3600) = 48.8584.
Coordinate precision and real-world accuracy
The number of decimal places in a coordinate determines the precision of the location it identifies.
| Decimal places | Approximate accuracy |
|---|---|
| 1 (e.g. 48.8) | ~11 km — city district |
| 2 (e.g. 48.86) | ~1.1 km — village or neighbourhood |
| 3 (e.g. 48.858) | ~110 m — large property or block |
| 4 (e.g. 48.8584) | ~11 m — individual building entrance |
| 5 (e.g. 48.85840) | ~1.1 m — room-level precision |
| 6 (e.g. 48.858400) | ~11 cm — surveying grade |
For event venues, trailheads and delivery entrances, four decimal places is the practical minimum. Five or six decimal places add payload length with no benefit for most use cases.
Platform behaviour — Android, iOS and cross-platform considerations
Android
Android handles geo: URIs natively. When a user scans a geo: QR code on Android, the operating system presents a chooser dialogue listing installed apps that handle the geo: scheme, typically Google Maps and any other installed mapping application. No special configuration is required.
iOS
iOS behaviour with geo: URIs is not as consistent. Some versions of Safari handle geo: by opening Apple Maps; others prompt the user to select an app; others may fail silently or show the raw URI. The behaviour can vary with iOS version and with which apps are installed. This inconsistency is well documented in developer forums.
A more reliable cross-platform approach when the audience includes both Android and iOS users is to encode a direct mapping service URL rather than a geo: URI:
Google Maps URL format: https://www.google.com/maps?q=48.8584,2.2945
Apple Maps URL format: https://maps.apple.com/?q=48.8584,2.2945
Google Maps URL with a named location label: https://www.google.com/maps?q=Eiffel+Tower,Paris
A Google Maps URL opens in the Google Maps app on Android and in the browser (or the Maps app) on iOS. An Apple Maps URL opens Apple Maps on iOS and macOS. For maximum cross-platform reliability, a Google Maps URL is the more widely supported choice as of 2026.
Choosing between geo: and a maps URL
| Consideration | geo: URI (RFC 5870) | Google Maps URL | Apple Maps URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Yes — IETF RFC 5870 | No — proprietary | No — proprietary |
| Android native handling | Yes | Yes (with Google Maps installed) | Limited |
| iOS reliability | Variable | High | High |
| Works without an internet connection | Partially — passes coordinates to an app, which may need data | No — requires Google Maps to load | No — requires Maps data |
| Depends on a third-party service | No | Yes (Google) | Yes (Apple) |
| Encodes named labels | Via ?q= parameter in some implementations | Yes | Yes |
When to use a location QR code
Event venues. A QR code on a printed invitation, conference badge or ticket encodes the venue coordinates so attendees open directions with one scan — without typing or copying a postcode.
Trailheads and natural sites. A code on a trail sign or park map encodes the precise trailhead coordinates, which is more accurate than an address for locations without a street number.
Delivery entrances and loading bays. A building with multiple entrances can use a location QR code to direct couriers to the correct gate rather than the front reception.
Property and real estate signage. A for-sale or to-let sign can include a QR code encoding the property coordinates so a buyer driving past can pin it on their map immediately.
Plot and field markers in agriculture and surveying. A staked marker in a field can carry a code encoding its exact coordinates for reference without requiring a data connection (if using geo: and an offline maps app).
Construction and site management. A code on a site entrance or plan sheet encodes the site coordinates for any contractor or inspector arriving for the first time.
Design and print requirements
Maintain a quiet zone of at least four modules on all sides, as required by ISO/IEC 18004.
Print at 2 cm by 2 cm or larger for close-range scanning. Use 3 cm or more for signage read from arm's length. Use 8 cm or more for a poster or sign read from more than a metre.
A geo: URI with four to six decimal places is short and will encode as a low-version QR code with large, reliably scannable modules. A full Google Maps URL is longer but still encodes cleanly at typical print sizes.
Place the QR code in a position where a person can comfortably hold their camera at arm's length. Avoid glossy surfaces that cause glare and avoid placing the code where it will be partially obscured by shadows, bollards or signage hardware.
Troubleshooting: why your location QR code is not opening a map
The scanning device runs iOS and shows raw text. The geo: URI may not be handled by the installed browser. Re-encode the location as a Google Maps or Apple Maps URL and regenerate the code.
The location shown is not the intended point. A sign error (missing negative for southern or western coordinates) shifts the point to the opposite hemisphere. Verify the sign of both latitude and longitude before printing.
The coordinates use a comma as a decimal separator. The geo: URI requires a full stop (period) as the decimal separator. Some locales default to a comma (e.g. 48,8584) which is invalid in the URI. Confirm the coordinates use a period.
The degrees-minutes-seconds format was entered instead of decimal degrees. The geo: URI does not accept DMS. Convert to decimal degrees before entering.
The QR code is too small. Reprint larger and restore the quiet zone.
No app is installed to handle the scheme. On some stripped-down or managed devices, no maps application may be registered as a geo: URI handler. A Google Maps URL bypasses this by opening in any browser.
geo: URI QR codes versus URL QR codes for maps
| geo: URI | Google Maps URL | Apple Maps URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Encoded payload | geo:lat,lon | https://www.google.com/maps?q=lat,lon | https://maps.apple.com/?q=lat,lon |
| Standard | IETF RFC 5870 | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Self-contained | Yes — no third party | No — depends on Google | No — depends on Apple |
| iOS reliability | Variable | High | High |
| Android reliability | High | High | Low |
| Editable after printing | No (static) | No (static) | No (static) |
For most printed use cases targeting a public audience, a Google Maps URL encoded as a standard URL QR code provides the most consistent cross-platform experience. The geo: URI is the technically correct format and the right choice when encoding for applications where standard compliance matters.
What this Location QR Code Generator gives you
This browser-based tool stores geographic coordinates or a mapping link so a scan can open the intended place in a compatible maps application. It is designed for shops, offices, majlis locations, event venues, delivery entrances and tourist points. The live preview updates while you edit, which makes it easier to catch a missing field or an unexpectedly dense symbol before download.
You can adjust matrix patterns, finder-eye styles, foreground and background colours, gradients, frames, size and an optional logo. Exports are available as SVG, PNG, WEBP and JPG at 512, 1024, 2048 or 4096 pixels. SVG is the practical choice for professional print. A high-resolution PNG suits office documents and digital artwork.
The static payload is constructed in your browser. The information entered into the generator does not need to be uploaded to create the QR image. Coordinates are precise but carry no guarantee about routing, access roads or opening hours; test Google Maps and Apple Maps before printing.
Using this QR code in Bahrain and abroad
In Bahrain, verify the pin at the actual gate or car-park entrance rather than relying only on the building’s postal address, especially in new developments.
Use British English spelling in customer-facing copy when that matches your organisation’s house style, and provide Arabic wording where the audience expects it. Keep the action after scanning obvious. A short line beside the symbol such as “Scan to save the contact” or “Scan to open the location” gives people confidence before they point their camera.
Test the final design on current iPhone and Android devices. Test it again after printing on the actual paper, sticker, card, sign or packaging material. Bahrain’s bright outdoor light can expose glare and low-contrast problems that are less obvious on a computer screen. For international use, confirm country codes, currencies, time zones, regional app availability and payment-network compatibility.
Before you publish
- Correct QR payload type
- Complete and verified data
- Four-module quiet zone
- Strong foreground contrast
- Proportional square scaling
- Logo kept within safe limits
- SVG or high-resolution PNG
- Final-size device scan test
Frequently asked questions
Open a question to read a concise technical answer.
01What is the geo: URI format for a location QR code?+
The format defined in IETF RFC 5870 is geo:latitude,longitude — for example geo:48.8584,2.2945 for the Eiffel Tower. Latitude ranges from −90 to 90 and longitude from −180 to 180, both in decimal degrees using WGS-84. Altitude is optional and expressed in metres as a third value: geo:lat,lon,alt.
02Does a location QR code work on iPhone and Android?+
Android handles geo: URIs natively and presents a maps app chooser when a geo: QR code is scanned. On iOS, geo: URI behaviour varies by version and installed apps, and can fail silently. For reliable cross-platform results, encode a Google Maps URL (https://www.google.com/maps?q=lat,lon) as a URL QR code instead.
03What is the difference between a geo: QR code and a Google Maps link QR code?+
A geo: QR code encodes coordinates in the IETF RFC 5870 standard format and is handled by the device's native app dispatcher. A Google Maps link QR code encodes a proprietary URL that opens Google Maps in a browser or app. The Maps link is more consistently reliable on iOS; the geo: URI is the platform-independent standard.
04How many decimal places should I use in a location QR code?+
Four decimal places (e.g. 48.8584) gives approximately 11 metres of accuracy, which is sufficient to identify a building entrance. Five decimal places gives about 1.1 metres. Six decimal places is surveying grade. For event venues and delivery addresses, four decimal places is the practical minimum. More decimal places increase payload length with little practical benefit.
05How do I convert degrees-minutes-seconds to decimal degrees for a geo: QR code?+
Divide the minutes by 60 and the seconds by 3600, then add to the whole degrees. Apply a negative sign for southern latitudes or western longitudes. For example, 48°51'30.24"N becomes 48 + (51/60) + (30.24/3600) = 48.8584. The geo: URI does not accept DMS notation; decimal degrees are required.
06How do I create a QR code that opens Google Maps?+
Encode the URL https://www.google.com/maps?q=latitude,longitude — for example https://www.google.com/maps?q=48.8584,2.2945 — as a standard URL QR code. You can also use a place name: https://www.google.com/maps?q=Eiffel+Tower,Paris. This approach opens Google Maps on both Android and iOS without relying on the geo: URI scheme.
07Can I encode a physical address rather than coordinates?+
A postal address can be encoded as plain text, but a maps application may not reliably interpret unstructured text as a location. The most reliable method is to look up the coordinates of the address using Google Maps or similar, and encode those as a geo: URI or a Google Maps URL. Coordinates are unambiguous; addresses can have abbreviation or formatting variations.
08Does a geo: QR code expire?+
No. The geo: URI is encoded directly in the pattern with no expiry date and no server dependency. The code will continue to point to the same coordinates indefinitely. It will not expire if this website closes.
09Can I use a location QR code for a trailhead or remote site with no address?+
Yes. A geo: URI or a Google Maps URL with latitude and longitude coordinates works for any point on Earth regardless of whether it has a postal address. This is the primary advantage of coordinate-based QR codes over address-based text codes.
10Is my location data uploaded when I generate a QR code here?+
No. The QR code is generated in your browser. The coordinates you enter are not sent to a server. The only copy that leaves your device is the image file you choose to download.