What is the Geolocation API?

The Geolocation API is how a website asks your browser where you are. The page calls navigator.geolocation, the browser asks you for permission, and then it answers with a latitude, a longitude and an accuracy radius in meters. It's what powers "near me" searches, store finders and the blue dot on web maps.

The browser picks the source. A phone with GPS can get within a few meters, while a laptop usually guesses from nearby Wi-Fi networks or your IP address, which can be off by a few kilometers. Browsers also only allow it on secure HTTPS pages.

Tool description

The tool first checks your browser: whether it has the Geolocation API, whether the page is on HTTPS, and whether location permission is granted, blocked or not asked yet. Press Check My Location and it asks for your position, then shows it on a map with a circle for the accuracy radius.

Below the map you get the coordinates, the accuracy, the time of the reading, and altitude, heading and speed when your device reports them. Those last ones usually need a GPS fix, so most laptops show Not provided. Turn on High accuracy to ask for GPS, which is slower and uses more battery.

Turn on Live tracking and press Start Tracking to follow your position as you move. It uses watchPosition, the same call web navigation apps use, so the pin, the accuracy circle and the fields update with every new fix, and the Updates field counts how many arrived. Drag or zoom the map to look around, then press the crosshair button on the map to follow your location again.

If a site can't find you, this is a quick way to see why: an old browser, a page without HTTPS, blocked permission or location services turned off. The tool never sends your position to our server, only the map tiles load from OpenStreetMap.

Features

  • Checks API support, HTTPS and the location permission state
  • Shows your position and accuracy circle on a map, once or live as you move
  • Lists coordinates, accuracy, altitude, heading and speed with copy buttons