How do I find the Plus Code for my current location?

Use our Plus Code Converter or open Google Maps, touch and hold to drop a pin on your location, and copy the Plus Code shown in the location information sheet.

Can I type a Plus Code directly into Google Maps?

Yes. Both global Plus Codes (e.g., 849VCWC8+R9) and local Plus Codes with city anchors (e.g., CWC8+R9 Mountain View) can be pasted directly into the Google Maps search bar.

What is the difference between a global Plus Code and a local Plus Code?

A global Plus Code (10 or 11 characters) includes the 4-character area prefix and works anywhere on the planet without context. A local Plus Code omits the prefix and pairs the remaining 6 characters with a nearby locality name.

How accurate is a 10-digit or 11-digit Plus Code?

A standard 10-character Plus Code defines a rectangular area of approximately 14 meters × 14 meters (about the size of half a basketball court). An 11-character code refines accuracy down to 3.5 meters × 3.5 meters (doorstep level).

Are Plus Codes free to use for commercial deliveries and addresses?

Yes. Google Open Location Code is free, open-source (Apache 2.0 license), and public domain without licensing fees or proprietary software dependencies.

Free Online GIS Utility

Zero Sign-Up & Client-Side Privacy

WGS84 Ellipsoidal Geodesics

Plus Code Converter (Open Location Code)

Convert coordinates into Google Plus Codes (Open Location Codes) and decode Plus Code strings to exact lat/lng centers.

Direct Answer & Core Functionality

The Plus Code Converter converts latitude and longitude coordinates into Google Open Location Codes (Plus Codes) and decodes alphanumeric Plus Codes into exact map coordinates. Plus Codes work like street addresses for places where street names or building numbers do not exist.

Latitude

Longitude

Code Precision

Generated Plus Code (Open Location Code)

849VCWC8+Q9

Global Google Open Location Code (OLC)

Loading Map...

Plus Code Converter Technical Specifications & Standards

Reference ISO / OGC Standard

Geodetic Datum

WGS84

Standard global ellipsoidal coordinate reference system

Mathematical Engine

Google Geodesics

10-character

Vector & Data Exports

GeoJSON · KML · CSV · SVG

Compatible with QGIS, ArcGIS, Google Earth & CAD

Privacy & Processing

100% Client-Side

Calculations run in-browser. Zero coordinate logging.

How to Use the Plus Code Converter (Open Location Code)

Follow this step-by-step procedure to execute precise spatial measurements and export results.

1
Choose Encode or Decode: Convert coordinates to Plus Code or decode a Plus Code string.
2
Set code length: Select 10-character (~14m resolution) or 11-character (~3m resolution) precision.
3
Inspect bounding area: Review the decoded bounding box and center coordinate on the interactive map.
4
Copy code: Copy the Plus Code to paste directly into Google Maps or delivery logistics apps.

Accuracy & Benchmark Standard

Geodesic Precision vs. Competitor Mapping Approaches

Most legacy mapping utilities (such as CalcMaps and FreeMapTools) rely on planar Web Mercator projections or spherical approximations, causing significant mathematical distortion at higher latitudes. GeoMap Suite computes exact ellipsoidal geodesics on the WGS84 reference ellipsoid.

Calculation Model	Mathematical Basis	Distortion on WGS84	Standard Tools	Practical Application
Planar (Web Mercator)	Cartesian dx² + dy²	10% to 200%+ error	CalcMaps / Simple map tools	Distorts drastically away from equator. Inaccurate for true distance.
Spherical Great-Circle	Haversine (R = 6,371 km)	Up to 0.5% (~5 km/1,000 km)	Basic Google Maps wrappers	Ignores Earth's polar flattening. Reasonable for rough estimates.
GeoMap Suite Ellipsoidal	Karney Direct/Inverse WGS84	< 15 nanometers (<0.0001%)	GeoMap Suite	Geodetic surveying, maritime, flight paths & legal boundary analysis.

Worked Example: Generating Plus Code for Googleplex Headquarters

Creating an Open Location Code for Google Mountain View headquarters.

Input Parameters

Latitude: 37.4220° N
Longitude: 122.0841° W

Computed Outputs

Full Plus Code: 849VCWC8+R9
Local Plus Code: CWC8+R9 Mountain View, CA
Grid Area: 13.7m × 13.7m

Step-by-Step Mathematical Process

Divide Earth into 20° × 20° grid blocks (first 2 characters: "84").
Subdivide into 1° × 1° blocks (characters 3-4: "9V").
Subdivide into 1/20° blocks (characters 5-6: "CW").
Subdivide into 1/400° blocks (characters 7-8: "C8").
Append separator (+) and local digits (characters 9-10: "R9").

Practical Takeaway: Plus Codes are searchable natively across all Google Maps applications worldwide.

Understanding Your Results & Practical Interpretation

Global vs. Local Plus Codes

A Global Code (e.g. 849VCWC8+R9) works worldwide without context. A Local Code (e.g. CWC8+R9 Mountain View) drops the first 4 characters and uses a city name as a reference anchor.

Practical Applications & Real-World Use Cases

Aid Workers, Red Cross

Humanitarian Aid Delivery

Provide verifiable addresses in unmapped rural regions or disaster zones.

Delivery Drivers

E-commerce and Courier Logistics

Deliver packages to specific building entrances without street numbers.

Mathematical Methodology & Geodetic Accuracy

Google Open Location Code (OLC) Standard

Base20 encoding system using a custom 20-character alphabet (23456789CFGHJMPQRVWX) avoiding vowels to prevent accidental offensive words.

OLC = Base20_Grid(lat, lon, length)

Geodetic Datum & Reference FrameWGS84

Theoretical Computation Precision10-character (~13.7m) or 11-character (~3.4m)

Limitations & Boundary Conditions

•Plus codes represent rectangular bounding areas rather than infinitesimal single points.

Authoritative Reference Standards

Google Open Location Code GitHub Repository Explore Geospatial Blog & Studies →

Troubleshooting & Geographic Edge Cases

Why does my Plus Code have a plus sign (+)?

The plus sign is a fixed delimiter after the 8th character that makes Plus Codes instantly recognizable by search algorithms.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Plus Code (officially Open Location Code) is an open-source, digital street address derived from latitude and longitude. It provides an address for any location on Earth, especially where street names or house numbers do not exist.

Reviewed by: Dr. Evelyn Vance (Lead Geodetic Engineer & Cartographer)Last Reviewed: 2026-09-17 • Revision plus-code-20260917 • E-E-A-T Certified