Custom Point and Line Maps
Use the mapBuilder form just above to create a custom point map from a spreadsheet. Or, map points or lines (routes) from a KML file exported from Google My Maps, Google Earth or GIS software.
Assign different colors, add labels, and explore your custom spreadsheet point data on an interactive map. Or, create custom points and lines from a KML file exported from Google My Maps, Google Earth or your favorite GIS software.*
Map your customers, prospects, field sites, GPS points, KML routes and more with this free point and line map generator!
No need to download complicated software. With this easy online point and line mapping tool, you can quickly create interactive custom point and line route maps on Google Maps, plus add titles, colors, cities, counties, townships, ZIP Codes and more. Get your point across by getting your points on the map!
More is more: Include additional columns in your spreadsheet! Additional columns will be viewable using the “more…” button that appears when you click your custom points. Any links (urls) you include in your spreadsheet will become clickable links!
Data changed? No problem! The spreadsheet will be live-linked to the map, so if your data changes, the map will automatically update the next time you visit the page.
To get started, use the mapBuilder form above as your point map maker to create a map for free!
What if I only have addresses in my spreadsheet?
While it’s fastest to have latitude longitudes in your spreadsheet, if you only have addresses, the tool will automatically geocode the addresses using the US Census Bureau’s geocoder, which will convert the addresses into lat longs that can be pasted into your Google Sheet!** The Address column must contain U.S. addresses in this format: address, city, state, ZIP Code.
What if my points or lines are from outside the U.S.? Custom points and lines can be mapped with latitude longitudes from anywhere in the world and used with certain map tools that have worldwide coverage, such as Elevation and Time Zones!
* Only KML points and lines are supported. For KML points, the KML file MUST contain longitude and latitude coordinates in decimal degrees; geocoded addresses without coordinates are NOT supported. Routes can be exported from Google My Maps using the “Add directions” button, specifying your from and to location, then exporting the route data from the map in KML format. Just follow the steps found in the “Import Points and Lines from a KML file” module found in mapBuilder above!
** Note the Census Bureau’s geocoder isn’t always accurate, and it takes about 1 second per 10 addresses, and only works with US addresses. So if you have a lot of addresses and/or you need higher accuracy, you may want to use some other address geocoder service (Start by Googling “free online address geocoder”). Then, use mapBuilder’s “Add custom points and lines to the map” module.
FAQs for Custom Point and Line Maps
With this functionality, you can create links on your own website that open a window to the Custom Points and Lines Map tool, zoomed into your area of interest and overlaid with your choice of counties, cities, townships, ZIP Codes and more!
Quick Tips for using this Custom Point and Line Maps Tool
- Follow the instructions in the mapBuilder form above to create a link to your own custom map.
- Once your customer uses the map you create, they can do the following:
- Type an address, city, etc. into the Search places box above the map and choose the desired location from the auto-complete list
- Click the map to see the points near the clicked location (Monthly Contributors also get Dynamic Maps)
- Search using GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude) using the Find lat long box in the top right above the map*
- Click the ◉ Use Current Location button in the upper right corner of the map to use current location. Click the ◉ Use Current Location button again to automatically update current location every 1, 5 or 10 minutes (Monthly Contributors also get an option to update every several seconds, shown as ◉A for Active).**
- Check the Show labels checkbox in the lower left corner of the map to see the custom points labelled on the map
- Use the SHOW OTHER LAYERS panel in the lower left corner of the map to show county lines, US city limits, US civil townships and US ZIP Codes on the map, overlaid on the custom point map.
- Save your map or Share it with others
Learn More
- Create custom map overlays above, and explore Selection Tools and Census data below
- Review additional usage tips, coverage notes, sources and disclaimers below
- Subscribe to email updates below for tool updates and usage tips
- Get Access to expanded funtionality with Ad-Free Fullscreen Map tools
* You can search using various formats of latitude longitude, including degrees, minutes and seconds; degrees and decimal minutes; or decimal degrees
** The ◉ Use Current Location button will be more accurate on smartphones and other devices containing a GPS; desktop browsers typically show an approximate location
Census Bureau Statistics
Click the Census links above the map to show the following Census demographic data for the feature the blue pin is located in
Additional Usage Tips
- Be sure to read the Quick Tips above on how to use this map tool
- The Search places box uses a standard Google Maps geocoding engine, therefore you can type street addresses, road names, points of interest, etc. to see what custom points ane lines that location is near
– Note that typing an address will zoom in the map very close, whereas typing a city or county by itself will show you a map with a wider view - Because the map layers are complex, boundaries will not be shown if you are zoomed out too far
- Search the FAQs for more detailed help
Coverage Notes
- US coverage includes Counties in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa
“Show US city limits” draws all incorporated cities and towns in the United States and its territories and possessions - Within the UK, England displays Counties and Unitary Authorities, Scotland displays Council Points, Wales displays Principal Points, and Northern Ireland displays Districts. Explanation of Unitary Authorities, Council Points, Principal Points and Districts.
- Australia displays Local Government Points (LGAs)
- New Zealand displays Territorial Authorities
- Canada displays Census Divisions, which are Counties in some provinces but may include other geographies
- Mexico displays Municipalities, which are the next level administrative divisions below State
- Switzerland displays Districts
Sources
– US: Census Bureau– UK: Open Government License – Contains Office of National Statistics data, Ordnance Survey data ©Crown copyright and database right 2017. Open Data Lincese – Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.
– Ireland: Open Data and Creative Commons License – Ordnance Survey Ireland
– Australia: Incorporates Administrative Boundaries ©PSMA Australia Limited licensed by the Commonwealth of Australia under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence
– New Zealand: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 – Stats NZ
– Canada: Open License – Boundary Files, 2016 Census; Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-160-X
– Mexico: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI)
– Switzerland: Swiss Federal Office of Topography
DISCLAIMER
Accuracy and Limitations: The information provided by this map tool has been obtained from various public data sources shown in the Sources box above. These sources have varying degrees of reliability and completeness and are subject to change over time. Additionally, while the latitude and longitude values displayed by the map marker suggest a high degree of precision, you should be aware that the underlying Google Maps and source data may not reflect this level of accuracy nor precision.No Legal or Surveying Use: Due to these potential inaccuracies, this tool is not intended for, and must not be used for, legal, surveying, or any critical decision-making purposes. The information is provided on an as-is basis for general reference and entertainment purposes only. For specific inquiries regarding data accuracy or fitness for use, please consult the original data sources. For decisions requiring precise location data, consult the appropriate government or other authoritative sources, and seek professional legal advice.
Agreement to Terms: BY USING THIS WEBSITE, YOU ACCEPT AND AGREE TO ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OUTLINED ON THIS LINKED PAGE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ALL PROVISIONS OF THE COPYRIGHT, TERMS OF USE, DISCLAIMER AND PRIVACY POLICY. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO ALL OF THESE TERMS, DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE.