Elevation

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About editing Optionally, edit a Drawing on the map (including renaming it) then click the Save Drawing button on the map. Drawings can be deleted on your My Account page.

Measurements: Length or area will be shown when you draw or edit a line or shape • To change the length or area of a shape you've just drawn, use the Hand tool in the upper left of the map to grab the shape and then drag its vertices as needed to get the length or area you desire

Create custom areas from ZIP Codes or Counties

Create custom areas from ZIP Codes or Counties

Create a custom area from a list of ZIP Codes

Define a delivery area, service area or sales territory using a list of 5-digit or 3-digit U.S. ZIP Codes

Show Me How

Color-code ZIP Codes from a spreadsheet

Create a custom color-coded map using a live link to a Google Sheet containing U.S. ZIP Codes

Show Me How

Color-code Counties from a spreadsheet

Create a custom color-coded map using a live link to a Google Sheet containing U.S. Counties

Show Me How

Type or paste a comma-separated list of 5-digit and/or 3-digit ZIP Codes into the box below, OR

Click here to select ZIP Codes by drawing on the map

about this Selection Tool

see a sample map

1. In Google Sheets, create a spreadsheet that includes these columns: ZIP Code, Data* and Color. If additional columns are present, a "more..." button will appear above the map when the user clicks on your custom area. • Free version has a limit of 1,000 rows; monthly contributors can map up to 10,000 rows per map
• You can use any combination of 5-digit ZIP Codes and 3-digit ZIP Codes
• Map data will be read from first tab in your Google Sheet; the first row must contain column headers
• If you don't have a Google Sheet, create one by importing from Excel or a .csv file
• The header of the Data column will be used as the map legend heading
• Links included in the sheet beginning with https:// will be clickable when the user clicks the map on that ZIP Code
• The Color column is optional. If used, the Color column can contain any browser-supported color name or any 6-digit hex color code

2. In Google Sheets, Share your spreadsheet with Anyone with the link permissions and click the Copy link button In Google Sheets:
1. Click the Share button in the upper right corner
2. Click the Get link section in the box that appears
3. Change the sharing setting to Anyone with the link (keep the drop-down to the right set as Viewer)
4. Click the Copy link button
5. Click Done
See screenshot of these 5 steps

3. Paste the link you just copied into the box below:

* What is the Data column? The Data column is the first column in your spreadsheet other than ZIP Code and Color, such as Territory in the image at right. The Data column will appear in the map legend.

Click here to select ZIP Codes for your spreadsheet by drawing on the map

about this Selection Tool

Color-code ZIP Codes from spreadsheet example

see a sample map

1. In Google Sheets, create a spreadsheet that includes these columns: County, State Abbrev, Data* and Color. If additional columns are present, a "more..." button will appear above the map when the user clicks on your custom area. • Free version has a limit of 1,000 rows; monthly contributors can map up to 10,000 rows per map
• Map data will be read from first tab in your Google Sheet; the first row must contain column headers
• If you don't have a Google Sheet, create one by importing from Excel or a .csv file
• The header of the Data column will be used as the map legend heading
• Links included in the sheet beginning with https:// will be clickable when the user clicks the map on that county
• The Color column is optional. If used, the Color column can contain any browser-supported color name or any 6-digit hex color code

2. In Google Sheets, Share your spreadsheet with Anyone with the link permissions and click the Copy link button In Google Sheets:
1. Click the Share button in the upper right corner
2. Click the Get link section in the box that appears
3. Change the sharing setting to Anyone with the link (keep the drop-down to the right set as Viewer)
4. Click the Copy link button
5. Click Done
See screenshot of these 5 steps

3. Paste the link you just copied into the box below:

* What is the Data column? The Data column is the first column in your spreadsheet other than State, County and Color, such as Salesperson in the image at right. The Data column will appear in the map legend.

Click here to select Counties for your spreadsheet by drawing on the map

about this Selection Tool

Color-code counties from spreadsheet example

see a sample map

Add custom points and lines to the map

Add custom points and lines to the map

Add points from a spreadsheet

Create a live link to a Google Sheet containing latitude/longitude points or addresses

Show Me How

Import points and lines from a KML file

Export to KML from Google My Maps, Google Earth or GIS software

Show Me How

1. In Google Sheets, create a spreadsheet that includes these columns: Longitude, Latitude, Data* and Color. You can also map Addresses**. If additional columns are present, a "more..." button will appear above the map when the user clicks on your custom point. • Map data will be read from first tab in your Google Sheet; the first row must contain column headers
• If you don't have a Google Sheet, create one by importing from Excel or a .csv file
• Longitude and Latitude must be in decimal degrees such as -87.633, 41.854 for Chicago (note: the U.S. and western hemisphere have negative longitudes)
• The header of the Data column will be used as the map legend heading
• Links included in the sheet beginning with https:// will be clickable when the user clicks the map on that custom point
• The Color column is optional. If used, the Color column can contain any browser-supported color name or any 6-digit hex color code
• If present, the Address column must contain U.S. addresses in this format: address, city, state, ZIP Code**
• If you don't already have Longitude/Latitudes and want to build your Google Sheet interactively: As you click the map or use Search places, the Long Lat is shown above the map and you can copy/paste it into your Google Sheet

2. In Google Sheets, Share your spreadsheet with Anyone with the link permissions and click the Copy link button In Google Sheets:
1. Click the Share button in the upper right corner
2. Click the Get link section in the box that appears
3. Change the sharing setting to Anyone with the link (keep the drop-down to the right set as Viewer)
4. Click the Copy link button
5. Click Done
See screenshot of these 5 steps

3. Paste the link you just copied into the box below:

* What is the Data column? The Data column is the first column in your spreadsheet other than Lat, Long and Color, such as Name in the image at right. The Data column will appear in the map legend.

** Addresses will be converted to Latitude and Longitude so they can be mapped. Read details about mapping addresses.

Add points from spreadsheet example

see a sample map

1. Export a KML file containing points or lines from Google My Maps, Google Earth or GIS software • Only points and lines will be mapped from your KML file
• To use KMZ files exported from Google My Maps, you must also share your Google My Maps with Anyone with the link permission. KMZ files can be buggy, so if you have issues, use a KML file instead.
• For points, the KML file MUST contain Longitude and Latitude (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

2. Upload the KML file to Google Drive

3. From Google Drive, right click the file and choose Share. In the General access box, click Anyone with the link, then click Copy link and then Done

4. Paste the link you just copied into the box below:

see a sample points and lines map

see a sample points and route map

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Set map title & display options

Set an embedded title for your map, set the map type and choose how you want to center the map (all optional)

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NEW! Map layer and label visibility is controlled using the checkboxes in the lower left corner of the map

Center map on user location
Use current map center & zoom level
Hide map legend
Also show ZIP Code labels outside my custom area

Click Apply to view your finished map

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Elevation

View an Elevation Map on Google Maps anywhere in the world

See elevation for any city, address or place, and create an Elevation Profile on Google Maps worldwide with this free, interactive map tool. Keep reading to learn how to draw an elevation profile along any path, learn how to show contour lines near the blue pin’s location, and how to keep your location automatically updated on the map.

Elevation finder: Click the map to see the elevation (distance above sea level) anywhere in the world! This elevation map tool can also show county lines, city limits and township boundaries as well.

Quick Tips for using this Elevation map tool

  1. There are four ways to get started using this Elevation map tool
    • Type an address, city, etc. into the Search places box above the map and choose the one you want from the auto-complete list
    • Click the map to see the elevation for where you clicked (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 your current device location. Click the ◉ Use Current Location button again to automatically update your location every 1, 5 or 10 minutes (Monthly Contributors also get an option to update every several seconds, shown as ◉A for Active).**
    The approximate elevation will be shown for the blue pin. Also, county lines will draw on the map, and the county name, state name***, country name and latitude/longitude for the blue pin’s location will appear at the top of the map
  2. Click the Use m/km button in the lower left corner of the map to use the metric system (meters and kilometers). Click “Use ft/mi” to use the imperial system (feet and miles). By default, U.S. users will see feet and users in the rest of the world will see meters.
  3. Click the blue Elevation Profile button in the lower left corner of the map to create an elevation profile along the path you draw. Double-click the map at the last point you wish to draw, and an Elevation Profile will appear. †
  4. Check the Show same elevations checkbox in the lower left corner of the map to show all the places on the map with elevations similar to the blue pin’s location. Seven contour lines will draw: the elevation of the blue pin will be the blue line, and three contours will draw at 20 ft/m intervals above your elevation in red and three contours will draw at 20 ft/m intervals below your clicked elevation in green. You can change the target elevation in three ways: by clicking the map, typing a value in the Find Elevation box in the lower left corner of the map or by typing a place in the Search places box above the map. (TIP: to ensure the target elevation does not change while exploring the map, drag the map or use the +/- zoom buttons, but do not single-click the map as that will change the elevation to the place you clicked.) Exit the dynamic contour lines mode by unchecking the “Show same elevations” checkbox. †
  5. Check the Show labels checkbox in the lower left corner of the map to see the county name labels on the elevation map
  6. 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 elevation map
  7. Save your map or Share it with others
Learn More

* 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
*** Or equivalent province, district, etc.
† Limited on free version; unlimited for Monthly Contributors

Why would you need a map with elevation and contour lines?

Here are several example uses for elevation and contour lines on Google Maps (see disclaimer):

  • Worldwide Exploration: Discover the diverse topography of our planet, from towering peaks to barren deserts below sea level, fostering global geographical awareness.
  • Outdoor Activities: Help plan hiking, biking, and trekking routes anywhere in the world, creating elevation profiles and knowing what elevations to expect.
  • International Civil Engineering: Plan global infrastructure projects, understanding topography to build sustainable roads, bridges and buildings.
  • Flood Risk Assessment: Use elevation to help identify areas prone to flooding, assisting international disaster relief and urban planning efforts.
  • Real Estate and Property Evaluation: Prospective property buyers can gauge the view, drainage, and other factors influenced by elevation.
  • Environmental and Conservation Efforts: Understanding how topography may influence ecosystems and habitats.
  • Agricultural Optimization: Farmers can determine suitable crops for an area based on its elevation and slope, optimizing irrigation and drainage.
  • Global Geological Research: Study earth’s formations, fault lines, erosion patterns across different countries and terrains.
  • Water Resource Management: Worldwide identification of watersheds, river basins, and potential sites for sustainable water harvesting.
  • Global Aviation Planning: Pilots can use elevation to help plan flight routes across continents, considering topography, especially in uncharted or less familiar terrains.
  • Academic Research: Facilitate worldwide studies in geography, earth sciences, and archaeology by providing students and researchers with comprehensive elevation data.
  • Transportation and Logistics: Plan efficient global transportation routes, considering elevation challenges for railways, highways, and other transit systems.
  • Historical and Cultural Exploration: Understand how civilizations evolved around mountain ranges, valleys, and terrains, giving context to historical and cultural narratives.
  • Renewable Energy Projects: Identify optimal locations for wind, solar, or hydroelectric installations across diverse landscapes around the world.

Census Bureau Statistics

Click the feature names above the map to show the following Census demographic data for the feature the blue pin is located in

Census data is available for U.S. cities, counties, civil townships and ZIP Codes.

Populations and People
Total Population
Income and Poverty
Median Household Income
Education
Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
Employment
Employment Rate
Housing
Total Housing Units
Health
Without Health Care Coverage
Families and Living Arrangements
Total Households
Race and Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)

FAQs for Elevation

How do I show Google Maps elevation / altitude?
This Elevation map tool shows elevation / altitude on Google Maps. Click anywhere on the map to get its elevation, click the 'use location' button in the upper right corner of the map to see your current elevation, or Search places above the map.
How do I draw a Google Maps elevation profile?
This Elevation Profile map tool lets you draw elevation profiles on Google Maps. Click the 'Elevation Profile' button on the left side of the map, draw a path and double-click at the last point, and an Elevation Profile along your path will appear above the map.
How do I find elevation on Google Maps?
This Elevation map tool displays elevation on Google Maps. Click the 'use location' button in the upper right corner of the map to see your current elevation, or click anywhere on the map, or Search places above the map.
Why might I need to know the elevation for a given place or address?
You might need to know the elevation for a place to: - plan a hiking route, biking route, or camping spot - plan a road trip, including vehicle maintenance or winterization - anticipate elevation-based weather changes - find a place to live - record elevation information when conducting field research using GPS coordinates (see * above) - avoiding places above a certain altitude for health reasons - perform search and rescue where elevation is a factor - know if you need to adjust a cooking recipe for high altitude
Is there a Google Maps elevation layer?
This Elevation / Altitude map tool has a global elevation layer on Google Maps. Click the 'use location' button in the upper right corner of the map to see your current elevation, or click anywhere on the map, or Search places above the map.
Looking for the County Lines map tool?

Additional Usage Tips

  • Be sure to read the Quick Tips above on how to use this map tool
  • In the upper right corner of the map, you can switch the map between Map view (with optional Terrain), Satellite view or POI view (points of interest)
  • As you zoom in, highways, roads, streets, rivers, streams and other map features are also shown on this global Elevation map
  • 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 the elevation for that location
    – 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
Looking for an all-in-one tool to explore multiple boundaries on Google Maps? Here it is: Location Explorer.

Coverage Notes

  • Elevation coverage is worldwide. In the U.S., the vertical accuracy is typically within 8ft (2.44m), in the rest of the world the vertical accuracy is typically within 16m (52.5ft).
  • The elevation shown is ground elevation, excluding trees, buildings and any other surface objects.

ELEVATION Sources

– US: United States Geological Survey
– Rest of World: U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Jet Propulsion Labratory

BOUNDARY LINE 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
Want to create a Sales Territory, Service Territory or Delivery Area map based on ZIP Codes — all overlaid on Google Maps?

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.





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