Locate the User’s Position #
The HTML Geolocation API is used to get the geographical position of a user.
Since this can compromise privacy, the position is not available unless the user approves it.
Note:Geolocation is most accurate for devices with GPS, like smartphone.
The Geolocation API is supported in all browsers:
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
<script>
var x = document.getElementById("demo");
function getLocation() {
if (navigator.geolocation) {
navigator.geolocation.getCurrentPosition(showPosition);
} else {
x.innerHTML = "Geolocation is not supported by this browser.";
}
}
function showPosition(position) {
x.innerHTML = "Latitude: " + position.coords.latitude +
"<br>Longitude: " + position.coords.longitude;
}
</script> Example explained:
- Check if Geolocation is supported
- If supported, run the getCurrentPosition() method. If not, display a message to the user
- If the getCurrentPosition() method is successful, it returns a coordinates object to the function specified in the parameter (showPosition)
- The showPosition() function outputs the Latitude and Longitude
The example above is a very basic Geolocation script, with no error handling.
function showError(error) {
switch(error.code) {
case error.PERMISSION_DENIED:
x.innerHTML = "User denied the request for Geolocation."
break;
case error.POSITION_UNAVAILABLE:
x.innerHTML = "Location information is unavailable."
break;
case error.TIMEOUT:
x.innerHTML = "The request to get user location timed out."
break;
case error.UNKNOWN_ERROR:
x.innerHTML = "An unknown error occurred."
break;
}
} function showPosition(position) {
var latlon = position.coords.latitude + "," + position.coords.longitude;
var img_url = "https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/staticmap?center=
"+latlon+"&zoom=14&size=400x300&sensor=false&key=YOUR_KEY";
document.getElementById("mapholder").innerHTML = "<img src='"+img_url+"'>";
} Location-specific Information #
This page has demonstrated how to show a user’s position on a map.
Geolocation is also very useful for location-specific information, like:
- Up-to-date local information
- Showing Points-of-interest near the user
- Turn-by-turn navigation (GPS)
The getCurrentPosition() Method – Return Data #
The getCurrentPosition() method returns an object on success. The latitude, longitude and accuracy properties are always returned. The other properties are returned if available:
| Property | Returns |
|---|---|
| coords.latitude | The latitude as a decimal number (always returned) |
| coords.longitude | The longitude as a decimal number (always returned) |
| coords.accuracy | The accuracy of position (always returned) |
| coords.altitude | The altitude in meters above the mean sea level (returned if available) |
| coords.altitudeAccuracy | The altitude accuracy of position (returned if available) |
| coords.heading | The heading as degrees clockwise from North (returned if available) |
| coords.speed | The speed in meters per second (returned if available) |
| timestamp | The date/time of the response (returned if available) |
Geolocation Object – Other interesting Methods #
The Geolocation object also has other interesting methods:
watchPosition()– Returns the current position of the user and continues to return updated position as the user moves (like the GPS in a car).clearWatch()– Stops thewatchPosition()method.
The example below shows the watchPosition() method. You need an accurate GPS device to test this (like smartphone):
Example #
<script>
var x = document.getElementById("demo");
function getLocation() {
if (navigator.geolocation) {
navigator.geolocation.watchPosition(showPosition);
} else {
x.innerHTML = "Geolocation is not supported by this browser.";
}
}
function showPosition(position) {
x.innerHTML = "Latitude: " + position.coords.latitude +
"<br>Longitude: " + position.coords.longitude;
}
</script> 
