How to Find, Read, and Share GPS Coordinates on iPhone
By Lukáš Soukup · Updated August 27, 2026
Whether you are marking a remote camping spot, geotagging travel memories, sharing a secret viewpoint with a friend, or saving trailhead coordinates for navigation, understanding GPS coordinates on iPhone is essential.
1. How GPS Coordinates Work
Every point on Earth is defined by two coordinate numbers:
- Latitude (Lat): Measures how far north or south you are from the Equator (0°). Values range from -90° (South Pole) to +90° (North Pole).
- Longitude (Lng): Measures how far east or west you are from the Prime Meridian in Greenwich, England (0°). Values range from -180° (West) to +180° (East).
2. The 3 Main GPS Coordinate Formats
Decimal Degrees (DD) — The Modern Standard
Example: 37.774929, -122.419416
Used by modern mapping applications, web APIs, and GPS devices. Positive numbers indicate North/East; negative numbers indicate South/West.
Degrees, Minutes, Seconds (DMS) — The Traditional Format
Example: 37° 46' 29.74" N, 122° 25' 9.90" W
The classic navigation standard dividing degrees into minutes (1° = 60') and seconds (1' = 60").
Degrees Decimal Minutes (DDM)
Example: 37° 46.4957' N, 122° 25.1650' W
Commonly used in maritime navigation and handheld GPS receivers.
3. How to Find & Save Coordinates on iPhone
While the Apple Compass app can display your coordinates, it cannot save custom collections, organize trips, or store historical travel logs offline.
With GPS Kit for iOS, you can:
- Pin your current location with a single tap.
- Choose your preferred coordinate format (DD, DMS, or Plain).
- Record elevation/altitude alongside satellite maps.
- Add notes, photos, and group places into custom trip journals.
- Keep everything 100% private on your device without account creation.