# Travel >> Travel Preparation >> Maps

How to Locate an Address With Coordinates

GPS was a government satellite system for navigation that became available to the public in 2000. Civilians have been using hand-held devices to detect these signals and download coordinates to any location since then. It is possible to find an address that corresponds to the longitude and latitude of a specific location. Real addresses are more useful when referring other people to a particular location.

Instructions

- 1
  Collect the coordinates in longitude and latitude. These are available on a hand-held GPS if you are obtaining the coordinates yourself or you can determine them from a map.
- 2
  Convert any decimal coordinates to degrees, minutes and seconds. A free conversion calculator is available on the FCC website.
- 3
  Enter the coordinates in degrees, minutes and seconds into Google maps or other geocoding websites. Be sure to include the direction, N and W, with the coordinates.
- 4
  Get the approximate address from the left side of Google Maps or in the results box from a geocoding entry.