This wikiHow teaches you how to determine north on Google Maps on a computer. Since you can no longer rotate or change the orientation of the map on a PC or Mac computer, the north side of the map will always point up or be at the top of the map. However, if you use street view or “Street View” on Google Maps to locate a location closely, you can always pinpoint north with a compass; The red dot on a compass needle always points north.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using Street View or “Street View”
Step 1. Visit https://maps.google.com via a web browser
You can use any browser on your computer, including Safari, Edge, and Chrome to access Google Maps.
Step 2. Locate the location on the map
You can search for a location via the search bar (“ Search ”) in the top left corner of the map, or click the " +" and " -" in the lower right corner of the screen to zoom in or out on the map.
To access your current location, click the icon that looks like a gray target in the lower-right corner of the map. If you haven't allowed Google Maps to use your current location, you'll be asked to grant permission first
Step 3. Drag and drop the orange human icon on the map
Look for the little orange human icon in the lower right corner of the map, then drop it on the location you want to browse on the map. After that, you will switch to street view mode or “Street View”.
“Street View” is not always available in all locations. To find a location where you can use it, click and hold the orange human icon on any part of the map. You can drop the icon on the streets marked in blue. If you are not taken to the street view of the selected area after dropping the human icon, “Street View” mode cannot be used at that location
Step 4. Use the cursor to drag the street view in any direction
You can orient the view as you wish.
Step 5. Observe the red tip of the needle on the compass icon
Look for the compass icon in the lower right corner of the street view and check which direction the red tip on the compass needle is pointing. Regardless of the direction you are heading or facing in “Street View”, the red tip on the needle will automatically move to always point north.
Method 2 of 2: Using Plain Map View
Step 1. Visit https://maps.google.com via a web browser
You can use any browser on your computer, including Safari, Edge, and Chrome to access Google Maps.
Step 2. Locate the location on the map
You can search for a location using the “ Search ” in the top left corner of the map, or click the " +" and " -" in the lower right corner of the screen to zoom in or out on the map.
Step 3. Find the north direction
Google Maps orientation will always be the same when you access it via computer. North is at the top of the map, and south is at the bottom. West is on the left side of the map, and east is always on the right. Anything directly above the location you're browsing is always on the north side of the selected location.
