QR Codes de localisation géographique : Partager des coordonnées
geo: URI and Google Maps URL QR codes for sharing locations. Coordinate formats, maps app compatibility, and use cases.
Geographic Location QR Codes: Share Coordinates
Geo QR codes encode geographic coordinates that open a maps application when scanned, pinpointing an exact location for the user.
The geo: URI Format
The standard format defined in RFC 5870:
geo:37.7749,-122.4194
The format is: geo:{latitude},{longitude} with optional altitude and uncertainty parameters.
Google Maps URL Alternative
For broader compatibility, many implementations use a Google Maps URL instead:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=37.7749,-122.4194
Or the shorter format:
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.7749,-122.4194,15z
geo: vs Google Maps URL
| Feature | geo: URI | Google Maps URL |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | RFC 5870 | Proprietary |
| iOS support | Opens Apple Maps | Opens Google Maps or browser |
| Android support | Opens default maps | Opens Google Maps |
| Size | Shorter | Longer |
| Offline | Maps app handles | Requires internet |
Recommendation: Use geo: for the most compact QR code, or Google Maps URL for guaranteed browser fallback.
Coordinate Format
- Use decimal degrees (37.7749, -122.4194)
- Positive latitude = North, negative = South
- Positive longitude = East, negative = West
- Provide at least 4 decimal places for ~11 metre accuracy
- Six decimal places give ~0.11 metre accuracy
Use Cases
- Event venues: Conference or wedding location on invitations
- Real estate: Property location on listing flyers
- Tourism: Points of interest on printed guides
- Delivery: Drop-off location on shipping labels
- Emergency: Meeting points on safety signage
Enhancing Location QR Codes
For richer location sharing, consider using a URL QR code linking to a custom landing page that includes:
- Embedded map with the pin
- Written directions and parking information
- Public transport options
- Contact phone number for the location
Key Takeaways
geo:URI is the standard format (RFC 5870) for location QR codes- Google Maps URLs offer broader compatibility at the cost of larger QR codes
- Use decimal degrees with 4+ decimal places for adequate precision
- All major smartphone platforms handle location QR codes natively
- For rich location info, link to a web page with embedded maps