Drawing a Radius on Google Maps: Easy Guide

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by Ana Gajic 

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Drawing a radius on Google Maps

Google Maps doesn’t natively support drawing a radius within the app.

However, I found a handy workaround through a third-party tool. Let me show you:

How to Draw a Radius on Google Maps

  1. Create a new map in My Maps: Go to Google My Maps, and create a new map by clicking the Create a New Map button.
    Creating a new map in My Maps
  2. Add a location in My Maps: In the window that opens, type the name of the place for which you want to draw a radius into the search bar.
    Adding a location in My Maps
  3. Add the location to your map: You’ll see a pin on the map and the option to add that place to your map. Click Add to Map in the text box above the pin.
    Adding a location a new map in My Maps
  4. Copy the location coordinates: After you add the place to your map, its latitude and longitude values will appear. Copy these values, and move on to the next step.
    A location's latitude and longitude coordinates
  5. Access the Circle Plot radius drawing tool: Open your web browser and navigate to the FCC’s Circle Plot Tool.
  6. Enter coordinates or address: Input the latitude and longitude coordinates of the center point for your radius plot. Alternatively, enter a specific address in the provided fields. This step allows you to define the central location around which the radius will be drawn.
    Adding location coordinates in Circle Plot
  7. Specify radius distance: Enter the desired radius distance in kilometers or miles into the input field provided. This parameter determines the size of the circle to be plotted around the chosen center point.
  8. Download the file: Once you’ve entered the coordinates/address and specified the radius distance, click the Create KML file button. The tool will generate a circle plot on the map, and download the file.
    Creating a KML map in Circle Plot
  9. Add a layer in My Maps: Once you’ve downloaded your KML file, go back to My Maps, and select Add new layer. Then click the Import button to add the KML file you’ve just created.
    Adding a new layer in My Maps
  10. You should now have a radius around the selected location.
    Radius added in My Maps

Drawing a radius on Google Maps isn’t currently possible. However, using the workaround in this guide, you can visualize and analyze geographic areas with precision.

Ana Gajic

Ana Gajic Shield

Technical Writer

Ana is an experienced technical writer and she likes solving problems and fixing errors.

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