What Datum Does Google Maps Use? – Explained

Google Maps is one of the most popular mapping applications in the world, providing users with satellite imagery, street maps, panoramic views of streets, and route planning for traveling by foot, car, bicycle, or public transportation. The accuracy of Google Maps is essential for its users, but what datum does Google Maps use? This article will explore the datum used by Google Maps and how it affects the accuracy of the maps.

Google Maps uses the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS 84), also known as the WGS 84 geoid.

Before we dive into what datum Google Maps uses, it is essential to understand what datum is.

Understanding Datum

Datum is a set of coordinates used as a reference for mapping the Earth’s surface. The datum allows maps to accurately represent the Earth’s surface, including its shape and size.

A datum can be thought of as a mathematical model of the Earth’s surface. It takes into account the Earth’s shape, size, and rotation, as well as the effects of gravity and tides. Different datums are used for different purposes, such as navigation, mapping, and scientific research.

What Datum Does Google Maps Use?

Google Maps uses the WGS 84 datum, which stands for World Geodetic System 1984. WGS 84 is the latest geodetic datum and is widely used by the Global Positioning System (GPS) and other satellite navigation systems worldwide. It was developed by the US Department of Defense and is maintained by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

WGS 84 defines the shape and size of the earth as an oblate spheroid, which is a sphere that is slightly flattened at the poles and bulges at the equator. The datum uses a coordinate system called latitude and longitude, which provides a unique set of coordinates for every point on the earth’s surface. Google Maps uses these coordinates to display locations accurately on its maps.

READ MORE: Google Map Vs Google Earth

What Datum Does GPS Use?

The GPS (Global Positioning System) uses the WGS84 (World Geodetic System 1984) datum as its reference system for determining geographic coordinates (latitude, longitude, and altitude) of a location on the Earth’s surface. The WGS84 datum is a standardized reference system used by many GPS devices and applications worldwide.

READ MORE: Difference Between GPS and DGPS

How Does The Datum Affect Google Maps Accuracy?

The datum used by Google Maps affects the accuracy of the maps in several ways. Firstly, the accuracy of the coordinates provided by GPS devices depends on the datum used. If the GPS device and the map use different datums, there will be a difference in the coordinates’ accuracy.

Secondly, the datum affects the map’s projection, which is the way the curved surface of the Earth is represented on a flat surface. Different projections can lead to different distortions of the Earth’s surface, affecting the map’s accuracy.

Lastly, the datum affects the map’s scale, which is the ratio between the distance on the map and the actual distance on the Earth’s surface. Different datums can have different scales, which can affect the map’s accuracy.

Conclusion

Google Maps uses the WGS 84 datum, which is a global datum used for navigation, tracking, and targeting purposes. The WGS 84 datum provides the most accurate representation of the Earth’s surface currently available. The datum used by Google Maps affects the accuracy of the maps in several ways, including the accuracy of GPS coordinates, the map’s projection, and the map’s scale.

FAQs: What Datum Does Google Maps Use?