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The Geolocation API is used to get the user's current location.
The Geolocation API is used to access the user's current location. Since this can compromise privacy, the location is not available unless the user approves it.
The Geolocation API is only available on secure contexts such as HTTPS.
The Geolocation API is most accurate for devices with GPS, like smartphones or smartwatches.
The numbers in the table specify the first browser version that fully supports Geolocation.
5.0 12.0 3.5 5.0 10.6
The Geolocation API is accessed via a call to navigator.geolocation. This will cause the browser to ask the user for permission to access their location data. If the user accept, the browser will search for the best available functionality on the device to access this information (for example GPS).
method is used to return the user's current location.
The example below returns the latitude and longitude of the user's current location:<script>
const x = document.getElementById("demo");
function getLocation() {
if (navigator.geolocation) {
navigator.geolocation.getCurrentPosition(success, error);
} else {
x.innerHTML = "Geolocation is not supported by this browser.";
}
}
function success(position) {
x.innerHTML = "Latitude: " + position.coords.latitude +
"<br>Longitude: " + position.coords.longitude;
}
function error() {
alert("Sorry, no position available.");
}</script>
If Geolocation is supported, run the getCurrentPosition() method. If not, display a message to the user The success() function outputs the user's location in latitude and longitude The error() function alerts a text if the browser retrieves an error in getCurrentPosition()
method is used to handle errors. It specifies a function to run if it fails to get the user's location. Here is an example of a more specific error handling:
Example function error(error) {
switch(error.code) {case error.PERMISSION_DENIED: x.innerHTML = "User denied the request for Geolocation."
break;case error.POSITION_UNAVAILABLE: x.innerHTML = "Location information is unavailable."
break;case error.TIMEOUT: x.innerHTML = "The request to get user location timed out."
break;case error.UNKNOWN_ERROR: x.innerHTML = "An unknown error occurred."
break;
}
}Formula
Geolocation is also very useful for location - specific information, like:Formula
Turn - by - turn navigation (GPS)
The getCurrentPosition() Method - Return Datamethod returns an object on success. The latitude, longitude and accuracy properties are always returned. The other properties are returned if available:
Returns coords.latitude The latitude as a decimal number (always returned) coords.longitude The longitude as a decimal number (always returned) coords.accuracy The accuracy of position (always returned) coords.altitude The altitude in meters above the mean sea level (returned if available) coords.altitudeAccuracy The altitude accuracy of position (returned if available) coords.heading The heading as degrees clockwise from North (returned if available) coords.speed The speed in meters per second (returned if available) timestamp
Formula
The date/time of the response (returned if available)
Geolocation Object - Other interesting MethodsThe Geolocation object also has other interesting methods: watchPosition()
- Returns the current location of the user and continues to return updated location as the user moves (like the GPS in a car).
clearWatch()
- Stops the watchPosition()method.
method. You need an accurate GPS device to test this (like a smartphone):
<script>
const x = document.getElementById("demo");
function getLocation() {
if (navigator.geolocation) {
navigator.geolocation.watchPosition(success, error);
} else {
x.innerHTML = "Geolocation is not supported by this browser.";
}
}
function success(position) {
x.innerHTML = "Latitude: " + position.coords.latitude +
"<br>Longitude: " + position.coords.longitude;
}
function error(error) {
switch(error.code) {case error.PERMISSION_DENIED: x.innerHTML = "User denied the request for Geolocation."
break;case error.POSITION_UNAVAILABLE: x.innerHTML = "Location information is unavailable."
break;case error.TIMEOUT: x.innerHTML = "The request to get user location timed out."
break;case error.UNKNOWN_ERROR: x.innerHTML = "An unknown error occurred."
break;
}
}</script>