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The HTML Geolocation API is used to get the geographical position of a user. Since this can compromise privacy, the position is not available unless the user approves it.
Geolocation is most accurate for devices with GPS, like smartphones.
The Geolocation API is supported in all browsers:
The Geolocation API will only work on secure contexts such as HTTPS. If your site is hosted on a non-secure origin (such as HTTP) the requests to get the users location will no longer function.
method is used to return the user's position.
The example below returns the latitude and longitude of the user's position:<script>
const x = document.getElementById("demo");
function getLocation() {
if (navigator.geolocation) {
navigator.geolocation.getCurrentPosition(showPosition);
} else {
x.innerHTML = "Geolocation is not supported by this browser.";
}
}
function showPosition(position) {
x.innerHTML = "Latitude: " + position.coords.latitude +
"<br>Longitude: " + position.coords.longitude;
}</script>
If supported, run the getCurrentPosition() method. If not, display a message to the user If the getCurrentPosition() method is successful, it returns a coordinates object to the function specified in the parameter (showPosition) The showPosition() function outputs the Latitude and Longitude The example above is a very basic Geolocation script, with no error handling.
method is used to handle errors. It specifies a function to run if it fails to get the user's location:
Example function showError(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;
}
}To display the result in a map, you need access to a map service, like Google Maps. In the example below, the returned latitude and longitude is used to show the location in a Google
Example function showPosition(position) {
let latlon = position.coords.latitude + "," + position.coords.longitude;
let img_url = "https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/staticmap?center=
"+latlon+"&zoom=14&size=400x300&sensor=false&key=YOUR_KEY";
document.getElementById("mapholder").innerHTML = "<img src='"+img_url+"'>";
}This page has demonstrated how to show a user's position on a map.
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 position of the user and continues to return updated position 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 smartphone):
<script>
const x = document.getElementById("demo");
function getLocation() {
if (navigator.geolocation) {
navigator.geolocation.watchPosition(showPosition);
} else {
x.innerHTML = "Geolocation is not supported by this browser.";
}
}
function showPosition(position) {
x.innerHTML = "Latitude: " + position.coords.latitude +
"<br>Longitude: " + position.coords.longitude;
}</script>