HTML5 Geolocation is used to locate a user's position
The HTML5 Geolocation API is used to get the geographical position of a user.
Since this can compromise user privacy, the position is not available unless the user approves it.
Internet Explorer 9, Firefox, Chrome, Safari and Opera support Geolocation.
Note: Geolocation is much more accurate for devices with GPS, like iPhone.
Use the getCurrentPosition() method to get the user's position.
The example below is a simple Geolocation example returning the latitude and longitude of the user's position:
Example explained:
The example above is a very basic Geolocation script, with no error handling.
The second parameter of the getCurrentPosition() method is used to handle errors. It specifies a function to run if it fails to get the user's location:
Error Codes:
To display the result in a map, you need access to a map service that can use latitude and longitude, like Google Maps:
In the example above we use the returned latitude and longitude data to show the location in a Google map (using a static image).
Google Map Script
How to use a script to show an interactive map with a
marker, zoom and drag options.
This page demonstrated how to show a user's position on a map. However, Geolocation is also very useful for location-specific information.
Examples:
The getCurrentPosition() method returns an object if it is successful. The latitude, longitude and accuracy properties are always returned. The other properties below are returned if available.
Property | Description |
---|---|
coords.latitude | The latitude as a decimal number |
coords.longitude | The longitude as a decimal number |
coords.accuracy | The accuracy of position |
coords.altitude | The altitude in meters above the mean sea level |
coords.altitudeAccuracy | The altitude accuracy of position |
coords.heading | The heading as degrees clockwise from North |
coords.speed | The speed in meters per second |
timestamp | The date/time of the response |
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.
The example below shows the watchPosition() method. You need an accurate GPS device to test this (like iPhone):
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