Google Maps is a powerful navigation tool used by millions of people worldwide. It provides not only detailed maps but also a lot of symbols and icons to enhance the user experience. These symbols convey important information about locations, businesses, and various points of interest.
This guide discusses various symbols and icons in Google Maps to help you better understand your surroundings using Google Maps.
Below we have discussed
Various symbols on Google Maps
- Traffic and route related symbols
- Crash symbol
- Congestion symbol
- Roadworks symbol
- Lane closure symbol
- Stalled vehicle symbol
- Object on road symbol
- Road closure symbol
- Symbols that denote places
- Knife and Fork
- Cup and Saucer
- Camera Icon
- Shopping Bag
- Small Strip of Movie Film
- 100 Note
- P
- H
- House with a Plus Sign
- Bed
- Tree
- Leaves
- Train
- M
- Envelope
- Open Book
- Police Officer.
- Graduation Cap
- Bridge Symbol
- Gender Symbols (Male and Female)
- Home symbol
- Heart
- Starred
Also read: How often does Google Maps update?
Various Google Maps icons
Below, we have explained various Google Maps icons.
Icons on the main page
There are a few icons that you will see when you open the Google Maps and they are explained below.
Microphone icon
You can use the microphone to search the location by using the voice.
Layers icon
This symbol allows you to change how the map looks, like switching to satellite or terrain view. You can also use it to turn on or off extra details on the map, like public transit, traffic, bike paths, 3D maps, street view, information about wildfires, and air quality.
My location icon
The My Location icon will show you your current location. To use it, you have to enable your location. When you tap on it, a blue dot shows your current location.
Directions icon
As the name suggests, the Directions icon will take you to find the directions from one point to another. It automatically chooses your current location as the starting point, but you can easily change that if needed.
Icons while following directions
There are a few icons that you will see when following the directions on Google Maps and they are explained below.
Search along the route icon
This icon will let you find places along your route, such as petrol pumps, restaurants, grocery shops, hotels, and more.
Speaker icon
This icon will let you mute and unmute voice navigation, and you can also switch it to alerts-only mode.
Compass icon
The red part shows where the North is, and the grey part points to the South. If you tap on it, you can see how you’re going.
Report or Chat bubble icon
You can use this icon to report different issues on route to help others. You can report issues like crashes, congestions, roadworks, lane closures, stalled vehicles and objects on the road.
Forked path icon
You can see this icon to see the whole route to your destination, it will simply zoom out.
Apps icon
You can use this icon to select the apps you want to use while using the Maps as well.
Also read: What does a blocked caller hear on Android?
Various symbols on Google Maps
There are various symbols that you will see on Google Maps, and they are explained below.
Traffic and Route related symbols
- Crash symbol: This sign indicates a car crash or possible accident on the road.
- Congestion symbol: It indicates the congestion on the route.
- Roadworks symbol: It indicates the ongoing construction on the road.
- Lane closure symbol: It indicates that the particular lane is closed.
- Stalled vehicle symbol: It indicates a stalled vehicle blocking the road.
- Object on road symbol: This symbol indicates an object on the road, a big object or hole you must be careful of.
Road closure symbol
It indicates that the road is closed, and if you tap on it, you will find a few details like when it will open.
Symbols that denote places
Many symbols denote different places on the map; we have explained only the important symbols below. You can check out the images below to learn about your desired symbols.
- Knife and Fork: Indicate restaurants and places to eat.
- Cup and Saucer: Represents cafes and coffee shops.
- Camera Icon: Represents a tourist attraction.
- Shopping Bag: Denotes shopping destinations and stores.
- Small Strip of Movie Film: Denotes a movie theatre.
- 100 Note: Indicates a bank.
- P: Parking Lot.
- H: Represents Hospitals.
- House with a Plus Sign: Signifies a pharmacy.
- Bed: Marks hotels and accommodations.
- Tree: Indicates a park location.
- Leaves: Signify a garden spot.
- Train: Stands for Trains.
- M: Indicates Metro Stations.
- Envelope: Represents a post office.
- Open Book: Denotes Libraries.
- Police Officer: Police Station.
- Graduation Cap: Symbolises Schools.
- Bridge Symbol: Indicates a Bridge.
- Gender Symbols (Male and Female): Public Restrooms.
- Home symbol: It denotes a place you marked as home.
- Heart: This signifies a place or spot you marked as your favourite.
- Starred: It signifies a place you marked as starred or important.
Also read: How to check traffic to work on Google Maps?
