Google Maps is our go-to service for finding places or the best routes to a destination. You may encounter a number of icons such as compass, microphone, red-colored roads, etc. while using Google Maps. If you have been wondering what a certain icon or symbol means in Google Maps, allow us to help. Let’s check the meaning of various icons and symbols in Google Maps.
Table of Contents
Icons on the Map
Dot Surrounded by a Small Circle
The dot surrounded by a small circle and marked with four compass points takes you to your current location in Google Maps.
Right Arrow Inside a Box
Tap on this icon to find a route between two locations. Your current location will be set as the start location automatically. You can easily change it.
Microphone Icon
Use the microphone icon to type and search using your voice.
Box Above a Down Arrow
This icon lets you switch between various map types such as satellite, terrain, and default mode. It also allows you to enable or disable extra information on the map such as public transit, traffic, bicycling paths, 3D map, street view, wildfires, and air quality.
Yellow Star in a Map Pin
This icon represents your saved or starred location on the map. Learn how to make a map with multiple pins on Google Maps.
Blue Dots
When Street View is enabled, you will see a blue path with dots on the map. Tap on the blue icons to check Street View, which shows real roads and locations with the help of the images taken by users.
Pro Tip: Learn how to add photos and videos to Google Maps.
Icons On Journey Screen
Two Arrows Pointing in Opposite Direction
You will find this icon on the route screen where you can set start and destination locations. This icon lets you swap the beginning and destination location.
Clock Icon Next to Places
It means you have previously searched for the place.
Red Pin Icon
This icon represents your end destination on the map.
Path Shown by Small Circles
The walking path is represented by tiny circles. In other words, you can walk along this route to get to your destination.
Colored Microphone Icon
Use this icon to activate Google Assistant right from the Maps screen. You can ask Google Assistant to call someone, play a song, and do other cool things.
Search Icon
Tap on the search icon to find places along your route, such as grocery shops, hotels, coffee shops, gas stations, etc.
Speaker
Use this icon to mute or unmute voice navigation. You can even turn on alerts only.
Compass Icon
In the Compass icon, the red symbol points north, and the gray symbol points toward the south. Tap on the icon to find your direction of travel.
Tip: Learn how to fix the Google Maps upside down issue.
Chat Bubble with Plus Icon
Use this icon to report a crash, slow down, construction, lane closure, stalled vehicle, or object on road.
Forked Path Icon
Use this icon to quickly see the entire route to your destination.
Tip: Find out how to fix Google Maps keeps rerouting.
Roads and Traffic Symbols
Yellow Road
Yellow roads represent highways or interstate roads.
Types of Traffic Symbols
Google Maps shows real-time traffic strength in different colors. Roads that are green indicate that traffic is moving normally and that there are no jams. While red roads signify a traffic jam, yellow or orange roads represent light congestion.
Man With a Shovel
This symbol denotes that there is road construction going on.
Dash Icon in a Red Circle
This symbol denotes a closed road or a no-entry zone.
Yellow Exclamation Mark
This icon represents a possible road closure.
Red Car with Half Star Icon
This icon indicates a possible accident or car crash on the road.
Google Maps Icons That Represent Places
Here’s a list of important icons that show up quite often on Google Maps:
- Knife and Fork: Food places like restaurants
- Cup and Saucer: Cafes
- Bed: Hotel
- Shopping Bag: Shopping place
- Camera Icon: Tourist place
- Tree: Park
- Leaves: Garden
- H: Hospital
- Train: Train
- M: Metro
- Graduation Cap: School
- Open book: Library
- Envelope: Post office
- 100 Note: Bank
- House with a plus sign: Doctor
- Small Strip of movie film: Movie theater
- P: Parking
- Policeman: Police station
- One male and one Female icon: Public washrooms
- Bridge: Bridge
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What do various colors mean on Google Maps?
Orange is for food & drink, blue for shopping, reddish-pink for health, teal for entertainment and leisure activities, purple for services, grey for civil services and worship, green for outdoor activities, and blue for transport.
2. How to share live location on Google Maps?
Go to the route screen and enter your destination. Tap on the three-dot icon next to the start and end location text fields. Select Share your location from the menu. Set time and choose contacts with whom you want to share your live location.
3. What is Incognito mode in Google Maps and how to enable or disable it?
To enable or disable Incognito mode, tap on the profile picture icon at the top-right corner and hit the Turn on incognito mode button. For the unaware, when Incognito mode is turned on, Google Maps will not save your browsing or search history, update location history or shared location. You won’t receive Google Maps notifications either.
Meaning of Symbols for Other Apps
If you find this Google Maps icons and symbols meaning list helpful, we have covered other apps as well. Check out the meaning of symbols and icons on Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, Gmail, and Discord.
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Mehvish
Mehvish Mushtaq is a tech lover from Kashmir. With a degree in computer engineering, she's always been happy to help anyone who finds technology challenging. She's been writing about technology for over six years, and her favorite topics include how-to guides, explainers, tips and tricks for Android, iOS/iPadOS, Windows, social media, and web apps. You can also find her work on Make Tech Easier, Guiding Tech, and Nerds Chalk
