Q&A for How to Read Latitude and Longitude on a Map

The equator is zero because latitude measures how far a point is north or south of the equator.

Use a map with latitude and longitude lines and pinpoint the location you're trying to find coordinates for. Find the latitude and longitude markers, and use a ruler and a pencil to draw a line from your point to the nearest east or west edge of the map. Then, draw a vertical line from your point to the nearest north or south edge of the map. Then, take the numbers you got for the latitude and longitude of your point and put them together. For example, you could end up with 32°20′5″N, 120°14′12″E as your coordinates.

If you've got a smartphone, you can go to Google Maps and find your exact coordinates. If you're using a map with longitude and latitude lines, stick a pin where you're located. Then, draw a straight horizontal line from your point to the east or west edge of the map. Then, draw a vertical line from your location to the north or south edge of the map. Put together the 2 coordinates to find your position.

Latitude lines run horizontally across the Earth and are parallel to the equator. They can also be called parallels of latitude. Longitude lines run from north to south and are perpendicular to the equator. An easy way to remember which is which is to think of longitude as "long" like hair that hangs down. Longitude lines hang down over the Earth from north to south and latitude run across it, parallel to the equator.