GPS Coordinates Gifts: The Complete Guide
September 22, 2026
GPS coordinates have become our most requested engraving, and for a simple reason: they are short enough to fit, specific enough to mean something, and private enough that a stranger reading them learns nothing at all.
Why coordinates work as a gift
A name is not private. A date is guessable. Coordinates are neither — they are a number that means nothing until you know what it points to, and that is exactly what makes them feel personal rather than decorative.
How to find the coordinates you want
Open Google Maps and search for the location, or drop a pin on the exact spot. Right-click the pin (or press and hold on mobile) and the coordinates appear, ready to copy. Or use our free Coordinate Finder — search a place by name and get both formats instantly, with a one-click copy button.
Both formats work
Decimal degrees: 40.7128° N, 74.0060° W — the simpler, more common format.
Degrees, minutes, seconds: 40°42'46"N 74°00'21"W — more traditional, reads like an old ship's log.
Send them exactly as you want them engraved. We do not reformat or correct them, so double-check the numbers before ordering.
Twelve places worth engraving
Where you met. Where you got engaged. Where you married. The hospital where a child was born. A childhood home. A grandparent's house. A place you visit every year. The last place you saw someone. Where you were stationed. Where you first lived together. A summit you climbed. The house you are about to leave.
Fitting them on the compass
Both coordinate formats fit comfortably within the 40-character lid limit, with room for a short label if you want one — though most people prefer the coordinates alone, without explanation. That is often the point: it means everything to the two of you and nothing to anyone else.
Related reading
- Find the Exact Coordinates for Your Engraving — Free Tool
- What to Engrave on a Compass: 120 Ideas That Actually Fit
- Anniversary Gifts for Him: What to Give When You've Run Out of Ideas
Frequently asked questions
How do I find GPS coordinates for a place?
Open Google Maps, find the location, and right-click (or long-press on mobile) to see the coordinates — ready to copy.
Do coordinates fit on the compass lid?
Yes, both decimal degrees and degrees-minutes-seconds fit comfortably within the 40-character lid limit.
Find the exact coordinates for your engraving
Use our free Coordinate Finder tool to look up precise latitude and longitude for any place — in decimal and degrees/minutes/seconds — ready to copy and engrave.
Open the Coordinate Finder →Every compass is personalized and engraved to order.
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Engrave a compass for them
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