Latitude and Longitude Game

A free interactive way to practice latitude and longitude. In “Find it”, students get a pair of coordinates such as 30°N, 90°W and tap that spot on a world map. In “Read it”, a dot appears and they pick its coordinates from four choices.

The map has a clear grid, with the Equator and Prime Meridian highlighted and every line labeled. Easy uses lines every 30°, Medium every 15°, and Hard every 5°, so it grows from 3rd grade through middle school.

How to use it in class

Start with the key lines. Point out the Equator (pink, 0° latitude) and the Prime Meridian (blue, 0° longitude). North and south are measured from the Equator, east and west from the Prime Meridian.
Play “Read it” first. A dot appears and students choose its coordinates. Wrong choices include the classic mix-ups, like north instead of south.
Then “Find it”. Students tap the map where the coordinates point. The game shows where they tapped, the right spot, and the coordinates of their tap.
Raise the level. Move from Easy (every 30°) to Medium (15°) and Hard (5°) as students get confident.

Classroom ideas

Latitude first

Remind students to read latitude first, then longitude – “ladder” lines go across like the rungs of a ladder.

Mystery places

Give coordinates for real places (for example 30°N, 90°W is near New Orleans) and have students find them, then guess the place.

Partner quiz

One student reads the coordinates in “Read it”, the other checks the answer on a paper map.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between latitude and longitude?

Latitude measures how far north or south of the Equator a place is, from 0° to 90°. Longitude measures how far east or west of the Prime Meridian it is, from 0° to 180°.

Which comes first, latitude or longitude?

Latitude is written first, then longitude, as in 40°N, 74°W.

Where is the Prime Meridian?

It runs from the North Pole to the South Pole through Greenwich, in London, England.