How to turn on the Google Maps speedometer

Google Maps speedometer on Android

The speedometer has been part of Google Maps for Android since 2019. To turn it on:

1. Open Google Maps and tap your profile picture in the top-right corner.
2. Tap Settings, then Navigation settings.
3. Scroll to Driving options and turn on Speedometer.
4. If available in your area, also turn on Speed limits.
5. Search for a destination, tap Directions with the car icon selected, then Start.

Your current speed appears in a small box in the corner of the navigation screen, usually next to the speed limit sign.

Google Maps speedometer on iPhone and CarPlay

Google brought the speedometer and speed limits to Google Maps for iPhone and Apple CarPlay in July 2024. The steps are almost the same as on Android:

1. Open Google Maps (not Apple Maps) and tap your profile picture.
2. Tap Settings, then Navigation.
3. Under Driving options, turn on Speedometer and Speed limits.

Once it’s on, the speedometer also appears when you use Google Maps through CarPlay — there is no separate setting in the car. At the time of writing, Apple Maps shows speed limits in some regions but has no built-in speedometer, so Google Maps (or a browser speedometer) is the way to see your speed on an iPhone.

Google Maps speedometer on Android Auto

For years, Android Auto showed the speed limit but not your speed. Google began rolling out the speedometer for Google Maps on Android Auto in mid-2026, and in September 2026 confirmed it is extending it so speed and speed limits show even when no destination is set. The rollout is gradual, so your car screen may not have it yet.

1. Update Google Maps and Android Auto on your phone from the Play Store.
2. Turn on Speedometer in Google Maps on your phone (steps above). Android Auto uses the phone app’s settings.
3. Connect your phone to the car and open Google Maps on the car screen.
4. If you don’t see your speed, set a destination and start navigation — for some users it only appears during active navigation.

If the option is missing entirely, the feature probably hasn’t reached your account or region yet. Google enables new Maps features in stages, sometimes over several months.

Speed limits and over-speed warnings

Where Google has speed limit data, Maps shows the limit next to your speed. When you go over it, the speedometer changes color as a visual warning. Speed limit data isn’t available on every road or in every country, and it can be out of date after a limit changes — the signs on the road always take priority.

Want an audible warning? Our online speedometer has a speed alert that beeps and vibrates when you pass a limit you set yourself.

Google Maps speedometer not showing? Check these

• The setting is off. It’s off by default on many phones. Recheck Settings → Navigation → Driving options.
• You’re not in driving navigation. The speedometer doesn’t appear in walking, cycling or transit directions, or while just browsing the map.
• The app is out of date. Update Google Maps (and Android Auto) and restart the app.
• Not available yet. Features roll out by region and account. Speed limits in particular aren’t available everywhere.
• Weak GPS signal. In tunnels, garages and dense city centers the reading may freeze or disappear until the signal returns.
• Location settings. Make sure location is on and Google Maps has precise location access.

How accurate is the Google Maps speedometer?

Google Maps measures speed with your phone’s GPS. With a clear view of the sky, GPS speed is usually within about 1–2 km/h (1 mph) of your true speed. Google notes that the speedometer is for information only and can differ from your actual speed, for example when the signal is weak.

It’s normal for Maps to show a few mph less than your dashboard: car speedometers are built to over-read slightly. Use our car speed test to see how far off yours is.

See your speed without Google Maps

Google Maps only shows your speed during driving navigation. If you just want to know how fast you’re going — on a train, a bus, a bike or in a car without setting a route — use a dedicated speedometer:

• Waze shows your speed on the map and can warn you about speeding.
• Our browser speedometer works on any phone without installing anything: live speed in mph or km/h, max and average speed, distance, HUD mode and a speed alert.