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How to See Your Speed on Google Maps, Waze and Apple Maps

Quick Answer: Google Maps (Android and iPhone) and Waze can both show your current speed while you navigate: turn on Speedometer in the app’s navigation settings. Apple Maps shows the speed limit but not your current speed. If you don’t want to start navigation, open our online speedometer instead — it shows your speed in any browser.
Show your speed on Google Maps and Waze

How to Show Your Speed on Google Maps

Direct Answer: In the Google Maps app, tap your profile picture → Settings → Navigation (Navigation settings), then under Driving options switch on Speedometer. Your speed appears in a corner of the screen once you start driving directions.
  1. 1. Open settings

    Tap your profile picture or initial in the top-right corner, then Settings.

  2. 2. Go to navigation settings

    Tap Navigation (on Android it may say Navigation settings).

  3. 3. Turn on Speedometer

    Under Driving options, switch on Speedometer. In many areas you can also turn on Speed limits.

  4. 4. Start driving directions

    The speedometer only appears during navigation in driving mode, not while you are just looking at the map.

The speedometer reached iPhone and CarPlay later than Android, so make sure the app is up to date. Menu names can differ slightly by version and region. Google describes the speedometer as informational only, so treat your car’s dashboard as the reference.

Which apps show your current speed? — Navigation apps compared
Navigation apps compared

How to Show Your Speed on Waze

Direct Answer: In Waze, open the menu → Settings → Speedometer and turn on the option to show the speedometer on the map. You can also choose when the speed limit appears and set an alert when you go over it.

When you exceed the limit you set, the Waze speedometer turns red and can play a sound. If you use Waze through Android Auto or CarPlay, change these settings on the phone first; they carry over to the car screen.

Can Apple Maps Show Your Speed?

Direct Answer: No — Apple Maps shows the speed limit of the road during navigation (where data is available), but it does not display your current speed. To see your speed on an iPhone, use Google Maps, Waze or a browser speedometer.

The speed limit sign can be switched on or off in the iPhone’s Settings under Maps → Driving.

See Your Speed Without Starting Navigation

Direct Answer: Map apps only show speed during turn-by-turn directions. To see your speed at any time — as a passenger, on a bike, on a train or walking — open a GPS speedometer in your browser and tap Start.

A browser speedometer also shows top speed, average speed and trip distance, which map apps do not.

Why the App Shows a Different Speed Than Your Car

Map apps, Waze and our tool all use GPS, which measures your true speed. Car speedometers are usually set to read a little high, so a difference of 1–3 mph (2–5 km/h) at highway speed is normal. Updates can also lag by a second or two when you accelerate or brake. Learn more in our speedometer accuracy test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t I see the speedometer in Google Maps?

Check that Speedometer is turned on in Settings → Navigation, that the app is updated, and that you are using driving directions. It does not appear while browsing the map or in walking or cycling mode.

Is the Google Maps speedometer accurate?

It uses GPS, which is usually within a few km/h of your true speed in open sky. Google says it is for information only; your vehicle’s speedometer remains the legal reference.

Can Google Maps warn me when I’m speeding?

Where speed-limit data is available, the speedometer changes color when you exceed the limit. Waze offers a configurable speeding alert with sound.

How do I see my speed on an iPhone without an app?

Open our online speedometer in Safari, tap Start and allow location access. Nothing needs to be installed.