Map pin

A teardrop shape with a circular hole, marking a location on a digital map.

Also known as: Location pin, Map marker, Teardrop with a hole, Upside-down balloon

Maps & navigationEveryday & digitalStandard profile

Meanings

The map pin marks a point on a digital map. It points at its location from the bottom tip, not from its centre — the drawing is a pin stuck in a board, and the tip is where the pin goes.

Common modern usageVerified fact
Marks a specific location on a digital map, indicating the point at its lower tip rather than at its centre.
Contexts: Software, Navigation, Maps
Common modern usageVerified fact
Draws on the physical metaphor of a pin pushed into a paper map, which is why the shape tapers to a point at the bottom.
Contexts: Software, Navigation, Maps
InformalCommon usage
Is defined by no standard and varies between map providers, though the teardrop form has become near-universal by imitation rather than by agreement.
Contexts: Software, Navigation, Maps

Visual description

A rounded head tapering to a point at the bottom, with a small circular hole cut through the centre of the head.

Symmetry: vertical
Orientation: upright

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references.
Historical originModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references.

Sources

Map pin
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-08-01
Tertiary reference. Used for what a symbol depicts and which authority publishes it, not for the legend of any particular chart series or the text of any standard.
Cartographic symbol
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-08-01
Tertiary reference. Used for what a symbol depicts and which authority publishes it, not for the legend of any particular chart series or the text of any standard.

Last reviewed 2026-08-01

Part of

Map, chart and weather symbols

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Meanings

The map pin marks a point on a digital map. It points at its location from the bottom tip, not from its centre — the drawing is a pin stuck in a board, and the tip is where the pin goes.

Common modern usageVerified fact

Marks a specific location on a digital map, indicating the point at its lower tip rather than at its centre.

Contexts: Software, Navigation, Maps

Common modern usageVerified fact

Draws on the physical metaphor of a pin pushed into a paper map, which is why the shape tapers to a point at the bottom.

Contexts: Software, Navigation, Maps

InformalCommon usage

Is defined by no standard and varies between map providers, though the teardrop form has become near-universal by imitation rather than by agreement.

Contexts: Software, Navigation, Maps

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references.
Historical originModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references.

Sources

Map pin
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-08-01
Tertiary reference. Used for what a symbol depicts and which authority publishes it, not for the legend of any particular chart series or the text of any standard.
Cartographic symbol
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-08-01
Tertiary reference. Used for what a symbol depicts and which authority publishes it, not for the legend of any particular chart series or the text of any standard.

Last reviewed 2026-08-01