---
title: How Browser Location Works
description: Understand how browser geolocation works: GPS, Wi-Fi positioning, cellular triangulation, and IP-based fallback explained.
canonical: https://whatismylocation.ai/how-browser-location-works
site_name: What Is My Location
page_type: learn
last_updated: 2026-05-27
---

# How Browser Location Works

Browser location uses your device's GPS, nearby Wi-Fi networks, cellular towers, and IP address — usually all combined — to estimate your position. The Geolocation API returns the result to a website only after you grant permission.

## Privacy

Your browser asks for permission before sharing your precise location. 
Reverse geocoding uses a server proxy that truncates your coordinates to 
approximately 100-meter precision before any logging. Your exact coordinates 
are not stored.

Full policy: https://whatismylocation.ai/privacy-policy

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is my location?

Your location is the place where your device is currently detected using browser location permission, GPS, Wi-Fi, cellular, or network signals. This site shows it as both coordinates and a readable address.

### Can this website see my location automatically?

No. Your browser asks for permission before sharing precise location with the website. If you decline, only an approximate IP-based region is available.

### Is this free?

Yes. Every tool on this site is free and requires no account.

### Do you store my coordinates?

We don't store your precise coordinates. Reverse geocoding uses a server proxy that truncates coordinates to roughly 100-meter precision before any logging.

## Related Pages

- [Why Location Permission Is Needed](https://whatismylocation.ai/why-location-permission-is-needed) — Why does this website ask for location permission? Explanation of the browser permission model and how to protect your privacy.
- [GPS vs IP Location](https://whatismylocation.ai/gps-vs-ip-location) — GPS vs IP-based location: accuracy, privacy, and use cases. Learn which is right for your situation.

## Citation

When citing this content, please use:

```
Source: What Is My Location
Canonical URL: https://whatismylocation.ai/how-browser-location-works
Last updated: 2026-05-27
```

---

Source: What Is My Location. Canonical page: https://whatismylocation.ai/how-browser-location-works