What is Google Earth?
Google Earth is Google's 3D model of the planet, and the web version runs right in your browser. You can spin the globe, search for any place and zoom from space down to rooftops, with satellite imagery, photorealistic 3D views of many cities and Street View panoramas at ground level.
Google Earth also has historical imagery, so you can look back and see how a place has changed over the years. You can draw placemarks, lines and shapes into projects that are saved to Google Drive and open on the web or in the mobile app. The standard Google Earth is free, and Google sells Professional and Professional Advanced plans for people who need extra data layers and analysis tools for work.
Main Features
- A 3D globe you can spin, tilt and zoom in the browser
- Satellite imagery of the whole planet
- Photorealistic 3D views of many cities
- Street View panoramas at ground level
- Historical imagery to see how places changed
- Search for any place, address or landmark
- Projects with placemarks, lines and shapes saved to Google Drive
- Mobile apps that open the same projects
How to Get Started with Google Earth
- Open earth.google.com/web in a modern browser such as Chrome.
- Drag to spin the globe and scroll to zoom in.
- Type a place in the search box to fly straight there.
- Switch on 3D or drop into Street View to look around at ground level.
- Sign in with a Google account if you want to save places in a project.
Google Earth Pricing
Google Earth in the browser and the mobile apps is free to use. Google also sells Professional and Professional Advanced plans, billed per user each month, which add professional data layers, imagery search and analysis tools for work.
Who Should Use It?
- Travellers who want to look around a place before they go
- Students learning geography
- Teachers showing places in class
- Curious people who like exploring the world from home
- Anyone who wants to see their home town from above
Google Earth Alternatives
- Earth Nullschool shows live wind and weather on a spinning globe.
- Wonders of Street View collects surprising Street View spots from around the world.
- Random Street View drops you at a random Street View location somewhere on Earth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google Earth free?
Yes. Google Earth in the browser and the mobile apps is free. The paid Professional plans are meant for work use and add extra data and analysis tools.
Do I need to install Google Earth?
No. The web version runs in your browser at earth.google.com/web. Mobile apps are also available.
Can I see old satellite images in Google Earth?
Yes. Google Earth has historical imagery, so you can look back at how many places have changed.
Can I save places in Google Earth?
Yes. You can make projects with placemarks, lines and shapes. They are saved to your Google Drive.
Does Google Earth have Street View?
Yes. You can drop into Street View to look around at ground level wherever Google has panoramas.