How Google Street View coverage works ​
Google Street View does not cover every street on Earth. Understanding where it is available helps you set realistic expectations when using WP Google Street View.
How Google captures Street View ​
Google uses several methods to capture panoramic imagery:
- Street View cars — Vehicles with roof-mounted camera arrays that drive public roads. This is the primary method and covers the most area.
- Trekkers — Backpack-mounted cameras for pedestrian areas, trails, and indoor spaces.
- Bikes and trikes — For narrow streets, parks, and bike paths.
- Boats — For canals, rivers, and coastlines.
- Snowmobiles — For ski resorts and snowy regions.
- Third-party contributors — Google allows certified contributors to upload their own 360° imagery via Street View Studio.
Global coverage ​
Street View is available in over 100 countries and territories. Coverage is densest in North America, Europe, Australia, Japan, and Brazil. It is expanding rapidly in Southeast Asia, India, and Africa.
Well-covered regions ​
- United States, Canada, Mexico
- Most of Western and Eastern Europe
- Japan, South Korea, Taiwan
- Australia, New Zealand
- Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile
- South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria (major cities)
- India (expanding rapidly)
Limited or no coverage ​
- China (no Google Street View; Baidu has a local equivalent)
- North Korea
- Most of Central Africa
- Parts of the Middle East (varies by country)
- Remote rural areas globally
City vs rural coverage ​
In major cities, coverage extends to virtually every public street plus many interior spaces. In rural areas, coverage is typically limited to main roads and highways.
Interior coverage ​
Interior photography is separate from street-level coverage. It requires a business to hire a Google Trusted Photographer or upload their own 360° imagery. Interior tours are available for individual businesses, not entire areas.
Checking coverage for a specific location ​
- Go to Google Maps
- Drag the Pegman icon (bottom right) onto the map
- Blue lines indicate street-level coverage
- Blue dots indicate interior tours
- If there is no blue where you need it, Street View is not available there
What to do when coverage is missing ​
If your location does not have Street View coverage:
- Use the Google Maps mode in WP Google Street View instead of Street View mode
- Wait — Google regularly expands coverage with new camera runs
- Contribute your own imagery via Google Street View Studio