Privacy Policy
Last updated: August 2026
The Short Version
MapTools.co is designed with privacy in mind. We don't log or store your searches on our own servers, and most map calculations happen directly in your browser. Some tools send a ZIP code, place name, or map coordinates to an outside service, or fetch data from our own servers, to answer a search: see Third-Party Services below for which tool uses which service. Google Analytics also records the page URL you visit, which can include what you searched: see Analytics below.
One exception: the Route Optimizer's street-address matching. Addresses it can match against our local address data are resolved entirely in your browser, same as everything else. If it can't find a local match, that one address is sent to our server, which asks a mapping service (the US Census Bureau, and Geocodio as a backup) for its coordinates. We don't log or store that address anywhere - it's used only to answer that single lookup.
What We Collect
Analytics (Google Analytics)
We use Google Analytics to understand how people use MapTools.co. This collects:
- The page URL you visit, including any search parameters in it (for example, a searched postal code or ZIP code shown in the address bar)
- Time spent on each page
- General location (country/region level)
- Device type and browser
- Referral source
This data is aggregated and cannot identify you personally. You can opt out using browser extensions like Google Analytics Opt-out or by enabling "Do Not Track".
Cookies
We use minimal cookies for analytics and remembering your preferences (like dark mode). See our Cookie Policy for details.
What We Don't Collect
- Your specific addresses or locations you search
- Files you upload (CSV, etc.) - these stay in your browser
- Shapes you draw or measurements you take
- Personal information like name or email (we don't have accounts)
Exception: see the Route Optimizer note above about addresses that need a fallback lookup. That address reaches our server for the single lookup but is never logged or stored.
Third-Party Services
MapTools.co uses these external services:
- OpenStreetMap - Map tiles and data (their privacy policy)
- Nominatim - Address, place name, and reverse-geocode search on Sunrise & Sunset, Dark Sky Finder, and Elevation Finder (OSM Foundation privacy policy)
- Zippopotam.us - ZIP code lookup on Sunrise & Sunset, Dark Sky Finder, Elevation Finder, and School Finder (zippopotam.us)
- Open-Meteo - Elevation lookup on Elevation Finder (Open-Meteo terms)
- US Census Bureau Geocoder - Route Optimizer fallback address lookup, used only when an address can't be matched against our local data (Census Bureau privacy policy)
- Geocodio - Route Optimizer backup fallback address lookup, used only if the Census lookup fails (Geocodio privacy policy)
- Google Analytics - Usage statistics (Google's privacy policy)
- Google AdSense - Advertising (Google's privacy policy)
Data Retention
Since we don't collect personal data, there's nothing to retain. Analytics data is held by Google according to their retention policies.
Your Rights
Under CCPA (California) and similar laws, you have the right to know what data is collected about you. For MapTools.co, that's just anonymous analytics. For data held by Google, use Google's account tools.
Contact
Questions about privacy? Contact us.