Create & publish Photo Spheres to Google Maps

You can create Photo Spheres using a 360 camera, or a DSLR system and stitching software such as PTGui, or Autopano. Find a list of recommended 360 cameras here.

Popular equipment to use with a DSLR system

DSLR camera	Canon	Rebel series: XSi/450D, T1i/500D, T2i/550D, T3i/600D, T4i/650D, XS/1000D, T3/1100D xxD series: 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 60D, 70D xD series : 6D, 7D, 5D series
	Nikon	D5000, D5100 D90, D7000, D7100 D200, D300, D300s D600, D700, D800, D810
Fisheye lens		Canon 8-15mm f/4L fisheye lens (Canon mount only) Sigma 8mm f/3.5 EX DG fisheye lens
Panoramic head		Nodal Ninja Ultimate R10 with compact 90° rotator 360Precision Acratech Spherical Panoramic Head (Sigma lens only) Tom Shot 360 (Sigma lens only)
Remote switch		RS-60E3, RS-80N3, MC-30, MD-DC2

Create multiple Photo Spheres

• You can attach the camera to a monopod, tripod, or helmet to stabilize the camera at 1.20–1.80 m/4–6 ft.
  • Monopod: Keep the monopod steady above your head. Keep your head down when you take photos.
  • Tripod: Step out of the way before you take photos.
  • Helmet: Make sure to keep your head still when you take your photos.
• To make sure good connectivity, space the photos, when:
  • Indoors: About two small steps apart (1 m/3 ft)
  • Outdoors: About five steps apart (3 m/10 ft)
• Follow natural paths and walkways so that there’s a clear line of sight between the photos.
• Take photos from the street and continue until you're inside the place.
• When you take photos indoors, limit your collection to 100 photos.

Publish & connect Photo Spheres

You can upload Photo Spheres to Google Maps the same way you publish flat images with the Android Google Maps app or on your computer browser. Learn how to manage photos and videos in Google Maps.

To link your Photo Spheres into indoor or outdoor virtual tours, you can use 3rd party apps. Check the app maker’s website for instructions.

After you create links in the chosen tool and publish them to Google Maps, allow up to 4 days for them to be processed.

If you’re a developer, you can create your own tool with the Street View Publish API.

Tips:

• You can find a list of 3rd party publishing tools on the Google Street View website. However, this is not an exhaustive list and you can find multiple other apps with similar functionalities online.
• Before you publish any Photo Spheres, make sure that they meet these requirements:
  • 7.5 MP or larger (3,840 x 1,920 px)
  • 2:1 image aspect ratio
  • No more than 75 MB in size
  • No gaps around the horizon
  • No significant stitching errors
  • Sufficient detail in light or dark areas
  • Sharp and in focus with no motion blur
  • No distracting effects or filters in the image nadir