Draw on a Map
Show HN: Map drawing tool where the map lives in the URL
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What is Draw on a Map?
Draw on a Map is a free online tool for drawing and annotating maps without requiring an account or sign-in. Users can draw routes, mark locations, add circles, and annotate any place on Earth in seconds directly in their browser. The tool is a free alternative to Google My Maps, focusing on simplicity with no clutter, no setup, and no personal data collection.
Key features include multiple drawing tools (freehand pen, line, arrow, circle, and eraser), customizable colors and brush sizes, undo/redo functionality via toolbar buttons or keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+Z/Ctrl+Y), one-click sharing via a link that captures the drawing plus map position and zoom level, embed functionality to place annotated maps on websites via iframe, full responsiveness on phones and tablets, and Progressive Web App (PWA) installation for home screen access. The map uses OpenStreetMap tiles rendered with OpenLayers/Leaflet, with location search provided by Geoapify or Nominatim.
This tool is ideal for anyone who needs a fast web mapping solution: people explaining directions, marking meeting points, sketching routes for trips, showing delivery or service zones, marking event perimeters, visualizing commute distances, teachers creating educational map annotations, real estate agents showing property areas, event planners marking venues, and bloggers embedding interactive annotated maps in their content.
Draw on a Map pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
Completely free - no paid plans or subscriptions. All features including unlimited drawings, custom colors, circle tool, embed functionality, and sharing are available at no cost with no account required.
Draw on a Map pros
- No account or sign-in required
- Completely free with no paid plans
- Draw directly in browser instantly
- Share annotated maps via single link
- Embed maps on websites with iframe
- Works on phones and tablets
- Install as Progressive Web App
- Undo and redo with Ctrl+Z/Ctrl+Y
- Multiple drawing tools (pen, line, arrow, circle, eraser)
- Customizable colors and brush sizes
- No tracking cookies or personal data collection
- Drawings not stored on servers
- OpenStreetMap tiles (free worldwide coverage)
- Location search with address autocomplete
- Captures drawing plus zoom level in share link
Draw on a Map cons
- No drawing storage without sharing link
- Limited to basic drawing tools only
- No text labels or annotations
- No measurement tools for distance/area
- No custom map styles or themes
- Circle tool uses diameter not exact radius
- No layer management or organization
- Anonymous analytics track button clicks
Frequently asked questions about Draw on a Map
Do I need to create an account to use Draw on a Map?
No account is required. You can open drawonamap.com, draw directly on the map, and share your creation instantly without any sign-up or login.
How do I share my annotated map with others?
Click the green Share button in the toolbar. A link is copied to your clipboard that captures your drawing, map position, and zoom level. Anyone who opens the link sees exactly what you drew.
Can I embed my map on a website?
Yes. Click the Embed button in the toolbar to generate an iframe code for your current map state. Paste this code into your website builder, CMS, or HTML to display the annotated map with controls and a watermark.
Is Draw on a Map free to use?
Yes, it is completely free with no paid plans. You can draw unlimited routes, circles, and annotations in any colors and share them via links at no cost.
What drawing tools are available?
The toolbar includes freehand pen, line, arrow, circle, and eraser tools. You can also use the hand tool to pan and zoom the map.
Can I draw multiple circles on the same map?
Yes. You can draw as many circles as you need in as many colors as you want. All drawings are captured in the shared link without requiring an account.
Does the tool track my personal data or use cookies?
No tracking cookies are used and no personal data is collected. Drawings live entirely in your browser and in the share link. The tool does not store drawings on servers. Anonymous analytics track only button clicks for product improvement.
How do I draw a circle with a specific radius?
Select the Circle tool and click-drag on the map. The two points define the diameter. For exact numerical radius values, the website mentions upgrading to Pro, though the base circle tool remains free.
Can I use Draw on a Map on my phone or tablet?
Yes, the tool is fully responsive and works on phones and tablets. You can also install it as a Progressive Web App for quick home screen access.
How do I undo a drawing mistake?
Use the Undo button in the toolbar or press Ctrl+Z on your keyboard. Redo is available via the Redo button or Ctrl+Y.