Quick Maps – Google Maps Without API Key
Add responsive Google Maps to WordPress with a simple shortcode. No API key, billing account, or Google Cloud setup required.
Solid choice
Quick Maps is a solid plugin choice in 2026, with a few things worth checking first. It runs on 60+ sites, is rated 5/5 and was last updated 4 weeks ago, and scores 75/100 on our health check.
- Actively developed — last update 4 weeks ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Small user base (60+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
How does it stack up?
Side-by-side on installs, updates, ratings & support
Daily downloads
Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.
Rankings
Where Quick Maps stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| directions | #74 |
| geolocation | >100 |
| Google Maps | #42 |
| map shortcode | #52 |
| responsive maps | #17 |
Version adoption
Share of active sites per release.
Rating breakdown
★★★★★★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
About Quick Maps – Google Maps Without API Key
From the official readme · v26.09.03.15Description
Quick Maps adds responsive Google Maps to WordPress with the [quick-maps] shortcode. Basic maps use a standard Google Maps embed, so they do not require a Google Maps API key, a Google Cloud project, or a billing account.
Enter an address, business, landmark, or coordinates inside the shortcode. Optional attributes control width, height, zoom, map type, language, and driving directions. The embed uses native lazy loading, so an off-screen map is deferred until the browser approaches it.
[quick-maps]Orlando, Florida[/quick-maps]
[quick-maps type="satellite" zoom="16"]Grand Canyon[/quick-maps]
[quick-maps from="Orlando, FL" to="Miami, FL"][/quick-maps]
Google Maps Shortcode for WordPress
Each feature below links to a full how-to guide in the Quick Maps documentation.
- No API key for basic maps – use the standard Google Maps embed without creating a Google Cloud project or enabling billing. Full guide.
- Add a map with one shortcode – place an address, business name, landmark, or coordinates inside
[quick-maps]. Full guide. - Responsive map output – maps fill their container width by default, with configurable
widthandheight. Full guide. - Roadmap, satellite, hybrid, or terrain – choose the map style with the
typeattribute. Full guide. - Control zoom (0-21) with the
zoomattribute. Full guide. - Show the map in any language with the
langattribute. Full guide. - Show driving directions between two places with the
fromandtoattributes. Full guide. - Native lazy loading – off-screen map embeds are deferred using the browser’s native loading behavior. Why it matters.
- Use where shortcodes run – add maps to posts, pages, widgets, and compatible page builders.
Pro Features
Quick Maps Pro (available at quickmaps.io) adds:
- Color Schemes: dark, muted, grayscale, and sepia presets.
- Custom Markers: your own pins, brand colors, and marker images.
- Advanced Lazy Loading: click-to-load and scroll-to-load facades.
- Custom JS and Custom CSS: extend and fine-tune your maps.
External Service: Google Maps
Quick Maps embeds maps served by Google Maps. The plugin does not require a Google Maps API key for its basic embed, but the displayed map is still provided by Google.
When data is sent: when a page containing a Quick Maps embed loads. Native lazy loading may defer the request until the map approaches the visible area.
What is sent: the configured address, place, coordinates, route, and map settings, plus the visitor request information Google needs to serve the embed. According to Google’s documentation this may include IP address, browser or device information, referrer URL, and interaction data.
Use of the embed is subject to the Google Maps Additional Terms and the Google Privacy Policy. Site owners are responsible for their own privacy disclosure and consent configuration.
Quick Maps Privacy
Installation
- In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins → Add New and search for “Quick Maps”, or upload the plugin ZIP under Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin.
- Click Install Now, then Activate.
- Edit any post, page, or widget and add the shortcode with the address or place you want to show:
[quick-maps]Orlando, Florida[/quick-maps] - Publish or update. Your map is live, with no API key or configuration needed for the basic embed.
Requirements: WordPress 6.2 or higher and PHP 7.4 or higher.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add Google Maps to WordPress without an API key?
Install Quick Maps and place an address or location inside the [quick-maps] shortcode. Basic maps use a standard Google Maps embed and do not require a Google Maps API key, Google Cloud project, or billing account.
How do I add a Google Map shortcode in WordPress?
Add [quick-maps]Your address or place[/quick-maps] to a post, page, widget, or compatible page-builder shortcode element. See the step-by-step guide.
How do I change the size of the map?
Use the width and height attributes. Width defaults to 100% (responsive): [quick-maps height=”500px” width=”75%”]Magic Kingdom, Florida[/quick-maps]
Can I show a satellite or terrain map?
Yes. Add the type attribute with satellite, hybrid, or terrain. The default is the standard road map. See the map type guide: [quick-maps type=”hybrid”]Golden Gate Bridge[/quick-maps]
Can I set the zoom level?
Yes. Use the zoom attribute with a value from 0 (the whole world) to 21 (street level): [quick-maps zoom=”17″]Willis Tower, Chicago[/quick-maps]
Can I show the map in another language?
Yes. Add the lang attribute with a language code, e.g. lang="es" for Spanish. See the map language guide: [quick-maps lang=”fr”]Paris[/quick-maps]
Can the shortcode show Google Maps directions?
Yes. Use the from and to attributes to display a route between two locations. See the directions guide: [quick-maps from=”Orlando, FL” to=”Miami, FL”][/quick-maps]
Can I disable the product heartbeat?
Yes. Go to Settings → Quick Maps, clear Send privacy-safe aggregate product signals, and save. Your choice remains saved through plugin updates and reactivation.
Can I use it inside a widget or page builder?
Yes. Quick Maps works anywhere WordPress shortcodes run, including text/HTML widgets and most popular page builders. The documentation has builder examples.
Where can I get help?
Start with the Quick Maps documentation, or contact us directly and the developers will answer you.
Is Quick Maps free?
Yes, the plugin is free. The Pro version at quickmaps.io adds color schemes, custom markers, custom JS/CSS, and advanced lazy-loading controls.
Changelog
For the full changelog with details, see Release History.
26.09.03.15
Version 26.09.03.15 release notes
26.09.01.14
Version 26.09.01.14 release notes
26.08.25.01
Version 26.08.25.01 release notes
26.08.07.23
Version 26.08.07.23 release notes
026.07.06.15
Version 026.07.06.15 release notes
026.06.26.21
For developers
Is this your plugin? Show off the numbers.
Add a live badge to your site, docs or GitHub README. It updates on its own — no account needed.
Best Quick Maps alternatives
All directions plugins →
FAQ
Quick Maps: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 1, 2026
Is Quick Maps free?
Yes. Quick Maps is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is Quick Maps safe to use in 2026?
Quick Maps is a solid plugin choice in 2026, with a few things worth checking first. It runs on 60+ sites, is rated 5/5 and was last updated 4 weeks ago, and scores 75/100 on our health check.
How many websites use Quick Maps?
Quick Maps is active on 60+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 4,736 times since it launched in November 2019. It was downloaded 264 times in the last 30 days.
Does Quick Maps work with WordPress 7.1?
Yes. The developer has tested Quick Maps up to WordPress 7.1.2, the latest release. It requires WordPress 6.2 or newer.
What PHP version does Quick Maps need?
Quick Maps requires PHP 7.4 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.
When was Quick Maps last updated?
The latest version, 26.09.03.15, was released on September 3, 2026 (4 weeks ago).
Who makes Quick Maps?
Quick Maps is developed and maintained by Renzo Johnson.
What are the best alternatives to Quick Maps?
The most popular alternatives to Quick Maps are Mobile Call Now & Map Butto… (4K+ installs), Add Post Type Instructions (100+ installs) and WP Get Directions (100+ installs).
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