Google Maps Rolls Out Live Air Quality Updates: What You Need to Know

Google has introduced a real-time air quality index (AQI) feature to its Maps app, enabling users to monitor the air quality of specific locations instantly. This update, aimed at enhancing health awareness, also provides tips based on air quality levels to help users take necessary precautions.

Currently available to over 2 billion users globally, the feature allows individuals to view updated AQI levels every hour for locations in India and over 100 other countries. By tapping on the air quality layer in Google Maps , users can now easily access this information for any location they wish to check.

AQI levels are represented through a straightforward system, categorized based on the concentration of air pollutants:

Good (0-50)
Satisfactory (51-100)
Moderate (101-200)
Poor (201-300)
Very Poor (301-400)
Severe (401-500)

The air quality is displayed using colors, from green (good) to red (severe), allowing for a quick, at-a-glance understanding. For high AQI levels, such as "poor" or worse, Google Maps includes health advisories. For instance, if the AQI reaches “severe,” users are advised to limit outdoor activities, with vulnerable individuals urged to stay indoors.

To access this feature, open Google Maps, tap the layers icon, and select the air quality option. Whether checking the air quality at home or a planned destination, users can now make more informed choices about outdoor activities, traveling, or purchasing an air purifier.