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2026-04-17 23:26:01 +00:00

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---
title: Use GeoPoint Fields for Location Data
impact: MEDIUM
impactDescription: Built-in geographic queries, distance calculations
tags: collections, geopoint, location, geographic, maps
---
## Use GeoPoint Fields for Location Data
PocketBase provides a dedicated GeoPoint field type for storing geographic coordinates with built-in distance query support via `geoDistance()`.
**Incorrect (storing coordinates as separate fields):**
```javascript
// Separate lat/lon fields - no built-in distance queries
const placesSchema = [
{ name: 'name', type: 'text' },
{ name: 'latitude', type: 'number' },
{ name: 'longitude', type: 'number' }
];
// Manual distance calculation - complex and slow
async function findNearby(lat, lon, maxKm) {
const places = await pb.collection('places').getFullList();
// Calculate distance for every record client-side
return places.filter(place => {
const dist = haversine(lat, lon, place.latitude, place.longitude);
return dist <= maxKm;
});
}
```
**Correct (using GeoPoint field):**
```javascript
// GeoPoint field stores coordinates as { lon, lat } object
const placesSchema = [
{ name: 'name', type: 'text' },
{ name: 'location', type: 'geopoint' }
];
// Creating a record with GeoPoint
await pb.collection('places').create({
name: 'Coffee Shop',
location: { lon: -73.9857, lat: 40.7484 } // Note: lon first!
});
// Or using "lon,lat" string format
await pb.collection('places').create({
name: 'Restaurant',
location: '-73.9857,40.7484' // String format also works
});
// Query nearby locations using geoDistance()
async function findNearby(lon, lat, maxKm) {
// geoDistance returns distance in kilometers
const places = await pb.collection('places').getList(1, 50, {
filter: pb.filter(
'geoDistance(location, {:point}) <= {:maxKm}',
{
point: { lon, lat },
maxKm: maxKm
}
),
sort: pb.filter('geoDistance(location, {:point})', { point: { lon, lat } })
});
return places;
}
// Find places within 5km of Times Square
const nearbyPlaces = await findNearby(-73.9857, 40.7580, 5);
// Use in API rules for location-based access
// listRule: geoDistance(location, @request.query.point) <= 10
```
**geoDistance() function:**
```javascript
// Syntax: geoDistance(geopointField, referencePoint)
// Returns: distance in kilometers
// In filter expressions
filter: 'geoDistance(location, "-73.9857,40.7484") <= 5'
// With parameter binding (recommended)
filter: pb.filter('geoDistance(location, {:center}) <= {:radius}', {
center: { lon: -73.9857, lat: 40.7484 },
radius: 5
})
// Sorting by distance
sort: 'geoDistance(location, "-73.9857,40.7484")' // Closest first
sort: '-geoDistance(location, "-73.9857,40.7484")' // Farthest first
```
**GeoPoint data format:**
```javascript
// Object format (recommended)
{ lon: -73.9857, lat: 40.7484 }
// String format
"-73.9857,40.7484" // "lon,lat" order
// Important: longitude comes FIRST (GeoJSON convention)
```
**Use cases:**
- Store-locator / find nearby
- Delivery radius validation
- Geofencing in API rules
- Location-based search results
**Limitations:**
- Spherical Earth calculation (accurate to ~0.3%)
- No polygon/area containment queries
- Single point per field (use multiple fields for routes)
Reference: [PocketBase GeoPoint](https://pocketbase.io/docs/collections/#geopoint)