How to Add a Map to WordPress Without an API Key

Yes, you can add an interactive map to WordPress without setting up a Google Maps API key.

One simple way is to use an OpenStreetMap-based WordPress map plugin. With Easy Map, you can select OpenStreetMap as the tile layer, create a map, add one or multiple locations, customize markers and popups, and display the finished map on a WordPress page with a shortcode.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to add a WordPress map without an API key, including how to create a multiple-location map.

Can You Add a Map to WordPress Without an API Key?

Yes. You don’t need to use Google Maps to add an interactive map to your WordPress website.

Instead, you can use a WordPress map plugin that supports OpenStreetMap. This lets you create and display maps without setting up a Google Maps API key for the map layer.

For example, Easy Map lets you select OpenStreetMap from its map settings and then create maps directly from the WordPress dashboard.

This approach works well for:

• Business location pages
• Office locations
• Store maps
• Branch locations
• Contact pages
• Service-area maps
• Multiple-location maps

If you want a straightforward way to create maps inside WordPress, you can also check out Easy Map.

Google Maps vs. OpenStreetMap

Feature	Google Maps	OpenStreetMap with Easy Map
Google Maps API key	May be required	Not required for the OpenStreetMap setup
WordPress integration	Available through plugins	Available through Easy Map
Interactive map	Yes	Yes
Multiple locations	Yes	Yes
Custom markers	Plugin-dependent	Available
Custom popup content	Plugin-dependent	Available

If your main goal is to add a map without dealing with a Google Maps API key, an OpenStreetMap setup is worth considering.

How to Add a Map to WordPress Without an API Key

The process is simple:

Install Easy Map → Select OpenStreetMap → Create a map → Copy the shortcode → Add it to your page

Let’s go through each step.

Step 1: Install and Activate Easy Map

First, install the Easy Map plugin on your WordPress website.

From your WordPress dashboard:

1. Go to Plugins → Add Plugin.
2. Search for Easy Map.
3. Find the Easy Map plugin in the search results.
4. Click Install Now.
5. Once the installation finishes, click Activate.

After activation, you’ll see Easy Map in the WordPress admin sidebar.

Tip: You don’t need to install a separate Google Maps plugin for this setup. The map will use OpenStreetMap instead.

Step 2: Select OpenStreetMap as the Map Layer

Now tell Easy Map which map layer you want to use.

Go to:

Easy Map → Settings

Scroll down until you find Default Tile Layer.

Open the dropdown and select:

OpenStreetMap

Then click Update.

That’s it. You have selected OpenStreetMap as the default map layer.

This is the important setting when your goal is to create a WordPress map without a Google Maps API key.

Why this setting matters

Easy Map supports different map services, but for this tutorial, we’re using OpenStreetMap.

Once OpenStreetMap is selected as the default tile layer, the maps you create can use the OpenStreetMap map layer rather than a Google Maps API setup.

How to Create a Map in WordPress Without an API Key

Now you can create your first map.

Step 3: Create a New Map

From your WordPress dashboard, go to:

Easy Map → Manage Map

Then click Add New Map.

You’ll see the Add Easy Map screen.

Enter the following information:

• Map Title
• Latitude
• Longitude
• Zoom

For example, you could create a map for a business location and use its coordinates to position the map.

What do these fields mean?

Map Title:
The name you use to identify the map in your WordPress dashboard.

Latitude:
The latitude coordinate for the map’s starting position.

Longitude:
The longitude coordinate for the map’s starting position.

Zoom:
Controls how close the initial map view is.

For a city-level map, you may want a closer zoom. For a map covering several states or locations, use a wider view.

You don’t need to make the settings complicated. Start with the basic values and adjust the zoom if necessary.

Step 4: Customize the Marker and Popup

Easy Map also lets you customize the information shown with your map marker.

Depending on your setup, you can:

• Change the marker icon
• Add text to the popup
• Add an image
• Customize the popup content

These options are useful for business locations.

For example, a popup could contain:

Main Office

123 Demo Street
New York, NY 11201

You can also add an image to make the location information more useful to visitors.

These settings are optional. You can create a basic map without adding custom popup content.

Step 5: Save the Map

Once you’ve entered the map information, scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save.

Easy Map will save the map and take you back to the map management screen.

You’ll now see your newly created map in the list.

Step 6: Copy the Map Shortcode

Go to:

Easy Map → Manage Map

Find the map you just created.

You’ll see a shortcode similar to:

[ easy-map ID=”29833″ ]

Copy the shortcode.

This shortcode is what you’ll use to place the map on your WordPress page.

Step 7: Add the Map to a WordPress Page

Now open the page where you want to display the map.

You can use an existing page or create a new one.

Paste the Easy Map shortcode into the WordPress editor:

[ easy-map ID=”29833″ ]

Then save or update the page.

Open the page on the frontend to check the result.

Your interactive OpenStreetMap should now appear on the page.

How to Add Multiple Locations to a WordPress Map

If you have several stores, offices, branches, or other locations, you don’t have to create a separate map for every location.

Easy Map lets you create individual locations and then select multiple locations when creating a map.

The process looks like this:

Create a Store Category → Add Locations → Create a Map → Select Locations → Add the Shortcode

Here’s how it works.

Step 1: Create a Store Category

From your WordPress dashboard, go to:

Easy Map → Manage Store Category

Then click Add Store Category.

You’ll see the Add Store Category screen.

Enter a Category Title.

For example:

Las Vegas

You can also add:

• A Location/Store Image
• A Location/Store Marker Icon

Both are optional.

When you’re finished, click Save.

You’ll return to the All Store Category page, where your new category will appear.

For example:

Las Vegas

Creating a category first makes it easier to organize your locations.

Step 2: Add Your First Location

Now go to:

Easy Map → Manage Location/Store

Click Add New Location.

You’ll see the Add Easy Map Location screen.

For a basic location, enter:

• Location Title
• Latitude
• Longitude
• Store Category

For the Store Category, select the category you created earlier.

For example:

Las Vegas

You can use the map coordinates to position the location accurately.

Step 3: Add Your Location Details

Easy Map gives you additional fields for location information.

You can add:

• Image
• Address
• City
• State
• Country
• Closing Day
• Opening Hours
• Phone/Mobile
• Email
• Facebook URL
• Instagram URL
• Website / Custom URL

You can also choose a different Marker Icon.

If you want a custom information box when visitors click the marker, use the Marker Popup Type option and add your popup content.

Which fields are required?

You don’t need to fill out every field.

For a basic location, focus on:

• Location Title
• Latitude
• Longitude
• Store Category

The other fields can be added when you want to provide visitors with more information.

For example, a store location can include its opening hours, phone number, website, photo, and address.

When you’re finished, click Save.

Step 4: Repeat for Every Location

Now repeat the same process for your other locations.

For example, you could create:

• Las Vegas Store
• Los Angeles Store
• New York Store
• Washington Store

Each location is created separately under Manage Location/Store.

You can give each location its own:

• Coordinates
• Category
• Image
• Marker
• Contact information
• Popup content

Once you’ve created all your locations, you’re ready to put them on one map.

Add Multiple Locations to the Same Map

Now comes the most important part.

You’ve created your individual locations. Next, you’ll select them and display them together on one map.

Step 5: Create a Map and Select Your Locations

Go to:

Easy Map → Manage Map

Click Add New Map.

On the Add Easy Map screen, enter:

• Map Title
• Latitude
• Longitude
• Zoom

Then find the Locations field.

Click the field and select the locations you created earlier.

For example:

• Mon Ami Gabi
• 313–315 Anacostia Rd SE
• Connecticut Park Apartments
• Oakcrest Towers
• 7661 Dogbane Ave
• 9920 Karen Ave
• 20500 Cooper D

The selected locations will appear inside the Locations field.

This is what combines your individual locations into one multi-location map.

Important

The map’s latitude and longitude determine the map’s starting position.

The locations you select determine which markers appear on the map.

So don’t confuse these two settings:

Map coordinates = starting map view

Selected locations = markers displayed on the map

Step 6: Save the Multiple-Location Map

After selecting your locations, scroll down and click Save.

Easy Map will return you to the All Map screen.

You’ll see the map you just created in the list.

Find its shortcode.

It will look similar to:

[ easy-map ID=”29833″ ]

Copy the shortcode.

Step 7: Add the Multiple-Location Map to Your Page

Open the WordPress page where you want the map to appear.

Paste the shortcode into the editor:

[ easy-map ID=”29833″ ]

Save or update the page.

Then open the page on the frontend.

Your map should now display the locations you selected.

Visitors can click the individual markers to view the information you’ve added to each location.

How to Create a WordPress Store Locator Without Google Maps

If you have several physical locations, the same setup can be used for a simple store locator.

The basic workflow is:

1. Create a store category.
2. Add each store as a location.
3. Add the store’s address and contact details.
4. Customize the marker if needed.
5. Add popup information.
6. Create a map.
7. Select your stores under Locations.
8. Copy the map shortcode.
9. Add the shortcode to your WordPress page.

This gives you one map containing multiple store locations instead of creating a separate map for every store.

For more details about the available features and configuration options, see the Easy Map documentation.

Google Maps vs. OpenStreetMap for WordPress

Both Google Maps and OpenStreetMap can be used to display maps on websites, but they aren’t identical.

If you specifically need Google Maps features, a Google Maps integration may make sense.

But if your main requirement is a simple interactive map without setting up a Google Maps API key, OpenStreetMap can be a practical alternative.

With Easy Map, you can use OpenStreetMap and manage your maps from the WordPress dashboard.

You can also create individual locations and combine them into a multiple-location map.

Why Use Easy Map for a WordPress Map Without an API Key?

Easy Map is useful when you want to create and manage maps directly from WordPress rather than manually adding map code.

With the OpenStreetMap setup, you can:

• Create interactive maps
• Avoid a Google Maps API key
• Add individual locations
• Display multiple locations on one map
• Customize marker icons
• Add images to locations
• Add business information
• Create custom popup content
• Add maps to WordPress pages using shortcodes

For a basic map, the process is straightforward:

Install Easy Map → Select OpenStreetMap → Create your map → Save it → Copy the shortcode → Add it to your page

For multiple locations, add one extra layer:

Create categories → Create locations → Select those locations when creating your map

If you’re looking for a WordPress map plugin without an API requirement for an OpenStreetMap setup, Easy Map is a simple option to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a map to WordPress without a Google Maps API key?

Yes. You can use an OpenStreetMap-based WordPress map plugin instead of a Google Maps integration. With Easy Map, you can select OpenStreetMap as the default tile layer and create your map from the WordPress dashboard.

Is there a WordPress map plugin without an API?

Yes. Some WordPress map plugins support OpenStreetMap and don’t require a Google Maps API key for that setup. Easy Map lets you select OpenStreetMap as the default tile layer and create maps directly in WordPress.

Can I add multiple locations without a Google Maps API?

Yes. You can create multiple locations in Easy Map and then select those locations when creating a map. The resulting map can display all of the selected locations together.

Can I create a WordPress store locator without Google Maps?

Yes. You can create store categories, add individual store locations, and then select those locations on a map. This lets you create a store-location map without relying on a Google Maps API setup.

Do I need coding knowledge to add a map?

No. The basic process can be completed from the WordPress dashboard. You create the map in Easy Map, copy the generated shortcode, and paste it into the page where you want the map to appear.

Conclusion

Adding a map to WordPress doesn’t have to mean setting up a Google Maps API key.

With an OpenStreetMap-based setup, you can create an interactive map directly from your WordPress dashboard. Using Easy Map, the basic process is:

Install the plugin → Select OpenStreetMap → Create a map → Copy the shortcode → Add it to your page.

If you need several locations, create a store category first, add each location separately, and then select those locations when creating your map.

You can also customize markers, add images, include contact details, and create popup information for individual locations.

If you want to build your first map, start with Easy Map and follow the steps above.