Meeting Centre of Gravity for ZIP codes
Use this tool to find the best place to hold a meeting for it's attendees by inputting their US ZIP code. The COG tool will then work out the centre of gravity for the meeting. This will be represented by a marker on the map.
Meeting COG For ZIP codes Map
Input Data
| ZIP Code (5 digits) | ||
| ZIP code 1 | ||
| ZIP code 2 | ||
| ZIP code 3 | ||
| ZIP code 4 | ||
| ZIP code 5 | ||
| ZIP code 6 | ||
| ZIP code 7 | ||
| ZIP code 8 | ||
| ZIP code 9 | ||
| ZIP code 10 | ||
Further Information on ZIP code COG Tool
Once you input the USA ZIP codes (2 up to 10), this tool will work out where the best place is to hold the meeting. This will be a point on the map where, if all attendees could travel in a straight line to get to, would give the least combined travel time for them to meet up.
Yes, of course people cant travel in straight lines and they cant hold the meeting in a field, in the sea or in some strangers house if that is what the tools tells you. You are then expected to use that as a base from which to find a meeting venue close by, be it a bar, park or hotel etc..
Let us know if this tool comes in useful to you by posting a comment below. It will be interesting to find out how it is used.
Future Ideas
- Show the address of the COG marker
- Show the nearest public place to the COG marker (restaurant, park etc...)
- Show driving directions between the input ZIP codes and the COG point
- Show the distance between each point and the COG point
Relevant Links
Version History
- Version 1 : 12/11/2008 : Get it up and running
- Version 2 : 04/02/2009
- Fix Clear button issue (moved map to the UK previously instead of the USA)
- Add Get directions option from each ZIP to the COG
- Add find nearest search to find a location nearest the COG
- Added polyline overlay between each ZIP and the COG
Previous Comments For This Page
Many of your other tools allow the inputting of street addresses. That degree of specificity would be a useful addition to this tool.
By Catbus on 17/06/2012
My primary use is to acquire the actual zip codes. The visual is not useful -- and probably the limiting factor.
By Monica on 22/02/2012
Hi Jim T, can you list the 6 you used please?
By Free Map Tools on 25/01/2012
Tried 6 zip - immediate 'Could Not Find'. Network comm issue?
By Jim T on 25/01/2012
John on 14/12/2011, it should now be fixed!
By Free Map Tools on 04/01/2012
Lately, this tool has been taking forever to load. Other tools are still working as normal. Maybe there's a bug that needs checking out....
By John on 14/12/2011
It would be great to be able to list of post codes (ZIP codes in the USA) of arbitrary length. For example, if a chapter of a professional society wants to determine the "best" meeting location, put in the post codes of all active members. that way the choice is weighted by number of people affected as well as raw straight-line distance.
By GCP on 10/11/2011
1. Make an Android phone application out of it!
2. Enable it to calculate central locations based upon driving routes rather than air distance.
Great app! I use it all the time. But I would especially love to have it on my Droid!
On 21/09/2010
Anyway to find out a cdentral meeting place for something like the following?
CITY CODE COUNTRY
Bakel 5760 NL
Sydney 2147 AUS
Bangkok 10260 Thailand
Sydney 2147 AUS
Bangkok 10260 Thailand
Shanghai 200001 China
Taipei 103 Taiwan
Wallau 35216 D
Kempten 87437 D
Slagelse 4200 DK
Frisco 75034 TX
Campinas 13091-901 BR
Newport MK16 9PS UK
Barcelona E-08290 SP
I know it would be wet, but again maybe we could start there and then find nearest place.
On 10/07/2009
It is here
By Free Map Tools on 12/03/2009
How about a UK version
On 12/03/2009
jb, there has been a few updates addressing some of your suggested improvements. Feedback is welcome.
By Free Map Tools on 04/02/2009
I think this could be a GREAT tool! I am a conultant that dpoes business up to 60 miles from home, and I frequently meet both clients and other consultants. We generally guess what the midway point is between us, so this will help tremendously.
There are two things I'd like to see from this tool:
(1) Use Google's driving directions for calculation (i.e., the driving distance rather than "as the crow flies" distance)
(2) Tap into Google's database of nearby businesses to suggest restaurants.
I don't know what Google Maps provides in its API, but I'm sure you have thought of these things. Does Google allow them? Or (for #2) could you tap into one of the on-line yellow pages for your data?
THANKS!
By jb on 19/01/2009
Fancy tool but not very practical (for the same reasons the author listed).
On 13/01/2009
This looks cool, but I live in Australia. How hard would it be to create a global version?
By Kristian on 01/12/2008
This was just what I was looking for to try and plan a mini reunion. Excellent tool!
On 14/11/2008
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