Whether your car's speedometer has stopped working, you're riding a bike or scooter that never had one, or you just want to double-check your dashboard, your phone can act as an accurate speedometer — for free, with nothing to install.
Why your phone can do this
Every modern phone has a GPS chip. GPS can measure how fast your position is changing, which is exactly what a speedometer does — read your speed over the ground. Because it uses satellites, it doesn't depend on your car at all, so it works on any vehicle: car, bike, scooter, boat or on foot.
How to set it up (2 minutes)
- Open the GPS Speedometer in your phone's browser.
- Tap Start and allow location access when asked.
- Choose your unit — km/h, mph or knots.
- Prop the phone where you can see it, and start moving.
That's it. There's no app to download, no sign-up, and your location never leaves your phone.
Use HUD mode for the windshield
Looking down at a phone while driving isn't safe. HUD (head-up display) mode solves this: it mirrors the numbers left-to-right, so when you lay the phone flat on the dashboard, the display reflects the right way round in your windshield — you can read your speed while looking at the road.
Tap HUD mode, place the phone flat near the base of the windscreen, and adjust the angle until the reflection is clear. It works best at night or in shade.
What you can track
Beyond live speed, the tool shows:
- Max speed reached on your trip
- Average speed
- Distance travelled
Handy for a road trip, a cycling ride, or testing whether your car's speedometer reads high (most do — see our guide on GPS vs car speedometers).
Tips for the best experience
- Charge while you drive — GPS and a bright screen use battery.
- Mount the phone where the sky isn't blocked for the strongest signal.
- Give it a few seconds to lock on before trusting the reading.
- Keep your eyes on the road — glance, don't stare, or use HUD mode.
A quick note on safety
A phone speedometer is a great backup and a fun way to check your speed, but for a car with a broken speedometer, get it repaired — it's a legal requirement to have a working one. Use the phone as a helper, not a permanent replacement.
Ready to try it? Open the free GPS speedometer — it works on any phone, right in the browser.