# On Google: labels inside ZIP and county areas

Official GBMaps guide for the classic map maker. VectorMaps has a different interface.

Source: https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=google-labels
Updated: 2026-09-30

The Polygon labels switch shows area names or 5-digit ZIP numbers on the geographic map. It starts off so the map is easier to view, and you can turn it on whenever you need the names.

![California ZIP polygons in On Google with the Polygon labels switch and fit-map control](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/usa-google-controls.jpg)

The geographic preview has its own label, fit and opacity controls. Zoom in to see more ZIP numbers.

## 1. Open the geographic view

Choose On Google above your map. Your current territory colours are prepared as a geographic overlay. On an individual or combined US ZIP map, it uses the corresponding real-world ZIP boundaries, including ZIPs with a leading zero.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=google-labels#google-labels--open)

## 2. Turn Polygon labels on or off

Tick Polygon labels at the top-left of the geographic view to put ZIP numbers or county names inside the polygons. Untick it to hide them. Crowded labels are automatically thinned; zoom in to see more. This switch does not alter the lettering on your printable SVG map.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=google-labels#google-labels--toggle)

## 3. Get back to the full map

Use the target-shaped fit control below the zoom buttons to return to the map's overview. Drag to move around, or use the + and − buttons, wheel or pinch to zoom. The opacity slider makes the colour overlay lighter or stronger against the roads and places underneath.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=google-labels#google-labels--fit)

## 4. Know what the switch remembers

The label choice stays with your On Google view while you switch between Design and On Google in the current page. It is not a permanent setting in the saved editable map. A short-lived shared snapshot does keep the on/off choice it had when its link was created.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=google-labels#google-labels--remember)

## Related guides

- [On Google: explore the geographic preview](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=google)
- [Google preview: opacity, key & extent](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=google-controls)
- [USA 5-digit ZIP maps: choose a state](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-zip-maps)
- [Share an On Google map for two hours](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=google-temporary-share)