Helium Network Map and Explorer - Mapping Network

Helium Explorer and Network Map: How to Find Hotspots and Coverage

October 2, 2023

Mapping Network sells hardware only. We make no promises about Helium network rewards, token value or earnings, and nothing here is financial advice. Check current details on the official Helium network page.

A Helium explorer is a website that shows the Helium network on a map: where hotspots are, whether they're online, and how much of an area is covered. People use it to check coverage before deploying LoRaWAN sensors or trackers, to look up a hotspot by name, and to plan where a new hotspot or antenna would help most.

Where to find the Helium explorer and map today

The Helium explorer has moved more than once. The original explorer.helium.com was rebuilt after Helium moved to the Solana blockchain in 2023, and community tools such as Hotspotty have offered their own maps. Today the official starting point is Helium World, run by the Helium team, which shows live network statistics for the IoT (LoRaWAN) network.

Links and features change often, so if a bookmark stops working, start from Helium World.

What you can do with a Helium network map

Check coverage before you buy sensors. If you plan to use LoRaWAN sensors or trackers on the Helium network, look for active hotspots near where your devices will be.
Look up a hotspot. Search by hotspot name or location to see whether it is online and where it sits.
Spot gaps. Areas with few or no hotspots are where a new, well-placed hotspot adds the most coverage.
Follow network growth. Network-wide statistics show how many hotspots are active and how much data the network carries.

Reading hexes on the Helium map

The Helium map divides the world into hexagons (hexes) using Uber's H3 grid. Each hex covers a fixed area, and hotspots are shown in the hex where they're asserted. Hexes make it easy to see how densely an area is covered: several hotspots crowded into one hex add little new coverage, while a hotspot in an empty hex next to busy ones extends the network.

Using the map to plan an install

Once you've found a spot that needs coverage, the hardware matters more than the map. A few basics:

Mount the antenna as high as you safely can, with a clear view over nearby roofs and trees.
Keep the cable short and use low-loss cable such as LMR-400 for longer runs.
Fit a grounded lightning arrestor on any outdoor antenna.
Use a weatherproof enclosure if the hotspot or gateway goes outside.

Next steps: improve your coverage

Read our 915 MHz antenna buying guide to choose by distance and terrain.
Connect a LoRaWAN sensor to Helium in Canada, step by step.
Set up cottage freeze and leak alerts with LoRaWAN sensors.
Monitor farm water tank levels with LoRaWAN.
Track a trailer or boat with a LoRaWAN GPS tracker.
Shop 915 MHz antennas for Helium, LoRaWAN and Meshtastic.
Shop Helium hotspots and LoRaWAN gateways, shipped from Ontario, Canada.

Not sure what fits your site? Try our free Antenna Setup Planner, or ask us using the chat button.

FAQ

Is there an official Helium explorer?
Yes. Helium World at world.helium.com is run by the Helium team and shows live statistics for the Helium IoT network. Community explorers such as Hotspotty also exist.

How do I find a Helium hotspot on the map?
Open the explorer and search by the hotspot's name (its three-word animal name) or zoom into its location.

What do the hexagons on the Helium map mean?
Each hexagon is a fixed area on the H3 grid. They show how many hotspots are in each area, which helps you see where coverage is thin.

Can I check Helium coverage in Canada?
Yes. Zoom into your town on the map. Coverage in Canada is densest in cities and thinner in rural areas.