Map & Navigation API (Retail — Patch 12.0.0)

Comprehensive reference for all map, navigation, and location APIs in WoW Retail.

Source: https://warcraft.wiki.gg/wiki/World_of_Warcraft_API Current as of: Patch 12.0.0 (Build 65655) — January 28, 2026 Scope: Retail only.

Scope

C_Map — Map data, coordinates, map IDs, areas
C_MapExplorationInfo — Fog of war / exploration data
C_AreaPoiInfo — Area Points of Interest
C_TaxiMap — Flight master/taxi routes
C_Vignette — Vignettes (rare mobs, treasures)
C_SuperTrackManager — Super tracking (waypoint tracking)
C_Navigation — In-game navigation system
C_ZoneAbility — Zone-specific abilities
C_FogOfWar — Fog of war system
Minimap — Minimap functions
C_NamePlateManager — Nameplate management

C_Map — Core Map System

Map Info & IDs

Function	Returns	Description
`C_Map.GetBestMapForUnit(unitToken)`	`uiMapID`	Best map for unit's location
`C_Map.GetMapInfo(uiMapID)`	`mapInfo`	Map name, type, parent
`C_Map.GetMapInfoAtPosition(uiMapID, x, y)`	`mapInfo`	Map info at coordinate
`C_Map.GetMapChildrenInfo(uiMapID [, mapType [, allDescendants]])`	`childrenInfo`	Child maps
`C_Map.GetMapGroupID(uiMapID)`	`mapGroupID`	Map group (floor group)
`C_Map.GetMapGroupMembersInfo(mapGroupID)`	`membersInfo`	Maps in group (floors)
`C_Map.GetMapLinksForMap(uiMapID)`	`mapLinks`	Map links (transitions)
`C_Map.GetMapRectOnMap(uiMapID, parentMapID)`	`minX, maxX, minY, maxY`	Map rect on parent
`C_Map.GetPlayerMapPosition(uiMapID, unitToken)`	`position`	Player position on map
`C_Map.GetWorldPosFromMapPos(uiMapID, mapPosition)`	`continentID, worldPosition`	Map → world coords
`C_Map.GetMapPosFromWorldPos(continentID, worldPosition [, overrideUiMapID])`	`uiMapID, mapPosition`	World → map coords
`C_Map.GetFallbackWorldMapID()`	`uiMapID`	Default world map
`C_Map.GetBountySetMaps(bountySetID)`	`mapIDs`	Maps for bounty set
`C_Map.GetAreaInfo(areaID)`	`areaName`	Area name by ID
`C_Map.GetMapArtID(uiMapID)`	`mapArtID`	Art asset ID
`C_Map.GetMapArtBackgroundAtlas(uiMapID)`	`atlasName`	Background atlas
`C_Map.GetMapArtHelpTextPosition(uiMapID)`	`position`	Help text position
`C_Map.GetMapArtLayerTextures(uiMapID, layerIndex)`	`textures`	Layer texture files
`C_Map.GetNumMapArtLayers(uiMapID)`	`numLayers`	Number of art layers
`C_Map.GetMapArtLayers(uiMapID)`	`layers`	All art layer info
`C_Map.GetMapDisplayInfo(uiMapID)`	`hideIcons`	Display flags
`C_Map.GetMapHighlightInfoAtPosition(uiMapID, x, y)`	`fileDataID, atlasID, texturePercentageX, texturePercentageY, textureX, textureY, scrollChildX, scrollChildY`	Highlight at position
`C_Map.HasArt(uiMapID)`	`hasArt`	Has map art?
`C_Map.IsMapValidForNavBarDropdown(uiMapID)`	`isValid`	Valid for navbar?
`C_Map.MapHasArt(uiMapID)`	`hasArt`	Alias for HasArt
`C_Map.RequestPreloadMap(uiMapID)`	—	Preload map data
`C_Map.SetUserWaypoint(uiMapID, position)`	—	Set user waypoint
`C_Map.GetUserWaypoint()`	`point`	Get user waypoint
`C_Map.HasUserWaypoint()`	`hasWaypoint`	Has user waypoint?
`C_Map.ClearUserWaypoint()`	—	Clear user waypoint
`C_Map.CanSetUserWaypointOnMap(uiMapID)`	`canSet`	Can set waypoint?
`C_Map.GetUserWaypointHyperlink()`	`hyperlink`	Waypoint hyperlink
`C_Map.GetUserWaypointFromHyperlink(hyperlink)`	`point`	Parse waypoint link
`C_Map.GetUserWaypointPositionForMap(uiMapID)`	`mapPosition`	Waypoint on map

Map Types (Enum.UIMapType)

Value	Type	Description
0	Cosmic	All continents
1	World	Shows continents
2	Continent	Single continent
3	Zone	Zone (e.g., Durotar)
4	Dungeon	Dungeon floors
5	Micro	Subzone
6	Orphan	Standalone map

C_MapExplorationInfo — Exploration

Function	Returns	Description
`C_MapExplorationInfo.GetExploredMapTextures(uiMapID)`	`textures`	Explored area textures
`C_MapExplorationInfo.GetExploredAreaIDsAtPosition(uiMapID, position)`	`areaIDs`	Explored area IDs at pos

C_AreaPoiInfo — Area Points of Interest

Function	Returns	Description
`C_AreaPoiInfo.GetAreaPOIForMap(uiMapID)`	`poiIDs`	All POIs on map
`C_AreaPoiInfo.GetAreaPOIInfo(uiMapID, poiID)`	`poiInfo`	POI details
`C_AreaPoiInfo.GetAreaPOISecondsLeft(poiID)`	`secondsLeft`	Time-limited POI timer
`C_AreaPoiInfo.GetAreaPOITimeOfDay()`	`hours, minutes`	POI time context
`C_AreaPoiInfo.IsAreaPOITimed(poiID)`	`isTimed`	Is POI time-limited?

POI Info Fields

areaPoiID — Unique POI ID
position — {x, y} on map
name — Display name
description — Description text
textureIndex — POI icon index
atlasName — Atlas for icon
uiTextureKit — Texture kit
tooltipWidgetSet — Tooltip widget set
iconWidgetSet — Icon widget set
availableInPlayerChoice — Available in player choice

C_TaxiMap — Flight Paths / Taxi

Function	Returns	Description
`C_TaxiMap.GetAllTaxiNodes(uiMapID)`	`nodes`	All flight nodes on map
`C_TaxiMap.GetTaxiNodesForMap(uiMapID)`	`nodes`	Available taxi nodes
`C_TaxiMap.ShouldMapShowTaxiNodes(uiMapID)`	`shouldShow`	Show taxi nodes on map?
`NumTaxiNodes()`	`numNodes`	Available nodes at taxi NPC
`TaxiNodeName(index)`	`name`	Node name
`TaxiNodePosition(index)`	`x, y`	Node position
`TaxiNodeGetType(index)`	`nodeType`	REACHABLE, UNREACHABLE, CURRENT
`TaxiGetDestX(index, i)`	`x`	Route destination X
`TaxiGetDestY(index, i)`	`y`	Route destination Y
`TaxiGetSrcX(index, i)`	`x`	Route source X
`TaxiGetSrcY(index, i)`	`y`	Route source Y
`GetNumRoutes(index)`	`numRoutes`	Route segments count
`TakeTaxiNode(index)`	—	Take flight to node
`CloseTaxiMap()`	—	Close taxi map
`TaxiRequestEarlyLanding()`	—	Request early landing
`UnitOnTaxi(unit)`	`onTaxi`	Is unit on a taxi?

C_Vignette — Vignettes (Rare Mobs, Treasures, Events)

Function	Returns	Description
`C_VignetteInfo.GetVignetteInfo(vignetteGUID)`	`info`	Vignette details
`C_VignetteInfo.GetVignettes()`	`vignetteGUIDs`	All active vignettes
`C_VignetteInfo.GetVignettePosition(vignetteGUID, uiMapID)`	`position`	Vignette position on map
`C_VignetteInfo.FindBestUniqueVignette(vignetteID)`	`bestGUID`	Best unique vignette

Vignette Info Fields

vignetteGUID — Unique identifier
objectGUID — Object GUID (unit, object, etc.)
name — Display name
atlasName — Icon atlas
type — Vignette type (Normal, PvPBounty, Torghast, etc.)
isDead — Is the linked unit dead?
onWorldMap — Shows on world map?
onMinimap — Shows on minimap?
hasTooltip — Has mouseover tooltip?
inFogOfWar — In unexplored area?
widgetSetID — UI widget set

C_SuperTrackManager — Waypoint Super Tracking

Function	Returns	Description
`C_SuperTrack.GetSuperTrackedContent()`	`trackableType, trackableID`	Currently tracked content
`C_SuperTrack.GetSuperTrackedMapPin()`	`type, typeID`	Tracked map pin
`C_SuperTrack.GetSuperTrackedQuestID()`	`questID`	Super tracked quest
`C_SuperTrack.SetSuperTrackedContent(trackableType, trackableID)`	—	Set tracked content
`C_SuperTrack.SetSuperTrackedMapPin(type, typeID)`	—	Set tracked map pin
`C_SuperTrack.SetSuperTrackedQuestID(questID)`	—	Track quest
`C_SuperTrack.SetSuperTrackedUserWaypoint(superTracked)`	—	Track user waypoint
`C_SuperTrack.IsSuperTrackingAnything()`	`isTracking`	Is tracking anything?
`C_SuperTrack.IsSuperTrackingCorpse()`	`isTrackingCorpse`	Tracking corpse?
`C_SuperTrack.IsSuperTrackingQuest()`	`isTracking`	Tracking a quest?
`C_SuperTrack.IsSuperTrackingUserWaypoint()`	`isTracking`	Tracking user waypoint?
`C_SuperTrack.ClearAllSuperTracked()`	—	Clear all tracking

C_Navigation — In-Game Navigation

Function	Returns	Description
`C_Navigation.GetDistance()`	`distance`	Distance to tracked target
`C_Navigation.GetFrame()`	`frame`	Navigation frame
`C_Navigation.HasValidScreenPosition()`	`hasValidPos`	Is nav arrow valid?
`C_Navigation.WasClampedToScreen()`	`wasClamped`	Was arrow clamped?

C_ZoneAbility

Function	Returns	Description
`C_ZoneAbility.GetActiveAbilities()`	`abilities`	Active zone abilities

C_FogOfWar

Function	Returns	Description
`C_FogOfWar.GetFogOfWarForMap(uiMapID)`	`fogOfWarID`	Fog of war ID for map
`C_FogOfWar.GetFogOfWarInfo(fogOfWarID)`	`info`	Fog of war info

Minimap Functions

Function	Returns	Description
`GetMinimapZoneText()`	`zoneText`	Minimap zone text
`GetZoneText()`	`zoneText`	Current zone name
`GetSubZoneText()`	`subZoneText`	Current subzone
`GetRealZoneText()`	`zoneText`	Real zone text
`GetMinimapShape()`	`shape`	ROUND or SQUARE
`Minimap:SetZoom(zoomLevel)`	—	Set minimap zoom
`Minimap:GetZoom()`	`zoomLevel`	Get minimap zoom
`Minimap:GetZoomLevels()`	`numLevels`	Max zoom levels
`ToggleMinimap()`	—	Toggle minimap visibility

C_NamePlateManager / Nameplates

Function	Returns	Description
`C_NamePlate.GetNamePlates([includeForbidden])`	`nameplates`	All activated nameplates
`C_NamePlate.GetNamePlateForUnit(unitToken [, includeForbidden])`	`nameplate`	Nameplate for unit
`C_NamePlate.GetNumNamePlates()`	`numActive`	Active nameplates count
`C_NamePlate.SetNamePlateFriendlySize(width, height)`	—	Set friendly plate size
`C_NamePlate.SetNamePlateEnemySize(width, height)`	—	Set enemy plate size
`C_NamePlate.SetNamePlateSelfSize(width, height)`	—	Set personal plate size
`C_NamePlate.SetNamePlateFriendlyClickThrough(clickThrough)`	—	Click through friendly
`C_NamePlate.SetNamePlateEnemyClickThrough(clickThrough)`	—	Click through enemy
`C_NamePlate.SetNamePlateSelfClickThrough(clickThrough)`	—	Click through personal

12.0.0 Note: Nameplates in instances are tightly restricted. Enemy nameplate unit tokens may expose only secret values for health, casting, etc.

Coordinate Conversion

Map Position Object

C_Map.GetPlayerMapPosition() returns a Vector2DMixin with:

local pos = C_Map.GetPlayerMapPosition(mapID, "player")
if pos then
    local x, y = pos:GetXY()
    -- x, y are 0-1 normalized coordinates on the map
    print(string.format("%.2f, %.2f", x * 100, y * 100))
end

Convert Between Maps

-- Get player position on the current best map
local mapID = C_Map.GetBestMapForUnit("player")
if mapID then
    local pos = C_Map.GetPlayerMapPosition(mapID, "player")
    if pos then
        -- Convert to world coordinates
        local continentID, worldPos = C_Map.GetWorldPosFromMapPos(mapID, pos)
        -- Convert back to a different map
        local otherMapID, otherPos = C_Map.GetMapPosFromWorldPos(continentID, worldPos)
    end
end

User Waypoint

-- Set a waypoint on the map
local mapID = C_Map.GetBestMapForUnit("player")
if C_Map.CanSetUserWaypointOnMap(mapID) then
    local point = UiMapPoint.CreateFromCoordinates(mapID, 0.5, 0.5)
    C_Map.SetUserWaypoint(point)
    C_SuperTrack.SetSuperTrackedUserWaypoint(true)
end

Key Events

Event	Payload	Description
`ZONE_CHANGED`	—	Subzone changed
`ZONE_CHANGED_INDOORS`	—	Indoor zone changed
`ZONE_CHANGED_NEW_AREA`	—	Major zone change
`NEW_WMO_CHUNK`	—	New world map object
`MAP_EXPLORATION_UPDATED`	—	Exploration updated
`WORLD_MAP_UPDATE`	—	World map data changed
`USER_WAYPOINT_UPDATED`	—	User waypoint changed
`SUPER_TRACKING_CHANGED`	—	Super tracking changed
`VIGNETTE_MINIMAP_UPDATED`	vignetteGUID, onMinimap	Vignette on minimap changed
`VIGNETTES_UPDATED`	—	Vignettes updated
`AREA_POIS_UPDATED`	—	Area POIs changed
`NAME_PLATE_CREATED`	namePlateFrame	Nameplate created
`NAME_PLATE_UNIT_ADDED`	unitToken	Unit added to nameplate
`NAME_PLATE_UNIT_REMOVED`	unitToken	Unit removed from nameplate
`PLAYER_STARTED_MOVING`	—	Player started moving
`PLAYER_STOPPED_MOVING`	—	Player stopped moving
`TAXIMAP_OPENED`	systemID	Taxi map opened
`TAXIMAP_CLOSED`	—	Taxi map closed
`NAVIGATION_FRAME_CREATED`	—	Nav frame created
`NAVIGATION_FRAME_DESTROYED`	—	Nav frame destroyed

Gotchas & Restrictions

GetPlayerMapPosition returns nil — Returns nil for units in instances where position tracking is restricted or for invalid map IDs.
Map coordinates are 0-1 normalized — Not world coordinates. Use GetWorldPosFromMapPos() to convert.
uiMapID vs areaID — These are different ID systems. C_Map.GetAreaInfo() takes areaID, not uiMapID.
Nameplate secrets in 12.0.0 — In instances, enemy nameplate unit data (health, casting, name) may be secret values.
TakeTaxiNode hardware event — Requires a hardware event to execute (must be called from a click handler).
Vignette GUIDs are transient — Vignette GUIDs change when you zone or reload. Don't persist them.
Map group = floors — Dungeon maps with multiple floors use map groups. Each floor is a separate uiMapID in the group.
Waypoint limit — Only one user waypoint can exist at a time. Setting a new one replaces the old.

wow-api-map-navigation

Map & Navigation API (Retail — Patch 12.0.0)

Scope

C_Map — Core Map System

Map Info & IDs

Map Types (Enum.UIMapType)

C_MapExplorationInfo — Exploration

C_AreaPoiInfo — Area Points of Interest

POI Info Fields

C_TaxiMap — Flight Paths / Taxi

C_Vignette — Vignettes (Rare Mobs, Treasures, Events)

Vignette Info Fields

C_SuperTrackManager — Waypoint Super Tracking

C_Navigation — In-Game Navigation

C_ZoneAbility

C_FogOfWar

Minimap Functions

C_NamePlateManager / Nameplates

Coordinate Conversion

Map Position Object

Convert Between Maps

User Waypoint

Key Events

Gotchas & Restrictions