A GLN identifying a location answers the question of “where” something has been, is, or will be.
GLN can be used to identify two types of locations: Physical location and digital location.
A physical location is a tangible place that may be represented by an address, coordinates, or other means.
A physical location within another physical location can be allocated its own GLN. Each sub-location is a specific space located on or within another physical location. Under certain circumstances, these sub-locations can be identified with a GLN extension component. Learn more about GLN extension component.
Not all locations stay in a fixed spot. A mobile location refers to something that answers the question, “where?” and is expected to move and can also be allocated a GLN. (e.g., shipping vessels, mobile blood donation van).
Note: Mobile locations may also need to be identified as assets. If so, they would need to separately be assigned a Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI) or Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI).
A physical location must be allocated its own GLN when its access address is different from other physical locations and there is a business need to identify the physical location across organisations.
Physical location
![Corporate headquarters](http://gs1go2.azureedge.net/cdn/ff/_9qvvnmoN97HcM12f1eqSsks8YUP7jmdCHeCM5oJ2Tg/1636985357/public/2021-11/gln-1-corporate-headquarters.jpg)
Corporate headquarters
![Distribution centre](http://gs1go2.azureedge.net/cdn/ff/RveXazL-Pyn2riho3KiEEQzkh1eY4uttPk4DkKkeMmU/1636985359/public/2021-11/gln-2-distribution-centre.jpg)
Distribution centre
![Factory](http://gs1go2.azureedge.net/cdn/ff/NjMjKUoMbsGqL0wTEiTQZ6eAFJ3wK9l-Eu-K9zCcveQ/1636985362/public/2021-11/gln-3-factory.jpg)
Factory
![Grocery store](http://gs1go2.azureedge.net/cdn/ff/D2Sll3qnHrC2envIoMtI7EdVN5ch5WtIWFvWV1C6FP0/1636985365/public/2021-11/gln-4-grocery-store.jpg)
Grocery store
![Dock door](http://gs1go2.azureedge.net/cdn/ff/vtpKNdap6jJ3ukrOQRaqFtvDUzjlSm9Lda7JcoE1jpM/1636985368/public/2021-11/gln-5-dock-door.jpg)
Dock door
![Bank](http://gs1go2.azureedge.net/cdn/ff/rDtDlh-Ag0Vc76s0Cz9rLwr3KpO2RwPN-PtHA6hc53I/1636985371/public/2021-11/gln-6-bank.jpg)
Bank
![Mobile blood donation van](http://gs1go2.azureedge.net/cdn/ff/L7RE4aeNV0BncMKXs39S9wLPvtWtosRtpdYMemFX31o/1636985374/public/2021-11/gln-7-blood-donation.jpg)
Mobile blood donation van
![Cold storage within a warehouse](http://gs1go2.azureedge.net/cdn/ff/9JXdmhErHBvzalvyStWb_-FOonoTvl1dW7C3YuMXbNs/1636985376/public/2021-11/gln-8-cold-storage.jpg)
Cold storage within a warehouse
![Port](http://gs1go2.azureedge.net/cdn/ff/oK0GtG2q0r-wmGxzQPU3EX9x4vp8hHh9qF4A5M7DK-M/1636985380/public/2021-11/gln-9-port.jpg)
Port
![Barn](http://gs1go2.azureedge.net/cdn/ff/_8DBbrbwyskWJ64I9Pb3Ke1t0XiyN3xOQ5qnTNdyJPk/1636985383/public/2021-11/gln-10-barn.jpg)
Barn
![Shelf](http://gs1go2.azureedge.net/cdn/ff/CkEsjMW9YkoNJdMHTLft6A3AppaRtG7t1kj-1eZ1-BA/1636985386/public/2021-11/gln-11-shelf.jpg)
Shelf
![Clinic](http://gs1go2.azureedge.net/cdn/ff/XpWiATc8nz-ZvS6aoXbAUUPiKVb_zxt7J32h59ZlcYo/1636985389/public/2021-11/gln-12-clinic.jpg)