Introduction to Blips in FiveM Development

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When building immersive FiveM servers, one of the most useful tools you’ll use to guide players around the map is the blip. Blips are the icons that appear on the GTA V map and minimap—representing things like shops, police stations, safe zones, or custom server features.

In this post, we’ll cover:

  • What blips are in FiveM
  • How to create and customize them with scripts
  • Common use cases for blips in server development
  • Best practices for using blips effectively

What Are Blips in FiveM?

In GTA V (and FiveM), blips are markers displayed on the minimap and world map. They act as navigation tools for players, showing important locations, job centers, or points of interest.

Examples include:

  • Police and EMS stations
  • Car dealerships
  • Custom job locations (taxi ranks, trucking depots, etc.)
  • Safe zones or PvP arenas
  • Shops, banks, and ATMs

By adding custom blips, you make your server easier to navigate and more immersive for players.

Creating a Blip in FiveM

Blips are created using the AddBlipForCoord function in client-side scripts. Here’s a basic example:

Citizen.CreateThread(function()
    -- Coordinates for the blip (X, Y, Z)
    local blip = AddBlipForCoord(-267.0, -958.0, 31.0)

    -- Set blip properties
    SetBlipSprite(blip, 225)       -- Icon (e.g., store)
    SetBlipDisplay(blip, 4)        -- Display type
    SetBlipScale(blip, 0.9)        -- Size
    SetBlipColour(blip, 2)         -- Color
    SetBlipAsShortRange(blip, true) -- Show only when close

    -- Set blip name
    BeginTextCommandSetBlipName("STRING")
    AddTextComponentString("Custom Shop")
    EndTextCommandSetBlipName(blip)
end)

👉 In this script:

  • A blip is added at a specific location.
  • It’s customized with an icon, size, color, and name.
  • Players will see “Custom Shop” on their map.

Blip Sprites (Icons)

FiveM includes a wide range of blip sprites (the icon used for the blip). These can represent things like cars, weapons, jobs, or custom markers.

Examples:

  • 225 = Store
  • 60 = Safehouse
  • 357 = Police Station
  • 280 = Hospital

A full list of blip sprites is available in the FiveM documentation.

Common Use Cases for Blips

Here are some popular ways developers use blips in FiveM servers:

  • Roleplay Jobs – Add blips for job centers, workplaces, and headquarters.
  • Points of Interest – Highlight custom locations like player-owned businesses.
  • Safe Zones – Mark areas where combat or weapons are disabled.
  • Custom Game Modes – Show objectives, checkpoints, or mission areas.

Blips not only improve player navigation but also help make your server feel more professional and polished.

Best Practices for Using Blips

  1. Don’t overcrowd the map – Too many blips can overwhelm players.
  2. Use colors consistently – For example, blue for police, green for shops, red for dangerous areas.
  3. Short-range blips – Use SetBlipAsShortRange to prevent clutter on the map.
  4. Match blips to gameplay – Only show blips when relevant (e.g., hide certain blips until a player unlocks a job).
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