what3words: Navigation & Maps

About what3words Navigation & Maps

what3words is a geocoding application that divides the world into a grid of 3-meter by 3-meter squares, assigning each square a unique combination of three words. Unlike traditional addresses or GPS coordinates, this system provides an extremely precise and easy-to-remember location identifier for any point on Earth. The app facilitates navigation, location sharing, and map exploration by converting these three-word addresses into geographic coordinates and vice versa. It serves as a universal addressing system, particularly valuable in areas without formal street addresses, remote locations, or emergency situations where precise location is critical. The app integrates with major navigation platforms and supports offline functionality, making it a versatile tool for personal and professional use.

Chapter 1: Function

The core function of what3words is to simplify and enhance location precision. Users can find any location on the planet by entering a three-word address, such as table.lamp.shade, which corresponds to a specific 3x3 meter square. The app converts these words into latitude and longitude coordinates and displays the location on an integrated map. Conversely, users can drop a pin on the map to obtain the three-word address for that exact spot. A key feature is the ability to share this address via messaging apps, email, or social media, ensuring the recipient can navigate precisely to that square. The app also provides turn-by-turn navigation by sending the coordinates to external map services like Google Maps or Apple Maps. Offline mode allows users to search for and convert three-word addresses without an internet connection, which is crucial in remote areas. Additionally, the app supports multiple languages, enabling users to generate and retrieve three-word addresses in their native tongue.

Chapter 2: Value

what3words offers substantial value by solving the problem of imprecise and complex location identification. Its primary advantage is its unparalleled accuracy, down to a 3-meter square, eliminating the ambiguity of traditional street addresses or the complexity of long decimal coordinates. This precision is transformative for emergency services, allowing callers to quickly and accurately report their location, potentially saving lives in situations where every second counts. For logistics and e-commerce, the app ensures deliveries reach exact drop-off points rather than approximate building locations, reducing failed deliveries and improving customer satisfaction. It also empowers individuals in rural or developing regions where formal addressing is absent, enabling them to receive mail, goods, or services. The system’s simplicity, using only three common words, makes it accessible to anyone, regardless of language or technical literacy. Furthermore, the offline capability ensures reliability in areas with poor connectivity, and its integration with major navigation platforms means users can instantly route to any three-word address. For travelers, what3words simplifies meeting points, event locations, and exploration of unfamiliar terrain, reducing confusion and frustration.

Chapter 3: Scenarios

The primary target users of what3words include emergency responders, logistics professionals, travelers, and individuals in underserved areas. In emergency scenarios, a hiker lost in a national park can share their three-word address with rescue teams, who can then locate them within meters. Delivery drivers use the app to find exact entrances to warehouses, construction sites, or remote properties, avoiding ambiguous addresses. Travelers rely on it to pinpoint meeting spots at large venues like music festivals or sports stadiums, where conventional landmarks are insufficient. In humanitarian contexts, aid organizations employ what3words to coordinate resource distribution in refugee camps or disaster zones lacking formal infrastructure. Real estate agents and property managers use the system to describe remote plots of land or buildings without street addresses. Additionally, event planners integrate three-word addresses into invitations for weddings or corporate retreats held in outdoor locations. The app also serves outdoor enthusiasts, such as geocachers or off-road drivers, who need to log exact locations for future reference. By providing a consistent, precise, and simple location system, what3words addresses a wide range of everyday and critical use cases across both consumer and enterprise sectors.