Meet some of the inspiring UK companies innovating with what3words | what3words (2024)

FAQs

What companies are using what3words? ›

Logistics and e-commerce businesses like DPD, DHL Parcel UK, Evri, Aramex and the boohoo group are using what3words to ensure parcels are delivered exactly where they're needed.

The innovative location technology is used by the AA, with recent data revealing that more than 79 AA members per day on average use what3words to communicate the precise location of breakdowns. It's also used by over 85% of the UK's police, ambulance and fire services.

What3Words has also attracted criticism for being less reliable than claimed, in particular that the chance of confusing one address with another is high.

Is what3words free to use? Yes, our app and online map are free to use – and they always will be. We do charge businesses that benefit commercially from using what3words, but offer free access to emergency services and many NGOs for educational, community and innovative projects.

what3words is accepted by over 85% of UK emergency services – see the full list here. It's also used by some services in other countries.

Without phone signal, the app functions the same as when you have no data connection: you can view the location of any what3words address you enter. You can also navigate to it using compass mode. To share a what3words address over the phone or in a text message you need phone signal.

what3words helps drivers and our contact centre staff to identify an exact breakdown location. By working together, The AA and what3words are using the latest technology to provide drivers with even more peace of mind. Using three everyday words is a smart way to get you back on the road.”

what3words is used by over 85% of the UK's Police, Ambulance and Fire services, and has become a valuable and trusted tool in the emergency response toolkit. The technology has been used in thousands of situations, from reporting fires and rescuing pets to locating callers mid-heart attack with pinpoint accuracy.

Chris Sheldrick, Co-Founder and CEO of what3words, reveals how he went against the grain to raise over £100m, change human behaviour, and build a new global address system, now used by major car brands, ecommerce platforms, and emergency services globally.

Who is the CEO of what3words? ›

Chris Sheldrick is Co-founder & CEO of what3words. Chris worked in the music business for 10 years, booking bands and managing production for events around the globe.

As the entire what3words grid is fixed, the 3 word address for a particular location will never change even if buildings or streets are redeveloped. 3 word addresses are unique, unlike street names which are often duplicated, and they are easier to communicate and share with others.

what3words Help Centre. Can I search for a what3words address in Google Maps? Can I search for a what3words address in Google Maps? Not at the moment, but you can enter the what3words address into the free what3words app, tap Navigate and then select Google Maps to open the location in Google Maps.

what3words addresses are as accurate as GPS coordinates, but they are easier to remember, and quicker to say over the phone, or enter into a device by voice or text. There's also error-prevention technology built into the what3words system, which helps users to quickly identify and correct input mistakes.

what3words gives you a clear and precise location, but it doesn't help you get to it. Sure, you can navigate the app's map on your own, but it's got a long way to go before competing with other navigation apps that have been evolving and improving for over a decade now.

Does what3words work for the sea? Yes, just like it does for land. Every 3 metre square of the world's seas and oceans have what3words addresses in English, Japanese and Korean.

What3Words assigns three random words to a 3-meter by 3-meter square on the Earth's surface. By providing these words to emergency services, they can quickly and accurately find your location.