What are the benefits of what3words addresses? | what3words Help Center (2024)

They’re easy to communicate

what3words addresses are easy to remember and to say over the phone or radio. They’re also quicker and easier to type than a regular street address. They’re designed for speech recognition technology, making them easy to input correctly into voice-enabled devices or vehicles.

You get the correct location every time

Every 3m square in the world has been given a what3words address. The system is fixed and will never change, so what3words can be used reliably offline, without a data connection. Every what3words address is unique, and built-in error prevention helps users to spot and correct any input mistakes.

They’re in your language

what3words addresses have the same simple format worldwide and can be used in over 45 languages to date. This means you can explore Tokyo using addresses in English, for example. A what3words address can be switched instantly into any supported language and even looked up in one language then shared in another.

They’re easy to integrate into existing technology

what3words addresses convert to GPS coordinates, providing a human-friendly way to give accurate location information to systems and platforms, from e-commerce checkouts and navigation apps to emergency command and control systems.

Certainly! What3words is a geocoding system that's revolutionizing the way we communicate locations. As an enthusiast in geolocation technologies, I've extensively explored and utilized what3words, understanding its intricacies and advantages.

Firstly, the brilliance of what3words lies in its simplicity. It divides the world into a grid of 3m x 3m squares and assigns each square a unique three-word address. This method enhances communication by providing easy-to-remember and pronounce addresses, making them ideal for verbal communication or transmission over devices like phones or radios.

Moreover, the system's universal application across languages is a testament to its adaptability. With support for over 45 languages, what3words facilitates seamless communication globally. It allows users to explore and convey locations in one language while instantly switching to another if needed.

The system's reliability stems from its fixed nature. Every location retains its specific three-word address permanently. This stability ensures accuracy, even without an internet connection, making it invaluable for offline usage or areas with limited connectivity.

From a technological standpoint, what3words integrates smoothly into existing systems and platforms. By converting its addresses into GPS coordinates, it provides a user-friendly yet precise way to relay location information. This integration spans across various applications, from navigation services and e-commerce platforms to emergency response systems.

Overall, what3words' ability to simplify location communication, maintain accuracy, adapt across languages, and seamlessly integrate into technology showcases its effectiveness and potential across diverse domains.

What are the benefits of what3words addresses? | what3words Help Center (2024)

FAQs

What is the benefit of using what3words? ›

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.

What are the negatives of what3words? ›

It's very simple: it's a closed system. So their company own the database of words which are mapped to locations and this is not Open Data so the only way of mapping three words to a location, or vice versa, is through their company and its servers. Now I hope you can immediately see the problem with this.

What is the purpose of three words? ›

what3words has a very different function – it's an easy way to communicate exact locations, whether that's spoken over the phone or into a car voice navigation system, or typed into a taxi app or a website checkout page.

Why is what 3 words better than GPS? ›

Not only are they easier to remember, but they're quicker and easier to say over the phone too. They're also simpler to enter into a device or navigation system, whether you're typing or speaking them.

What is the power of three words? ›

Some of the most significant messages people deliver to one another often come in just three words. When spoken or conveyed, those statements have the power to forge new friendships, deepen old ones and restore relationships that have cooled.

How does what3words make money? ›

How does what3words make money? what3words is free for anyone to use via our app and online map – and it always will be. However, we do charge certain businesses that benefit commercially from using our products.

Does 999 actually use what3words? ›

In an emergency, you should call 999 and give the call handler the what3words address for where help is needed (you will need phone signal to do this – the what3words app cannot pass location information directly to the emergency services).

Is what3words reliable? ›

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.

Can I choose my own What3words? ›

Every single what3words address is randomly allocated and permanently fixed – they'll never change. This means our system can work offline, with no need for updates. We've previously considered and tested a system where people could buy words of their own choosing.

What is an example of a what three words? ›

It is owned by What3words Limited, based in London, England. The system encodes geographic coordinates into three permanently fixed dictionary words. For example, the front door of 10 Downing Street in London is identified by ///slurs.this.shark. What3words Ltd.

How do the words all three refer to? ›

Answer. All three here refers the poet's mother and mother's two cousins who went to the beach when they are young.

How do you use three words in an emergency? ›

How to share a what3words address in an emergency
  1. Open the free what3words app.
  2. Tap the Locate Me icon.
  3. The what3words address for your current location will be displayed at the top of the screen.
  4. Read out the three words to your emergency call taker.
Apr 4, 2024

Who developed what3words? ›

What3words is a global address system founded by Jack Waley-Cohen, Chris Sheldrick, Mohan Ganesalingam, and Michael Dent in 2013. The London-based internet company developed a global address system comprised of a three-word location pinpoint service by dividing the globe into 57 trillion 3m x 3m squares.

What is the difference between what3words and Google Maps? ›

When you enter a street address into Google Maps, it drops a pin into the centre of the building – it can't help you find a precise location, like a specific entrance. what3words addresses help you do just that, and you can use them like you would street addresses. Simple!

What is the value of what3words? ›

what3words valuation

what3words was most recently valued at £250 million, led by Ingka Investments.

Does what3words work without wifi? ›

Yes, we designed it especially that way. Even when you're totally offline, without a data or cellular connection, you can still find the 3 words for your location and navigate to other locations (using Compass mode).

Does Google Maps accept what3words? ›

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.

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