what3words

what3words has divided the world into a grid of three-metre squares and given each one a unique three-word address (e.g. ///filled.count.soap). The what3words Public API converts between three-word addresses and latitude / longitude coordinates, offers an AutoSuggest with autocorrect for voice/typing input, exposes supported languages and locale variants, and returns grid sections as GeoJSON. The API is HTTPS GET only, authenticated by API key in a query parameter or X-Api-Key header, and is wrapped by official SDKs for Swift, Android, Java, JavaScript, Python, PHP, and .NET, plus UI components for map and OCR experiences.

what3words publishes 5 APIs on the APIs.io network, including Autosuggest API, Available Languages API, Convert To 3wa API, and 2 more. Tagged areas include Geocoding, Addressing, Location, Three Word Address, and Maps.

what3words’ developer surface includes authentication, documentation, GitHub presence, and 7 more developer resources.

🌐 Visit website 📡 Source on GitHub

34.3/100 thin ▬ flat Agent 31/100 agent aware Full breakdown ↓
scored 2026-08-05 · rubric v0.9.1

AccessFreeSelf serve⚡ Free to try

20 APIs

GeocodingAddressingLocationThree Word AddressMaps

Kin Score

Kin Score How this is scored →
scored 2026-08-05 · rubric v0.9.1

Composite quality — 34.3/100 · thin

Contract Quality 13.8 / 25

Developer Ergonomics 3.9 / 20

Commercial Clarity 5.8 / 20

Operational Transparency 3.4 / 13

Governance 0.0 / 12

Discoverability 7.4 / 10

Agent readiness — 31/100 · agent aware

Machine-Readable Contract 18 / 18

Agentic Access Contract 10 / 10

MCP Server 0 / 12

Machine-Readable Auth 10 / 10

Idempotency 0 / 9

Stable Error Semantics 0 / 8

Request/Response Examples 0 / 7

Rate-Limit Signaling 7 / 7

Typed Event Surface 0 / 6

Agent Skills 0 / 5

Well-Known Catalog 0 / 4

Consent & Bot Identity 0 / 3

A2A Agent Card 0 / 8

Dry-Run / Simulate Mode 0 / 4

Improve this rating by publishing the missing artifacts — every area above can be raised, and the full rubric is at apis.io/rating/. This rating is computed from github.com/api-evangelist/what3words: open an issue to ask a question, or submit a pull request to add artifacts. Want it done for you? Prioritized profiling — $2,500 →

APIs 20

Individual APIs this provider publishes, each with its own machine-readable definition.

Rate Limits 1

Documented rate limits and quota policies.

What3Words Rate Limits

2 limits

RATE LIMITS

FinOps 1

Cost, billing, and metering signals for API financial operations.

AGENTIC

Resources

Documentation 1

Reference material describing how the API behaves

Documentation

Documentation

Agent Surfaces 1

MCP servers, agent skills, and machine-readable catalogs

AgenticAccess

AgenticAccess

Build 1

SDKs, sample code, and the tooling you integrate with

GitHub

GitHub

Access & Security 2

Authentication, authorization, and security posture

DomainSecurity

DomainSecurity

Authentication

Authentication

Operate 1

Status, limits, changes, and where to get help

RateLimits

RateLimits

Commercial 2

Pricing, plans, and the legal terms of use

Plans

Plans

FinOps

FinOps

Company 2

The organization behind the API

LinkedIn

Website

Website

Source (apis.yml)

aid: what3words
url: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/api-evangelist/what3words/refs/heads/main/apis.yml
name: what3words
kind: company
description: what3words has divided the world into a grid of three-metre squares and given each one a unique three-word address
  (e.g. ///filled.count.soap). The what3words Public API converts between three-word addresses and latitude / longitude coordinates,
  offers an AutoSuggest with autocorrect for voice/typing input, exposes supported languages and locale variants, and returns
  grid sections as GeoJSON. The API is HTTPS GET only, authenticated by API key in a query parameter or X-Api-Key header,
  and is wrapped by official SDKs for Swift, Android, Java, JavaScript, Python, PHP, and .NET, plus UI components for map
  and OCR experiences.
accessModel:
  pricing: free
  onboarding: self-serve
  trial: false
  try_now: true
  public: false
  label: Free · Self-serve signup
  confidence: high
  source:
  - plans
  - authentication
  generated: '2026-07-22'
  method: derived
image: https://kinlane-images.s3.amazonaws.com/shared/apis-json/icons/what3words.png
tags:
- Geocoding
- Addressing
- Location
- Three Word Address
- Maps
created: '2026-05-23'
modified: '2026-05-23'
specificationVersion: '0.19'
apis:
- aid: what3words:public-api
  name: what3words Public API
  description: REST API for converting between three-word addresses and latitude / longitude coordinates, with AutoSuggest,
    available-languages, and grid-section endpoints. JSON or GeoJSON response formats. Authenticated via the X-Api-Key header
    or a key query parameter.
  humanURL: https://developer.what3words.com/public-api/docs
  baseURL: https://api.what3words.com/v3
  tags:
  - REST API
  - Geocoding
  - Addressing
  properties:
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://developer.what3words.com/public-api/docs
  - type: Repository
    url: https://github.com/what3words/what3words-api-docs
- aid: what3words:convert-to-3wa
  name: what3words convert-to-3wa Endpoint
  description: Converts a latitude / longitude coordinate into a three-word address in a chosen language.
  humanURL: https://developer.what3words.com/public-api/docs#convert-to-3wa
  baseURL: https://api.what3words.com/v3/convert-to-3wa
  tags:
  - Reverse Geocoding
  - Endpoint
  properties:
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://developer.what3words.com/public-api/docs#convert-to-3wa
- aid: what3words:convert-to-coordinates
  name: what3words convert-to-coordinates Endpoint
  description: Converts a three-word address into a latitude / longitude coordinate and a bounding square.
  humanURL: https://developer.what3words.com/public-api/docs#convert-to-coordinates
  baseURL: https://api.what3words.com/v3/convert-to-coordinates
  tags:
  - Forward Geocoding
  - Endpoint
  properties:
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://developer.what3words.com/public-api/docs#convert-to-coordinates
- aid: what3words:autosuggest
  name: what3words AutoSuggest Endpoint
  description: Validates and autocorrects partial or imperfect three-word input, returning ranked suggestions. Supports focus,
    clipping by polygon, country, bounding box or circle, and voice-input modes.
  humanURL: https://developer.what3words.com/public-api/docs#autosuggest
  baseURL: https://api.what3words.com/v3/autosuggest
  tags:
  - AutoSuggest
  - Endpoint
  - Voice
  properties:
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://developer.what3words.com/public-api/docs#autosuggest
- aid: what3words:available-languages
  name: what3words available-languages Endpoint
  description: Returns all supported what3words languages and locale variants.
  humanURL: https://developer.what3words.com/public-api/docs#available-languages
  baseURL: https://api.what3words.com/v3/available-languages
  tags:
  - Languages
  - Endpoint
  properties:
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://developer.what3words.com/public-api/docs#available-languages
- aid: what3words:grid-section
  name: what3words grid-section Endpoint
  description: Returns the what3words three-metre grid for a specified bounding box as JSON or GeoJSON, suitable for map overlays.
  humanURL: https://developer.what3words.com/public-api/docs#grid-section
  baseURL: https://api.what3words.com/v3/grid-section
  tags:
  - Grid
  - GeoJSON
  - Endpoint
  properties:
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://developer.what3words.com/public-api/docs#grid-section
- aid: what3words:javascript-sdk
  name: what3words JavaScript SDK
  description: Official JavaScript wrapper around the what3words Public API for browser and Node.js applications.
  humanURL: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-node-wrapper
  baseURL: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-node-wrapper
  tags:
  - SDK
  - JavaScript
  properties:
  - type: Repository
    url: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-node-wrapper
- aid: what3words:python-sdk
  name: what3words Python SDK
  description: Official Python wrapper around the what3words Public API.
  humanURL: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-python-wrapper
  baseURL: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-python-wrapper
  tags:
  - SDK
  - Python
  properties:
  - type: Repository
    url: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-python-wrapper
- aid: what3words:java-sdk
  name: what3words Java SDK
  description: Official Java wrapper around the what3words Public API for server-side JVM applications.
  humanURL: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-java-wrapper
  baseURL: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-java-wrapper
  tags:
  - SDK
  - Java
  properties:
  - type: Repository
    url: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-java-wrapper
- aid: what3words:php-sdk
  name: what3words PHP SDK
  description: Official PHP wrapper around the what3words Public API.
  humanURL: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-php-wrapper
  baseURL: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-php-wrapper
  tags:
  - SDK
  - PHP
  properties:
  - type: Repository
    url: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-php-wrapper
- aid: what3words:swift-sdk
  name: what3words Swift SDK
  description: Official Swift wrapper around the what3words Public API for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS applications.
  humanURL: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-swift-wrapper
  baseURL: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-swift-wrapper
  tags:
  - SDK
  - Swift
  - iOS
  properties:
  - type: Repository
    url: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-swift-wrapper
- aid: what3words:android-sdk
  name: what3words Android SDK
  description: Official Android wrapper around the what3words Public API for native Android applications.
  humanURL: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-android-wrapper
  baseURL: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-android-wrapper
  tags:
  - SDK
  - Android
  properties:
  - type: Repository
    url: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-android-wrapper
- aid: what3words:swift-components-map
  name: what3words Swift Map Components
  description: UI components for embedding what3words grids, markers, and AutoSuggest experiences in Apple Maps-based iOS
    and iPadOS applications.
  humanURL: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-swift-components
  baseURL: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-swift-components
  tags:
  - Components
  - Swift
  - Map
  properties:
  - type: Repository
    url: https://github.com/what3words/w3w-swift-components
- aid: what3words:ocr-component
  name: what3words OCR Camera Component
  description: UI component that uses the device camera to scan three-word addresses from signage, packaging, or printed materials.
  humanURL: https://github.com/what3words
  baseURL: https://github.com/what3words
  tags:
  - OCR
  - Camera
  - Component
  properties:
  - type: Repository
    url: https://github.com/what3words
- aid: what3words:api-docs-repo
  name: what3words API Docs and OpenAPI Repository
  description: Public repository hosting the OpenAPI specification, LLM files, and reference material for the what3words Public
    API.
  humanURL: https://github.com/what3words/what3words-api-docs
  baseURL: https://github.com/what3words/what3words-api-docs
  tags:
  - OpenAPI
  - Documentation
  - Open Source
  properties:
  - type: Repository
    url: https://github.com/what3words/what3words-api-docs
- aid: what3words:what3words-autosuggest-api
  name: what3words Autosuggest API
  description: The Autosuggest API from what3words — 1 operation(s) for autosuggest.
  humanURL: https://developer.what3words.com/public-api/docs
  baseURL: https://api.what3words.com/v3
  tags:
  - Autosuggest
  properties:
  - type: OpenAPI
    url: openapi/what3words-autosuggest-api-openapi.yml
- aid: what3words:what3words-available-languages-api
  name: what3words Available Languages API
  description: The Available Languages API from what3words — 1 operation(s) for available languages.
  humanURL: https://developer.what3words.com/public-api/docs
  baseURL: https://api.what3words.com/v3
  tags:
  - Available Languages
  properties:
  - type: OpenAPI
    url: openapi/what3words-available-languages-api-openapi.yml
- aid: what3words:what3words-convert-to-3wa-api
  name: what3words Convert To 3wa API
  description: The Convert To 3wa API from what3words — 1 operation(s) for convert to 3wa.
  humanURL: https://developer.what3words.com/public-api/docs
  baseURL: https://api.what3words.com/v3
  tags:
  - Convert To 3wa
  properties:
  - type: OpenAPI
    url: openapi/what3words-convert-to-3wa-api-openapi.yml
- aid: what3words:what3words-convert-to-coordinates-api
  name: what3words Convert To Coordinates API
  description: The Convert To Coordinates API from what3words — 1 operation(s) for convert to coordinates.
  humanURL: https://developer.what3words.com/public-api/docs
  baseURL: https://api.what3words.com/v3
  tags:
  - Convert To Coordinates
  properties:
  - type: OpenAPI
    url: openapi/what3words-convert-to-coordinates-api-openapi.yml
- aid: what3words:what3words-grid-section-api
  name: what3words Grid Section API
  description: The Grid Section API from what3words — 1 operation(s) for grid section.
  humanURL: https://developer.what3words.com/public-api/docs
  baseURL: https://api.what3words.com/v3
  tags:
  - Grid Section
  properties:
  - type: OpenAPI
    url: openapi/what3words-grid-section-api-openapi.yml
common:
- type: AgenticAccess
  url: agentic-access/what3words-agentic-access.yml
- type: DomainSecurity
  url: security/what3words-domain-security.yml
- type: Authentication
  url: authentication/what3words-authentication.yml
- type: LinkedIn
  url: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what3words
- type: Website
  url: https://what3words.com/
- type: Documentation
  url: https://developer.what3words.com/public-api/docs
- type: GitHub
  url: https://github.com/what3words
- type: Plans
  url: plans/what3words-plans-pricing.yml
- type: RateLimits
  url: rate-limits/what3words-rate-limits.yml
- type: FinOps
  url: finops/what3words-finops.yml
- type: Integrations
  url: https://what3words.com/business/
integrations:
- name: Mercedes-Benz
- name: Ford
- name: Subaru
- name: Lamborghini
- name: Triumph
- name: TomTom
- name: HERE
- name: Google
- name: Microsoft
maintainers:
- FN: Kin Lane
  email: kin@apievangelist.com