OS Places API

With OS Places API you have direct access to rich address data for geocoding, postcode searching, form-filling and much more. Find UK addresses instantly online and be confident you're getting the most up-to-date information.

  • Addressing and location
  • API
  • Public Sector Plan
  • Premium Plan
  • Energy & Infrastructure Plan

This product is updated daily

Representation of data provided
Representation of data provided

What OS Places API provides you with

Accurate geocoding

Perform accurate geocoding and reverse geocoding with our secure, scalable, and resilient address look-up web service.

Complete addresses

Search by postcode, UPRN, full or partial address and ensure you get the right address first time. Keep your records accurate to provide effective citizen services.

Instant answers

When an incident happens, control room staff need to know which properties are closest. The OS Places API GeoSearch tool gives instant answers. This helps create the common operating picture that’s vital for emergency services.

Capture and verify data

Improve efficiency – use OS Places API to verify the data you’re capturing against Ordnance Survey’s AddressBase® Premium and AddressBase Premium Islands dataset.

GeoSearch services

Make sure OS Places is driving your applications, and users will have access to some of the most sophisticated online GeoSearch services, such as drawing their own bounding boxes or defining a specific radius search area.

7 Endpoints

OS Places API has 7 endpoints, each giving you a different way to find addresses.

OS Places API

Technical information

Specifications

Use cases

With OS Places API you can:

  • Find a specific address accurately in the United Kingdom, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey
  • Find all addresses within a defined area
  • Obtain the UPRN for addresses
  • Geocode addresses (add the location element) and reverse geocode an address from its location
  • Search both Royal Mail and Local Authority address datasets.
Access
  • API
Data theme
  • Address
Data structure
Vector - Points
Coverage
Great Britain
Scale
1:1250 to 1:10,000
Format
  • JSON and XML
OS Data Hub plan
  • Public Sector Plan
  • Premium Plan
  • Energy & Infrastructure Plan

Documents and Support

Getting started guides

  • OS Places API - Getting started guide
    The getting started guide provides instructions for using the product in different software applications. Users with limited technical knowledge will be able to follow this guide.
    link

Technical specification

Supporting documents

  • OS Places API - Overview
    The overview introduces the product and gives context for all users. It highlights key features, provides examples of potential uses for the product and lists details like file sizes, supply formats, etc.
    link

Additional information

Edit details

Edit out-of-date (or partial) details of residential and commercial properties in your own databases and add unique references to your properties, via the UPRN, for enhanced data management.

With OS Places API you can add intuitive address search (geocoding) capabilities to your applications. Let a user search a full or partial address, a postcode or a UPRN and find the complete address including its location.

General area requirements

OS Places API won’t find general areas (such as ‘forest’). For this requirement we recommend you use OS Names API.

OS Places API

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What you get

Key features
  • Accurate geocoding
  • Complete addresses
  • Instant answers
  • Capture and verify data
  • GeoSearch services
  • 7 Endpoints
Category
Addressing and location
Access
  • API
Data structure
Vector - Points
Update frequency
Daily

How to access

Businesses

Ordnance Survey's commercial network of Partners can help you with bespoke location solutions, derived from OS data

Ranging from global giants to single entrepreneurs, our Partners all use our location data to create innovative products and services. Their expertise ensures customers can benefit from using our data for a range of services. Find a partner for addressing and location mapping requirements.

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Developers

Ready to get started with our data and APIs?

Choose your plan and create your account. Take the next step by signing up to the OS Data Hub and create your first project today.

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Our Partners

Download Premium data from the OS Data Hub

If you're an OS Licensed Partner you can use the OS Data Hub to access OS data products and manage your account all in one place.

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Government and public sector

OS Data Hub for PSGA members

If your organisation is a member of the Public Sector Geospatial Agreement, access the OS Data Hub to access our products.

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Utilities and Telecoms

OS Connect support

Our Ordnance Survey Account Managers have specialist knowledge of projects for utilities and telecoms customers and should be your first point of contact for product enquiries.

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Further support

For further help about how our data can transform your organisation, contact us today

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