Accurate geocoding
Perform accurate geocoding and reverse geocoding with our secure, scalable, and resilient address look-up web service.
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.
This product is updated daily
What OS Places API provides you with
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.
Enhanced data management
Edit partial details of residential and commercial properties in your own databases and add unique references to your properties for enhanced data management. 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.
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
- Coverage
- United Kingdom, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey
- Scale
- 1:1 250 to 1:10 000
- Format
- geoJSON
- XML
- OS Data Hub plan
- Public Sector Plan
- Premium Plan
Documents and Support
Technical documentation
- OS Places API technical documentationVisit docs.os.uk to access all technical documentation for this product, including overview, technical specification, and getting started guide.
Additional information
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
Get this product
What you get
- Key features
- Accurate geocoding
- Complete addresses
- Instant answers
- Capture and verify data
- GeoSearch services
- Enhanced data management
- Category
- Addressing and location
- Access
- API
- Data structure
- Vector
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
Get help
Further support
For further help about how our data can transform your organisation, contact us today
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