---
title: "Convert to coordinates"
method: GET
path: "/convert-to-coordinates"
tags: ["what3words API"]
---

# Convert to coordinates

`GET /convert-to-coordinates`

## Request

- Base URL: `https://api.what3words.com/v3`
- URL: `https://api.what3words.com/v3/convert-to-coordinates`
- Auth: one of:
  - API key in query parameter `key`
  - API key in header `X-Api-Key`

This function converts a what3words address to a latitude and longitude. It also returns country, the bounds of the grid square, a nearest place (such as a local town) and a link to our map site.

## Query parameters

- `key` string
- `words` string, required
- `format` 'json' | 'geojson'

## Response `200`

Successful conversion to coordinates

- ConvertToCoordinatesResponse
  - `country` string: The country in which the what3words address is located, as an ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code
  - `square` Square
    - `southwest` Coordinates
      - `lat` number, double: Latitude
      - `lng` number, double: Longitude
    - `northeast` Coordinates
      - `lat` number, double: Latitude
      - `lng` number, double: Longitude
  - `nearestPlace` string: The nearest place to the what3words address
  - `coordinates` Coordinates
    - `lat` number, double: Latitude
    - `lng` number, double: Longitude
  - `words` string: The what3words address
  - `language` string: The language of the what3words address
  - `locale` string: The locale of the what3words address, if returned
  - `map` string: URL to view the what3words address on the what3words map

## Other responses

- `400`: Bad request
- `401`: Unauthorized - Invalid API key

## Changes

- **2026-03-04** `89db2437e8b6`: 11 warning, 4 info
  - deleted the `query` request parameter `locale`
  - added the new `BadInput` enum value to the `error/code` response property for the response status `400`
  - added the new `BadInput` enum value to the `error/code` response property for the response status `401`
  - added the new `BadNFocusResults` enum value to the `error/code` response property for the response status `400`
  - …11 more

[Operation history](https://skmtc.dev/what3words/apis/what3words-api/changes/convert-to-coordinates/get.md)

---

[API](https://skmtc.dev/what3words/apis/what3words-api.md) - [All operations](https://skmtc.dev/what3words/apis/what3words-api/llms.txt) - [OpenAPI document](https://skmtc.dev/what3words/apis/what3words-api/revisions/2f8f54251ad7?raw)