what3words: Navigation & Maps icon
what3words: Navigation & Maps App Review

by what3words Ltd.

4.8
IOSNavigation
what3words revolutionizes location sharing by assigning unique three-word combinations to every 10-foot square worldwide. The app enables precise navigation and meet-up coordination for travelers, delivery services, and emergency responders.

Detailed Review

what3words presents a fundamentally different approach to global addressing by dividing the world into 57 trillion 3-meter squares, each with a unique three-word identifier. This system eliminates ambiguity in location sharing, particularly valuable in areas lacking formal addressing systems or where traditional coordinates prove cumbersome for everyday use. The app's core functionality centers on converting between geographic coordinates and memorable word combinations, creating what the developers term 'a universal address system.' The application offers robust navigation features including turn-by-turn directions through integration with Apple Maps and other navigation services. Users can save favorite locations, share addresses via multiple platforms (including messaging apps and social media), and use the compass view for precise on-foot navigation. The offline maps capability ensures functionality in areas with poor connectivity, while the recent addition of voice command support allows for hands-free operation during navigation scenarios. User experience demonstrates particular strength in cross-language communication scenarios, as evidenced by traveler ishii106's July 2025 review describing its utility for coordinating meet-ups with English speakers in Japan. The interface maintains simplicity with a clean design that prioritizes the three-word input field, while providing quick access to saved locations and sharing options. Real-world usage patterns show particularly strong adoption among international travelers, emergency services coordinating response efforts, and delivery services navigating to precise locations in areas with inadequate addressing systems. User feedback consistently highlights the app's precision and ease of use, with STS1673 noting in May 2025 how quickly groups adopt the system once introduced. Timothy VII's review emphasizes the value of specifying exact meeting spots, while Roberto Incognito's July 2025 comment reflects the transformative impact many users report. The 4.78-star rating across thousands of reviews indicates strong user satisfaction, though some technical reviews note occasional synchronization issues between the word database and mapping data. The system's primary strength lies in its global standardization and memorability compared to coordinate systems, though limitations include dependency on the proprietary word database and the learning curve for new users. Ideal use cases include emergency location sharing, rural property navigation, event coordination at large venues, and precise delivery location specification. The app performs exceptionally well in scenarios requiring exact location communication across language barriers or in areas with poor addressing infrastructure.

Key Features

  • Three-word addressing system that assigns unique combinations to every 3m square worldwide, eliminating location ambiguity
  • Offline map functionality allowing navigation and address lookup without internet connectivity in remote areas
  • Seamless integration with native navigation apps providing turn-by-turn directions to precise three-word locations
  • Location sharing through multiple platforms including messaging, email and social media with one-tap functionality
  • Saved locations feature with custom labeling for frequently visited spots like parking spaces or meeting points
  • Compass navigation mode providing visual guidance to specific coordinates when approaching destinations on foot

Why Users Love It

Global precision addressing
Cross-language functionality

Perfect for: Travelers, emergency services, delivery drivers, and outdoor enthusiasts requiring precise location sharing

Ranking History

Track what3words: Navigation & Maps's performance in Navigation over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#49

Best Rank

#30

All-time high

Average Rank

#40

30-day average

User Reviews

Sculptor for Fun
Apr 11, 2025

Last night, I attended one of the six international book launch of “Stories Of Place: ///Zinc.Level.Blindfold. Edited by Niamh McAnally”. This book of incredible short stories by nine different authors on three continents incorporates the concept of W3W into “Stories Of Place”, already the winner of a Literary Titan Award. The book takes W3W to pop culture and shows how wonderful creative synergy can influence every aspect of life. “Where did this story take place?” How did the location influence the tone & style of writing?” “What other imaginative vehicles for W3W will come into popular use. While I’ve just recently learned about W3W, I’m excited about the app and all of its interesting potential uses across a wide variety of outlets. “Stories Of Place” just happens to be the first one I’ve come across. A Book Connection to W3W Last night, I attended one of the six international book launch of “Stories Of Place: ///Zinc.Level.Blindfold. Edited by Niamh McAnally”.This book of incredible short stories by nine different authors on three continents incorporates the concept of W3W into “Stories Of Place”, already the winner of a Literary Titan Award. The book takes W3W to pop culture and shows how wonderful creative synergy can influence every aspect of life. “Where did this story take place?” How did the location influence the tone & style of writing?” “What other imaginative vehicles for W3W will come into popular use. While I’ve just recently learned about W3W, I’m excited about the app and all of its interesting potential uses across a wide variety of outlets. “Stories Of Place”just happens to be the first one I’ve come across.

WJKoker
Oct 27, 2024

I literally just downloaded this app like 3 minutes ago and I just started exploring and I’m already amazed I bet this could save you life. So cool. Wow I literally just downloaded this app like 3 minutes ago and I just started exploring and I’m already amazed I bet this could save you life. So cool.

Craigry56
Oct 21, 2024

Very easy and accurate It could be crucial if emergency services are needed What three Words Very easy and accurate It could be crucial if emergency services are needed

Timothy VII
May 10, 2025

you have the ability to tell someone to go to a VERY specific meeting spot…thank you for creating this! I LOVE IT!!!! you have the ability to tell someone to go to a VERY specific meeting spot…thank you for creating this!

svdubl
Aug 24, 2024

This is one of the most brilliant ideas for application ever (easy to remember and to share three words address with navigation without internet) and implemented nicely. 🫶 Brilliant app This is one of the most brilliant ideas for application ever (easy to remember and to share three words address with navigation without internet) and implemented nicely. 🫶

App Details

Developer

what3words Ltd.

Platform

ios

Rating

4.8

Last Updated

10/21/2025