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

#46

Best Rank

#32

All-time high

Average Rank

#39

30-day average

User Reviews

donutchris
Sep 19, 2025

The precision this app offers has been a huge help with my job managing campground space at a music festival! Using the compass, I’ve been able to escort people to open spaces with very little trouble after having saved the locations from my scouting. I wish I could give this app more than 5 stars! Obsessed! The precision this app offers has been a huge help with my job managing campground space at a music festival! Using the compass, I’ve been able to escort people to open spaces with very little trouble after having saved the locations from my scouting. I wish I could give this app more than 5 stars!

Bill Conable
Aug 8, 2025

Like @Trista K. I find that the app won’t open on either my iPad or my iPhone. Useless. Support contacted me. Suggested deleting and reinstalling app. Now it works as expected. Does not work Like @Trista K. I find that the app won’t open on either my iPad or my iPhone. Useless. Support contacted me. Suggested deleting and reinstalling app. Now it works as expected.

🤘🏼🥷🏻Ryan😎🤙🏼
Jun 30, 2025

connad.land.fashion I would be interested in examples of when best to use this tracking method. Maybe have everyone give scenarios where this method can be applied and understood. 🌴🏠🍍 Sweet Home 🥹🤣🤪🤓😝☺️🌊🏄‍♂️ connad.land.fashionI would be interested in examples of when best to use this tracking method. Maybe have everyone give scenarios where this method can be applied and understood.

STS1673
May 21, 2025

The app is FANTASTIC when you get your family, friends or work groups on it. It takes NO time to have people get the app and learn how easy to use and functional it is. Invest In This Company… The app is FANTASTIC when you get your family, friends or work groups on it. It takes NO time to have people get the app and learn how easy to use and functional it is.

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!

App Details

Developer

what3words Ltd.

Platform

ios

Rating

4.8

Last Updated

9/7/2025