what3words: Navigation & Maps

I find what3words: Navigation & Maps most useful as a precise way to describe a place, not as a replacement for every map or navigation app. Its central idea is memorable: each small square of the world gets a unique three-word address, giving people a compact way to point to a spot that may not have a conventional street address. That can make a real difference when “I’m by the entrance” is too vague, though it works best when everyone involved can use the same system and double-checks the destination before setting off.

When an exact spot matters more than a street address

For an ordinary trip across town, I would still reach for a familiar map first. Those apps are built around routes, street names, landmarks, and live movement. What3words solves a narrower problem: communicating a precise location, especially when the place is difficult to name in a conventional way. I see it as a useful companion to navigation rather than a wholesale substitute.

A simple idea with practical value

Imagine trying to find your friends at a sprawling music festival or direct an Uber driver to the precise spot you’re standing. With traditional addresses sometimes failing us, what3words comes to the rescue by providing a simple three-word address for every single spot on the planet. I mean, who knew technology could be this cool?

The distinction matters in everyday use. A street address may lead someone to a large building, park, or venue, but still leave them guessing which entrance or meeting point you mean. A three-word location can be a more exact reference for that final handoff. I would share it alongside a recognizable landmark or a short written description when confusion would be costly; the words are precise, but a second clue helps another person confirm they are heading to the right place.

Finding and sharing a location

The app’s interface is refreshingly straightforward. You simply open the app, and it uses your phone’s GPS to pinpoint your location. Instantly, you’re given three words that uniquely describe your exact spot. Need to share your location? Just send those three words to anyone, anywhere. Easy peasy!

In practice, I would treat the displayed location as a starting point for a quick check, not as a reason to skip common sense. GPS can be less dependable around tall buildings, indoors, or wherever the phone has trouble getting a clear position. If the pin appears to land on the wrong side of a road or building, I would adjust or verify the intended spot before sharing. This small pause is especially worthwhile when someone is arriving by car, since a precise destination still needs to be reachable and safe to stop at.

Where it earns a place in your routine

The potential uses for what3words are endless. Emergency services, delivery drivers, and even travelers can benefit immensely. No more fumbling around with coordinates or vague address descriptions. Whether you’re hiking in the wilderness or navigating the crowded streets of a bustling city, this app has got your back.

A realistic example is meeting a friend at a busy outdoor event. Instead of repeatedly texting “near the food stalls,” I could send the three words for a clear meeting point, then agree on a visible landmark nearby. The same approach can help someone direct a visitor to a particular gate or a pickup point in a large venue. For a walk in an unfamiliar area, I would share the chosen location before setting out, rather than waiting until I have poor reception or need to explain my position in a hurry.

There is a useful habit here: share a destination, not just wherever you happen to be standing. If a person needs to reach a trail entrance, loading area, or accessible entrance, the best three-word address is the one for that intended arrival point. I would check that the selected spot corresponds to a place someone can actually approach, and include any instructions the words cannot convey, such as which side of a building to use.

What it does better—and what it doesn’t

Compared with sharing a dropped pin in a standard map, three words can be easier to say aloud and remember for a short exchange. Compared with a street address, they can identify a spot where no formal address is useful. Coordinates can also be exact, but they are less friendly to read out or type from memory. The trade-off is that the recipient needs to understand what3words and enter the words correctly; a familiar map pin may be simpler when both people already use the same mapping service.

I would not rely on the three-word format alone for urgent directions, nor assume that it explains the route. It identifies a location; it does not tell someone which path is open, whether a road is suitable for their vehicle, or how to get around a barrier. For route planning, traffic-aware directions, and exploring nearby streets, a conventional navigation app remains the better tool. For sharing the exact point at the end of that route, what3words can fill a gap those apps often leave.

Another small but important trade-off is verbal accuracy. Three ordinary words are easier to communicate than a long coordinate string, but they can still be misheard, mistyped, or confused if someone is rushing. I would send the words in a message where possible, read them back when sharing them by phone, and ask the other person to confirm the place they see before travelling. That extra check is not a flaw in the concept; it is a sensible safeguard whenever a location depends on a short code.

Who is likely to find it worthwhile?

I think this app is a good fit for people who often arrange meetups in large, open, or confusing places; people who travel to locations without clear postal addresses; and anyone who needs a concise way to communicate a specific point. It can also be handy for people coordinating a pickup or describing where to meet outdoors, as long as they choose a safe, accessible spot and provide context when needed.

It is less compelling if your day-to-day navigation already revolves around named streets and familiar addresses, or if the people you share locations with prefer not to install or use another location tool. In those situations, a map pin, an address, or a well-known landmark may take less explanation. I would also avoid treating it as a substitute for preparation on a remote trip: save the information you need ahead of time, plan your route with an appropriate navigation tool, and do not assume a location-sharing format solves connectivity or access problems.

Everyday ease and sensible expectations

Using what3words feels like having a secret superpower. The app is intuitive, with a clean design that doesn’t overwhelm. It’s available on both Android and iOS, making it accessible to pretty much everyone. Plus, it’s free! Who doesn’t love a free app that actually delivers on its promises?

The app is developed by what3words and sits in the maps and navigation category. It has an average rating of 3.9 from around 46,000 ratings, and more than 10 million installs. It is rated for Everyone, is free to download, and offers in-app purchases from about $4.69 to $39.99 per item. Those figures suggest it has reached a broad audience, but they do not change my practical advice: the value depends on whether you regularly need to describe a location more precisely than an address or landmark can.

It has been available since June 11, 2013, and the listed minimum operating-system requirement is 7.1. I would still check compatibility on the device I plan to use, particularly if it is older, before relying on the app for a trip. The key question is not whether everyone needs another map tool, but whether the people in your life would find three words easier than a pin, a coordinate, or a long explanation.

A tool with a clear role

In a world where precision is key, what3words: Navigation & Maps stands out as a revolutionary tool. It’s not just an app; it’s a solution to a problem we didn’t even realize we had. So, the next time you’re planning an adventure or simply trying to meet up with a friend, give what3words a shot. You might just find yourself wondering how you ever lived without it!

My verdict is more measured: I recommend it when the challenge is expressing exactly where to meet, not when the challenge is choosing the best route. It is particularly handy for event rendezvous, awkward entrances, and places where a conventional address points to too broad an area. I would pair it with a landmark, verify the words with the recipient, and keep a regular navigation app for the journey itself. If that division of labor suits your needs, this is a focused and approachable tool worth trying; if you mainly need turn-by-turn directions to familiar addresses, your usual map app is probably enough.