What is the Open Location Code (OLC), and what is its common name?

The Open Location Code (OLC) is a geocode system based on a grid system designed to identify any area on Earth. It was developed at Google's Zurich engineering office and released in late October 2014. The location codes generated by the OLC system are commonly referred to as Plus Codes.

What problem does the Open Location Code system aim to solve compared to traditional geographic coordinates?

The Open Location Code system provides a way to encode locations into a format that is easier to use than standard latitude and longitude coordinates. It is particularly useful in areas lacking formal addressing systems, such as street names, house numbers, and post codes, functioning similarly to street addresses.

How do Plus Codes compare to latitude and longitude in terms of usability and format?

Plus Codes are designed to be more user-friendly than latitude and longitude. They are similar in length to a telephone number but can often be shortened when combined with a locality. Locations close to each other share similar codes, and they can be encoded or decoded offline.

What are some key characteristics of the Plus Code character set and its usability?

The Plus Code character set avoids characters that look similar to reduce confusion and excludes vowels to prevent codes from accidentally spelling out words. The codes are not case-sensitive, which makes them easier to exchange verbally, such as over the phone.

When did Google Maps begin supporting Plus Codes, and where is the algorithm available?

Google Maps started supporting Plus Codes in its search engine in August 2015. The algorithm itself is licensed under the Apache License 2.0 and is available on GitHub for public use and development.

In what types of geographical areas are Plus Codes proving particularly useful for addressing?

Plus Codes are increasingly used for addressing purposes in places that are not well-served by traditional street address systems. Examples include areas with many unnamed streets, such as in Cape Verde, numerous slums in India, and some Native American reservations in the United States.

Can you provide specific examples of organizations using Plus Codes for practical applications?

Yes, the nonprofit Shelter Associates used Plus Codes in Laxmi Nagar, Pune, India, to facilitate delivery services to homes within a slum. The International Rescue Committee also employs Plus Codes in Somalia for managing immunization and family planning programs.

What is the underlying coordinate system used by the Open Location Code?

The Open Location Code system is based on latitude and longitude coordinates derived from the WGS84 (World Geodetic System 1984) standard.

How does the Open Location Code system structure its grid for encoding locations?

The OLC system divides the Earth into a grid defined by parallels and meridians. Initially, it uses large blocks of 20 by 20 degrees, which are then subdivided into smaller 20x20 subblocks up to four times. Subsequent subdivisions use a 4x5 grid within each block.

What is the role of the '+' symbol within a Plus Code?

The plus sign (+) serves as a delimiter in a Plus Code, typically appearing after eight characters. It visually separates the main part of the code, which defines a larger area, from the subsequent characters that specify finer, more localized grid divisions.

How does the length of a Plus Code relate to the precision of the location it identifies?

The precision of a Plus Code increases significantly with its length. Each additional pair of characters, or single character after the '+', refines the location down to progressively smaller areas, ranging from large geographical blocks to areas measured in millimeters.

What is the approximate area covered by a 6-digit Plus Code?

A 6-digit Plus Code represents an area of approximately 5.6 square kilometers (km). This level of precision is generally sufficient for identifying a neighborhood or a specific district within a city.

What is the precision of an 8-digit Plus Code?

An 8-digit Plus Code provides a precision of about 280 meters (m). This is accurate enough to pinpoint a specific building or a small area within a city block.

What is the precision offered by a 10-digit Plus Code?

A 10-digit Plus Code narrows down the location to an area of approximately 14 meters (m). This precision is useful for identifying specific entrances, small plots of land, or particular features.

What level of precision does an 11-digit Plus Code provide?

An 11-digit Plus Code offers a precision of about 3.5 meters by 2.8 meters (m). This is precise enough to pinpoint specific points like a doorway or a particular spot within a larger area.

What is the smallest grid size mentioned for Plus Codes, and what are its dimensions?

The smallest grid size detailed in the specification corresponds to a 15-digit code, representing an area of approximately 14 millimeters (mm) by 4 millimeters (mm). This offers extremely high precision, down to the scale of small objects.

How does the Plus Code system avoid potential confusion or errors in its character set?

The Plus Code system uses a carefully selected character set that excludes vowels (A, E, I, O, U) and characters that are easily confused (like 'I', 'L', '0', 'O'). This strategy prevents codes from accidentally forming words and reduces the risk of misreading similar-looking characters.

What base system is used for encoding Plus Codes, and how are digits mapped?

Plus Codes utilize a base-20 encoding system. The mapping translates numerical values (0-19) into specific code characters (e.g., 0 becomes '2', 10 becomes 'A', 18 becomes 'W'). This mapping is designed for clarity and error reduction.

How are latitude and longitude represented using the base-20 encoding in Plus Codes?

The encoding represents latitude and longitude by using offsets from the South Pole (-90°) and the antimeridian (-180°), respectively. These offsets are then converted into base-20 digits to form the code components.

What is the purpose of shortening Plus Codes, and how is it typically done?

Shortening Plus Codes makes them easier to use in everyday contexts. This is commonly done by omitting the first four characters of the code and appending a known locality, such as a city, state, or country (e.g., `7VP3+PR6 Singapore`).

What are the limitations associated with using shortened Plus Codes?

Shortened Plus Codes require context for unambiguous interpretation. They cannot be decoded precisely without knowing the associated locality, and disambiguation typically involves narrowing down the possibilities to within approximately 40 kilometers (km) of the referenced location.

How does the precision of a 10-digit Plus Code compare to that of a 6-digit code?

A 10-digit Plus Code offers significantly higher precision than a 6-digit code. While a 6-digit code covers about 5.6 kilometers, a 10-digit code narrows the location down to approximately 14 meters, making it suitable for identifying specific entrances or small plots.

What is the precision of a 12-digit Plus Code, and what kind of location does it typically identify?

A 12-digit Plus Code provides a precision of about 87 centimeters (cm). This level of detail is often sufficient to pinpoint specific points like a particular statue or landmark, as seen in the example of the Hachikō Memorial Statue in Tokyo.

What precision does a 13-digit Plus Code offer, and what does the example illustrate?

A 13-digit Plus Code offers a precision of approximately 22 centimeters (cm). The example provided for Ushuaia, Argentina, demonstrates this level of accuracy, though it doesn't correspond to a specific named point of interest in the table.

What is the precision of a 14-digit Plus Code, and what does the example illustrate?

A 14-digit Plus Code provides precision down to about 5 centimeters (cm). The example for Arusha, Tanzania, shows this capability, although it does not pinpoint a specific named landmark or address in the comparison table.

What is the precision of a 15-digit Plus Code, and what does the example illustrate?

A 15-digit Plus Code offers the highest precision listed, at approximately 14 millimeters (mm) by 4 millimeters (mm). The example for Jakarta, Indonesia, highlights the system's capacity for extremely fine-grained location identification.

How does the OLC system handle coordinates near the poles or the antimeridian in its grid structure?

The system uses offsets from the South Pole (-90°) and the antimeridian (-180°) as reference points for its base-20 encoding. This ensures a consistent and globally applicable grid structure, regardless of proximity to these geographical reference lines.

What is the purpose of the character mapping table within the Open Location Code specification?

The character mapping table defines the conversion between standard base-10 digits (0-19) and the specific alphanumeric characters used in Plus Codes. This mapping is essential for both encoding and decoding, ensuring consistency and adhering to the system's design principles for clarity and error reduction.

How does the subdivision process change after the initial four rounds of 20x20 division in the OLC specification?

After the initial four stages of 20x20 subdivision, which use two code characters per stage, the system shifts to a 4x5 grid for further subdivision. Each block is then divided into 20 smaller subblocks using a single code character per subdivision.

What is the function of the 'BASE20 Formula' mentioned in the specification?

The 'BASE20 Formula' provides a computational method, suitable for spreadsheets or calculators, to derive Plus Codes. It involves converting geographical degrees from specific reference points (like the South Pole or antimeridian) into base-20 representation to calculate the code components.

Explain the derivation of the first two characters ('6P') in the example Plus Code `6PH57VP3+PR6` for Merlion Park.

The first two characters, '6P', represent the initial 20°x20° grid block containing the Merlion Park location. This is determined by calculating the latitude's offset from the South Pole and the longitude's offset from the antimeridian, then converting these offsets into the corresponding base-20 characters ('6' and 'P') according to the system's mapping.

How does the Open Location Code system accommodate areas larger than what an 8-digit code represents?

For areas larger than an 8-digit code can precisely define, the system allows for padding with zeros. An even number of trailing digits before the '+' symbol can be replaced by '0', with nothing following the '+', indicating a larger, less precise area.

What is the primary advantage of using shortened Plus Codes?

Shortened Plus Codes, combined with a locality name, provide a practical and user-friendly way to address specific locations, especially where traditional addresses are absent. They can effectively serve as a substitute for house numbers within a neighborhood.

How does the precision of a 10-digit Plus Code compare to a 6-digit code?

A 10-digit Plus Code offers significantly higher precision than a 6-digit code. While a 6-digit code covers approximately 5.6 kilometers, a 10-digit code narrows the location down to about 14 meters, allowing for identification of specific entrances or small plots.

In the comparison table, what is the precision of a 12-digit Plus Code, and what does the example illustrate?

A 12-digit Plus Code provides a precision of about 87 centimeters (cm). The example shows this level of detail is sufficient to pinpoint specific locations like the Hachikō Memorial Statue in Shibuya, Tokyo.

What is the precision of a 13-digit Plus Code, and what does the example illustrate?

A 13-digit Plus Code offers a precision of approximately 22 centimeters (cm). The example provided for Ushuaia, Argentina, demonstrates this level of accuracy, though it does not correspond to a specific named landmark in the table.

What is the precision of a 14-digit Plus Code, and what does the example illustrate?

A 14-digit Plus Code provides precision down to about 5 centimeters (cm). The example for Arusha, Tanzania, illustrates this capability, though it does not pinpoint a specific named landmark or address in the comparison table.

What is the precision of a 15-digit Plus Code, and what does the example illustrate?

A 15-digit Plus Code offers the highest precision listed, at approximately 14 millimeters (mm) by 4 millimeters (mm). The example for Jakarta, Indonesia, highlights the system's capacity for extremely fine-grained location identification.

What is the purpose of the Navbox section titled 'Geocode systems'?

The Navbox section serves as a navigational tool, providing a categorized list of various geocoding systems. It includes administrative codes, airport codes, country codes, geodesic place codes (like Open Location Code), postal codes, telephony codes, and amateur radio locators, linking to related concepts.

What is the relationship between Plus Codes and traditional street addresses, according to the source?

Plus Codes are presented as an alternative or supplement to traditional street addresses, particularly valuable in areas lacking formal systems. They can function similarly to street addresses and, in their shortened form, can be used in lieu of a house number within a neighborhood.

What does the term 'geocode' signify in the context of Open Location Codes?

In the context of Open Location Codes, a 'geocode' refers to a standardized system for encoding geographic coordinates. OLC is specifically a geocode that uses a regular grid system to identify areas anywhere on Earth.

How does the Plus Code system ensure that codes representing nearby locations are similar?

The hierarchical grid structure of the Plus Code system ensures that locations geographically close to each other will have codes that share common prefixes. This similarity in codes reflects their proximity on the Earth's surface.

What is the significance of the WGS84 coordinate system in the Open Location Code specification?

The Open Location Code system relies entirely on latitude and longitude values defined by the WGS84 coordinate system. This provides a globally consistent and accurate reference framework necessary for generating the codes.

How does the OLC system facilitate easy exchange of codes over the phone?

Plus Codes are designed to be not case-sensitive. This feature simplifies communication over the phone, as users do not need to worry about distinguishing between uppercase and lowercase letters when relaying a code, reducing potential errors.

What role does the 'southwest corner' play in defining a grid block within the OLC system?

Each grid block in the Open Location Code system is defined by its boundaries (parallels and meridians). The code essentially represents the southwest corner of a specific block along with its size, providing a systematic method for referencing any given area on the grid.

What information does the 'Real size' row in the 'Block sizes of Plus Codes' table convey?

The 'Real size' row translates the angular measurements of the grid blocks (degrees, minutes, seconds) into practical, real-world dimensions such as kilometers, meters, centimeters, and millimeters. This helps users understand the actual physical area represented by different code lengths.

How does the OLC system prevent generated codes from accidentally forming recognizable words?

The OLC system employs a strategy of excluding vowels and easily confused characters from its character set. This significantly reduces the probability that a generated code will coincidentally spell out a word, thereby preventing potential awkwardness or misinterpretation.

What is the functional difference between the 'Base 20 digit' and the 'Code digit' shown in the mapping table?

The 'Base 20 digit' represents the numerical value in a base-20 system (0 through 19), while the 'Code digit' is the specific alphanumeric character used in the Plus Code that corresponds to that numerical value. For example, base-20 digit '10' maps to code digit 'A'.

Open Location Code Wiki: Navigating the Globe: The Precision of Open Location Codes

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

When you are ready...
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮

What is Open Location Code?

A Grid-Based Geocoding System

The Open Location Code (OLC), commonly referred to as Plus Codes, is a sophisticated geocoding system. It utilizes a grid-based approach to identify specific areas anywhere on Earth. Developed at Google's engineering office in Zurich, it was publicly released in late 2014.

Simplifying Coordinates

OLC provides a more user-friendly alternative to traditional latitude and longitude coordinates. It encodes geographic locations into short, alphanumeric strings that are easier to communicate and use, particularly in regions lacking formal street names, building numbers, or postal codes.

Universal and Offline

Plus Codes are derived directly from latitude and longitude, meaning they exist for every point on the planet. They are designed for offline use, enabling encoding and decoding without an internet connection. Locations that are geographically close share similar codes, facilitating intuitive understanding.

Real-World Applications

Addressing Underserved Areas

Plus Codes are increasingly vital for providing addresses in areas where traditional systems are insufficient. This includes:

Unmapped streets in Cape Verde.
Numerous informal settlements and slums across India.
Certain Native American reservations in the United States.

Humanitarian and Development Use

Organizations leverage Plus Codes for critical services. For instance, the International Rescue Committee utilizes them in Somalia for essential programs like immunization and family planning, ensuring aid reaches intended recipients effectively.

Integration with Mapping Services

Since August 2015, Google Maps has integrated support for Plus Codes. Users can search for, copy, and transcribe these codes, which can then be used to pinpoint locations on the map, often supplemented by a city or locality name for clarity.

System Specification

Coordinate System Foundation

The Open Location Code system is fundamentally based on latitude and longitude coordinates adhering to the WGS84 standard. It defines locations by dividing the Earth into a series of nested grids.

Hierarchical Grid Subdivision

The system employs a hierarchical subdivision process. The largest grid blocks measure 20x20 degrees. These are progressively divided into smaller sub-blocks up to four times, using pairs of characters for each subdivision. This ensures increasing precision as the code lengthens.

Adapting to Earth's Curvature

While subdivisions are consistently 20x20 in terms of degrees, the actual meter-based dimensions of these blocks vary with latitude. Near the equator, blocks are square in both degrees and meters. At higher latitudes, blocks remain square in degrees but become taller than they are wide in meters, maintaining a consistent area representation.

Encoding Methodology

Character Set and Structure

To minimize confusion and errors, the OLC character set excludes vowels and characters that are easily mistaken for one another. Codes are not case-sensitive. A full code typically consists of pairs of characters representing latitude and longitude. A '+' symbol is inserted after the first eight characters (four pairs) to act as a visual delimiter, aiding readability.

The system uses a base-20 representation, mapping digits 0-9 and specific letters to avoid ambiguity and vowels.

Mapping of Plus Codes
Base 10 digit	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19
Base 20 digit	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J
Code digit	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	C	F	G	H	J	M	P	Q	R	V	W	X

Precision Through Subdivision

Each pair of characters refines the location. The initial pairs define progressively smaller areas. After the initial pairs, further subdivisions use a single character to divide a block into a 4x5 grid, allowing for very fine-grained precision.

This grid represents how a sub-block is divided using a single code digit, indicating the position within a 4x5 matrix.

Division of subblocks in Plus Codes
	longitude →
latitude →	R	V	W	X
	J	M	P	Q
	C	F	G	H
	6	7	8	9
	2	3	4	5

Block Size Progression

The precision increases with code length. A 2-character code covers a vast 20°x20° area, while codes with 10 or more characters can pinpoint locations down to centimeters.

Block sizes of Plus Codes
Code length	2	4	6	8	+	10	11	12	13	14	15
Block size (approx. near equator)	2,200 km	110 km	5.6 km	280 m		14 m	3.5 m × 2.8 m	0.8 m × 0.5 m	20 cm × 10 cm	5 cm × 2 cm	14 mm × 4 mm

Illustrative Example

Pinpointing the Merlion Park

Let's trace the encoding for the Merlion Park in Singapore (Latitude 1.286785° N, Longitude 103.854503° E).

The process involves converting degrees to a base-20 system and applying offsets.

Initial Grid (2 characters): The location falls within the grid defined by -10° to +10° Latitude and 100° to 120° Longitude. Offsets from the South Pole (-90°) and Antimeridian (-180°) are calculated. For Latitude 1.286785° N, the offset from the South Pole is 91.286785°. Divided by 20° blocks, this yields a base-20 value that translates to the OLC digits '6'. For Longitude 103.854503° E, the offset from the Antimeridian is 283.854503°. Divided by 20° blocks, this yields 'P'. The first part of the code is 6P.
Further Refinement (4 characters): The grid is subdivided. Adding 11° to the Latitude offset and 3° to the Longitude offset refines the position. This adds base-20 digits 'H' (for Latitude) and '5' (for Longitude). The code becomes 6PH5.
Increased Precision (6+ characters): Subsequent subdivisions continue this process. Four more refinements lead to the full code for Merlion Park: 6PH57VP3+PR.
Final Subdivision (11th character): The final character, '6', indicates the specific cell within the last 4x5 grid subdivision.

The complete Plus Code is 6PH57VP3+PR6.

Shortening Codes

Context is Key

For convenience, the first four characters (representing larger areas) can often be omitted. This shortened code requires context, typically a city, town, or region, to be unambiguous. For example, the Merlion Park code could be shortened to 7VP3+PR6 Singapore.

Disambiguation

While shortened codes are practical, they rely on a geocoding database or user knowledge to narrow down the location to within approximately 40 km. This ensures the intended location is correctly identified when the shortened code is used with its contextual reference.

Comparison with Other Systems

Precision and Usability

Plus Codes offer a compelling balance between precision and ease of use, especially compared to raw latitude and longitude or traditional street addresses in areas where they are lacking.

Comparison of Location Identifiers
Example	Plus Codes	Valid Digits	Shortened Codes (with context)	Precision (approx.)	Point of Interest	Street Address	Centroid Lat/Long
1	`87C4VXQ7+QV`	10	`VXQ7+QV`, Washington, D.C., USA	14 m	Washington Monument	2 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20024, United States	38.889437, −77.035313
2	`9C3XGV3C+8X`	10	`GV3C+8X`, London, United Kingdom	14 m	10 Downing Street	10 Downing St, London SW1A 2AA, United Kingdom	51.503312, −0.127562
3	`7GHXG559+4VQ`	11	`G559+4VQ`, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia	3.5 m	Jeddah Flagpole	King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Square, Al-Baghdadiyah Al-Gharbiyah, Jeddah 22231, Saudi Arabia	21.507813, 39.169688
5	`8FWMQRCQ+JRV`	11	`QRCQ+JRV`, Schwarzenberg am Böhmerwald, Austria	0.8 m × 0.5 m	Tri-Border Czechia/Austria/Germany	Tri-Border, 4164 Schwarzenberg am Böhmerwald, Austria	48.771613, 13.839547
8	`6P58QRJ3+H25FGFG`	15	`QRJ3+H25FGFG`, Jakarta, Indonesia	14 mm	—	—	−6.21861250, 106.80260626

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Edit and Print Materials from this study in the wiki2web studio

Click here to open the "Open Location Code" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit

Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Learn about open_location_code while playing the wiki2web Clarity Challenge game.

Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!

Play now

Explore More Topics

Discover other topics to study!

jard í bot ànic de barcelona

pet ř ín

tube bar prank calls

list of current united states governors

fremont county colorado

university of wisconsin press

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Open Location Code Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data and may not be exhaustive or entirely up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided herein is not a substitute for professional consultation regarding geographic data, mapping, or software development. Always refer to official documentation and consult with qualified experts for specific applications.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided.

Navigating the Globe

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

What is Open Location Code? ℹ️

📍 A Grid-Based Geocoding System

🔢 Simplifying Coordinates

🔗 Universal and Offline

Real-World Applications 🌍

🏠 Addressing Underserved Areas

🤝 Humanitarian and Development Use

🗺️ Integration with Mapping Services

System Specification ⚙️

🌐 Coordinate System Foundation

▦ Hierarchical Grid Subdivision

📏 Adapting to Earth's Curvature

Encoding Methodology 🏷️

🔠 Character Set and Structure

📐 Precision Through Subdivision

📏 Block Size Progression

Illustrative Example 💡

🌟 Pinpointing the Merlion Park

Shortening Codes ✂️

➡️ Context is Key

❓ Disambiguation

Comparison with Other Systems ⚖️

📊 Precision and Usability

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

True or False? 🤔

❓ Test Your Knowledge! ❓

Gamer's Corner 🎮

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Explore More Topics

📜 Discover other topics to study!

References

📜 References

Feedback & Support 👍

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

What is Open Location Code?

A Grid-Based Geocoding System

Simplifying Coordinates

Universal and Offline

Real-World Applications

Addressing Underserved Areas

Humanitarian and Development Use

Integration with Mapping Services

System Specification

Coordinate System Foundation

Hierarchical Grid Subdivision

Adapting to Earth's Curvature

Encoding Methodology

Character Set and Structure

Precision Through Subdivision

Block Size Progression

Illustrative Example

Pinpointing the Merlion Park

Shortening Codes

Context is Key

Disambiguation

Comparison with Other Systems

Precision and Usability

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice