When the Streets Have No Names, Three Words Will Suffice

Confronting a problem that affects roughly 75 percent of the world's population, a new system will give every place on Earth an address based on three words.

2 minute read

August 16, 2016, 8:00 AM PDT

By jwilliams @jwillia22


Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Joepyrek / Flickr

A new addressing system from a British company may have finally found a solution to a problem that affects close to 4 billion people around the world—the lack of a locatable home address. In many parts of the world, including developing nations like Mongolia, streets are often unnamed. Joon Ian Wong of Quartz reports that the start-up What3Words has taken on this problem by assigning a three word address that corresponds to a nine-square-meter location on the globe.

In What3Words’ system, the idea is that a series of words is easier to remember than the strings of number that make up GPS coordinates. Each unique phrase corresponds to a specific 9-square-meter spot on the map.

For example, the White House, at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, becomes sulk.held.raves; the Tokyo Tower is located at fans.helpless.collects; and the Stade de France is at reporter.smoked.received.

Wong reports that the What3Words system is being rolled out in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar, where many of the city's streets have no name. Previously, residents were required to travel to a designated mail stop or mailed items had to include detailed delivery instructions in order to get to the right location. The Mongolian postal system will convert the three words, using software licensed from What3Words, into GPS coordinates that will take deliveries to a small, specific location. Wong notes that the What3Words system is already being used by the United Nations, courier companies and others.

Monday, June 13, 2016 in Quartz

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Yellow electric school bus with preteen students exiting.

California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses

The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.

April 25 - Associated Press

City Hall building in Austin, Texas.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund

A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

April 25 - Spectrum Local News

Brick school building with mid-sized tree on front lawn.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards

Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.

April 25 - Governing