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Free API Today

Free APIs for maps and places

9 of 9 APIs in this set passed their last check, all without a key. You can build address search, a store locator or a trip planner on open data. The trade-off is that the free public servers are shared, so each has a fair-use policy that you need to respect.
  1. Photon

    Search-as-you-type place lookup.

    photon.komoot.io

    Runs in the browserWorking

  2. Nominatim (OpenStreetMap)

    The reference OpenStreetMap geocoder, forward and reverse.

    nominatim.openstreetmap.org

    Runs in the browserWorking

  3. Open-Meteo Geocoding

    City search with timezone and population in the answer.

    geocoding-api.open-meteo.com

    Runs in the browserWorking

  4. BigDataCloud Reverse Geocoding

    Reverse geocoding designed for client-side calls.

    api.bigdatacloud.net

    Runs in the browserWorking

  5. OSRM demo server

    Driving route, distance and duration between points.

    router.project-osrm.org

    Runs in the browserWorking

  6. Open-Meteo Elevation

    Elevation for a list of coordinates.

    api.open-meteo.com

    Runs in the browserWorking

  7. Zippopotam.us

    Postal code to place for many countries.

    api.zippopotam.us

    Runs in the browserWorking

  8. Postcodes.io

    UK postcodes with administrative areas.

    api.postcodes.io

    Runs in the browserWorking

  9. Flagpedia flag CDN

    Flags by country code for the result list.

    flagcdn.com

    Runs in the browserWorking

Build snapshot, not live. One verifier run on , from the machine that built this site. How we check

How the pieces fit

  1. Debounce the search box: wait until the user stops typing for 300 ms before calling the geocoder.
  2. Store the coordinates you get back; do not geocode the same address twice.
  3. Credit OpenStreetMap contributors wherever you show results from Nominatim, Photon or OSRM.

Questions

Can I use Nominatim for autocomplete?

No. Its usage policy forbids autocomplete on the public server. Use Photon, which is built for search-as-you-type.

Is there a free alternative to the Google Geocoding API?

For moderate volumes, yes: Nominatim, Photon and Open-Meteo Geocoding need no key. For heavy use, host Nominatim or Photon yourself; both are open source.

Other collections

Keep exploring