Introduction

Service version: 2
Last edit: 2022.11.14

What is TomTom's Geocoding API?

Geocoding is the process of converting addresses (like "109 Park Row, New York, United States") into geographic coordinates ("lat": 40.71226,"lon": -74.00207).

Geocoding API - When to use? When not to use?

The TomTom Geocoding API is designed for machine-to-machine interaction: a machine sends a full query string (i.e., a full address for example, “109 Park Row, New York, United States”) and wants to have the best result. It can be also used by automated systems to geocode addresses that are incomplete, not well formatted, or with typos. The requesting machine should be able to automatically determine if the result(s) is (are) good enough.

For human-to-machine interaction, when a person is usually typing a query letter-by-letter and wants to see the results, use Fuzzy Search. It is built to return the best/correct results with the least amount of characters.

The Geocoding API consists of the following endpoints:

Geocode

Use the geocode endpoint when you just have an address or a partial address.

Geocode

Structured Geocode

Use the structured geocoding endpoint when you have data that has already been split into multiple fields such as streetNumber, streetName, city/town, and postal code.

Structured Geocode

Common use cases

  • Get the coordinates to locate the place:
    • To deliver or pickup a delivery.
    • To pick up and drop off passengers.
    • Do route planning.
  • Address verification.
  • Data cleaning.
  • Data enhancement.
  • Get boundaries, geometries.
  • Resolve address issues in user apps which are not human-to-machine interactions.

Getting started

  1. To get your API Key, you first need to be registered for the TomTom Developer Portal. If you don't have an account, no worries! Register / Sign in now before continuing.
  2. Once you are registered, go to your Dashboard and locate the API Key that you would like to use (we've created the first one for you, it's called My first API Key).
  3. Read the documentation and start coding.
  4. Consider using the TomTom Maps SDK for Web , for iOS , and for Android.
  5. Check related Blog articles for further information.