Frequently Asked Questions
What1Word gives every 3m×3m square on the planet a unique address, using our proprietary one-word geocoding system. Below, we answer the questions people ask us most.
Why only one word, when What3Words uses three?
Efficiency. Three words is needlessly complicated. We looked at the problem, asked what the simplest possible solution was, and arrived at one. Some say precision suffers. We say: you already know where you are. You're in America. You're welcome.
Is this accurate?
Every square resolves to exactly the correct word, every time, with 100% consistency. No other geocoding system on Earth can make that claim.
What happens at the poles?
America. As it turns out, the poles are also squares, and the same rule applies uniformly across all squares. We did not make a special case for the poles, because we did not need to.
I searched for my house and it also says America. Is that a bug?
No. That is the product.
What does the "Other" language option actually do?
Nothing gets translated, because nothing needs to be. Our research shows that every language on Earth is just English spoken quietly. Selecting "Other" doesn't change a single word on this site - it just says the same words BACK TO YOU IN CAPITAL LETTERS, AT VOLUME, UNTIL UNDERSTANDING OCCURS. If you're still confused after that, that's a you problem.
Couldn't you have picked a less confusing scheme?
We could have. We considered several. In the end we decided that if a scheme is going to be confusing regardless, it might as well be confusing on purpose, and say so proudly in a press release.
Is What1Word affiliated with What3Words?
No. This is an independent, unaffiliated parody made for laughs. It is not a real location service and should not be used to find anyone in an emergency, on a boat, or anywhere else where precision matters even slightly.