Best Free Geocoding APIsfor Developers in 2026
Convert addresses to coordinates, reverse-geocode locations, and add address autocomplete to your app — all using free geocoding APIs with no credit card required.
All Free Geocoding & Maps APIs
BigDataCloud
Provides fast and accurate IP geolocation APIs along with security checks and confidence area
Geoapify
Forward and reverse geocoding, address autocomplete
Geocode.xyz
Provides worldwide forward/reverse geocoding, batch geocoding and geoparsing
GeoNames
Place names and other geographical data
HERE Maps
Create/customize digital maps based on HERE Maps data
LocationIQ
Provides forward/reverse geocoding and batch geocoding
Mapbox
Create/customize beautiful digital maps
MapQuest
To access tools and resources to map the world
Nominatim
Provides worldwide forward / reverse geocoding
OpenCage
Forward and reverse geocoding using open data
openrouteservice.org
Directions, POIs, isochrones, geocoding (+reverse), elevation, and more
positionstack
Forward & Reverse Batch Geocoding REST API
Quick Start Example
Forward geocode an address with Nominatim (no API key)
const res = await fetch(
'https://nominatim.openstreetmap.org/search' +
'?q=Eiffel+Tower&format=json',
{ headers: { 'User-Agent': 'MyApp/1.0' } }
);
const [result] = await res.json();
console.log(result.lat, result.lon);import requests
res = requests.get(
'https://nominatim.openstreetmap.org/search',
params={'q': 'Eiffel Tower', 'format': 'json'},
headers={'User-Agent': 'MyApp/1.0'}
)
r = res.json()[0]
print(r['lat'], r['lon'])Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free geocoding API?
Nominatim (OpenStreetMap) is completely free with no API key, rate-limited to 1 req/second. For higher volumes, LocationIQ (5,000/day free) and Geoapify (3,000/day free) are top choices.
Which geocoding API needs no API key?
Nominatim by OpenStreetMap works without any API key. GeoNames also has keyless endpoints. Both are open-source powered.
What is the difference between forward and reverse geocoding?
Forward geocoding converts an address into coordinates (lat/lon). Reverse geocoding converts coordinates back into a readable address. All APIs here support both.