Use place search (geocoding)
The ability to search places is a key functionality for map users, and the process that makes it possible is called geocoding. Thanks to geocoding, you can find any location on Earth by its name or coordinates, from mountains and seas to city streets and landmarks. Specifically, forward geocoding turns a human-friendly place name or address into geographical coordinates, while reverse geocoding does the same in the opposite direction, turning coordinates into place names and addresses.
MapTiler’s Search & Geocoding services offer many features and settings such as fuzzy search, autocomplete (with predictions based on proximity or specific region), reverse geocoding, and language support.
MapTiler geocoding is available via the Geocoding API endpoint. For more convenient use, we provide a Geocoding API client which wraps the API calls in easy-to-use functions. You can also get these functions plus a complete dev kit with our MapTiler SDK JS.
Note that you’ll need a MapTiler API key to access our geocoding services, regardless of which tool or library you use.
Add a search box to your map
Most typically, you’ll want to add place search to your maps. The proper name of the search box is geocoding control. 👉 How to add the geocoding control
Process geocoding requests in batch
Sometimes, you’ll need to convert hundreds or even thousands of addresses to coordinates (or vice versa), for example when you’re looking to optimize delivery routes to customers. With our geocoding service, you can process your entire address list in one batch. 👉 How to use batch geocoding
Locate GPS devices in the field
If you want to locate IoT devices, track wildlife collars, or perhaps see delivery couriers in real time, you’ll want to use reverse geocoding to process the GPS pings. This will give context to the location by showing its nearest road, city, or point of interest. 👉 How to use reverse geocoding