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What3words location finder

If you get into difficulties on the towpath or on the water, you can find your exact location via the what3words app.

Family walking along Macclesfield Canal

Have you ever tried to explain to someone where exactly you are on the towpath?

Descriptions like "I'm near the blue boat," or "Look out for the bench and I'm five minutes on from that," are all too common.

What3words can help you describe your location accurately and easily.

Through what3words, the whole world is divided into 3m squares and each square has a unique combination of three words. These ‘addresses' are easy to say, to share and are as accurate as GPS coordinates.

If you get into difficulties on the towpath, using a what3words address will help emergency services find you.

It's also a great way to tell us if there are any issues on the towpath that we need to be aware of, as we can tell the local teams exactly where the issue is.

FAQs from the what3words website

Does the app work without phone signal?

Without phone signal, the app functions the same as when you have no data connection: you can view the location of any what3words address you enter. You can also navigate to it using compass mode.

To share a what3words address over the phone or in a text message you need phone signal. To load maps, or share in other apps or social media, you need a data connection.

Can I send a what3words address to someone who doesn't have the app? what3words addresses can be used easily even by people who don't have the app.

Simply send them the what3words address as a link e.g. what3words.com/filled.count.soap, so they can view the location on what3words.com.

If you send a what3words address without a link, the recipient can open what3words.com in their browser and type the what3words address into the search bar.

Last Edited: 19 May 2021

photo of a location on the canals
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