Geocoding

Geocoding converts a text address or place name into geographic coordinates, typically latitude and longitude, so it can be placed on a map or used in spatial calculations. Reverse geocoding does the opposite, turning a coordinate pair into a readable address or place description.

A geocoder matches the input text against a reference dataset of known addresses, streets and points of interest, then interpolates a position when an exact match is not found, for example estimating a point along a street segment between two known house numbers. Match quality varies: a rooftop-level match is far more precise than one interpolated from a street centerline or resolved only to a ZIP code centroid, and providers report a confidence or match-type field that analysts should check rather than assume.

Geocoding is the entry point for most location analytics: it is what turns a customer list or store roster into data a geographic information system can map, feeding downstream spatial analysis, choropleth map construction and geofencing rules. The main pitfalls are silently accepting low-confidence matches, and inconsistent address formatting or missing unit numbers that cause records to geocode to the wrong building or an entire city's centroid.