Geocode.xyz Releases an Open 3D Location Encoding System
As geospatial technologies continue to evolve, accurate location encoding has become a foundational requirement for innovations such as autonomous vehicles, drone logistics, and advanced navigation systems. While several two-dimensional geocoding standards already exist, they fall short when elevation becomes a critical factor.
Geocode.xyz has now extended its previously released GeoCode system into the third dimension, introducing support for vertical positioning up to 17,576 meters above or below ground level. This marks the first openly available location encoding framework capable of identifying precise positions in full 3D space.
From 2D Coordinates to 3D Precision
The enhanced GeoCode system allows geographic coordinates expressed as latitude, longitude, and elevation to be converted into a compact geocode — and back again — entirely offline. The conversion relies on a lightweight data structure embedded directly in the software, eliminating the need for external databases or network access.
Users can generate their own 3D geocodes by entering x, y, and z values through the Geocode.xyz interface or by installing the open-source software locally within their own systems.
Context-Aware Location Naming
A defining feature of GeoCode is its context-preserving naming structure. Each location is represented by a three-part name, where the first element reflects the most recognizable nearby geographic reference. This design helps users intuitively understand relative position without needing to interpret raw coordinates.
To ensure spatial continuity, the system employs a smooth space-filling function that avoids abrupt boundary changes. As a result, locations that are physically close to one another will share similar geocodes. In practice, nearby points often share the first two name components, reinforcing spatial relationships within the encoding itself.
For example, a specific conference venue can be expressed with one GeoCode at ground level, while a nearby elevated position—such as a higher floor in the same building—receives a closely related code differing only in the final element.
Open Use with Commercial Protection
The 3D GeoCode system is available free of charge for use, experimentation, and modification. While the implementation is open-source, Geocode.xyz retains commercial rights to the technology, ensuring continued development and long-term sustainability of the platform.
About Geocode.xyz
Geocode.xyz specializes in advanced geocoding and geoparsing technologies for processing and interpreting location-based information. The company originally developed the three-name GeoCode format to accelerate its own reverse geocoding services, which have since evolved into the world’s first fully 3D reverse geocoding engine.
By releasing this system openly, Geocode.xyz aims to support broader adoption of standardized, elevation-aware location encoding across industries that rely on precise spatial intelligence.
