Geohash Encoder & Decoder
Encode a latitude/longitude into a geohash, or decode a geohash back to coordinates and its cell bounds. Runs in your browser.
Lat / Lon → Geohash
Geohash → Lat / Lon
About geohashes
A geohash encodes a location into a short string of letters and digits. Each extra character makes the cell smaller, so nearby places share a common prefix. Geohashes are widely used for spatial indexing in databases (Redis, Elasticsearch, DynamoDB), proximity search and location sharing.
Precision guide
- 5 characters: about 5 km (city district)
- 7 characters: about 150 m (street block)
- 9 characters: about 5 m (building entrance)
- 12 characters: sub-centimetre
Frequently asked questions
Why do nearby points share a prefix?
The encoding repeatedly halves the world in longitude and latitude. Points in the same cell keep the same leading characters, which is what makes prefix search work.
Are prefixes always reliable for proximity?
Mostly, but two very close points can sit either side of a cell edge and share little prefix. Production proximity search also checks the 8 neighboring cells, which this tool lists.