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Introduction to OS APIs

Explore application programming interface (API) references, getting started guides and code examples for developing with OS APIs.

Ordnance Survey (OS) APIs provide programmatic access to OS data and services. They offer a powerful gateway to rich geospatial data that empowers organisations and developers to integrate mapping information into their applications. You can use OS APIs to display a map, retrieve detailed location information for analysis and more.

OS APIs are grouped into: Maps, Features, Search and Utility.

The documentation on this site will help you to understand and utilise our APIs effectively, enabling you to create tailored solutions. Each API has its own overview page, technical specification, getting started guides and additional content relating to the specific API.

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Benefits of OS APIs

Reduced overheads

No need to download, manage, store and serve the data.

Quick access

Connect directly to data that is ready to use.

Automation

Automate your workflows by integrating OS APIs.

Regular updates

No need to update the data yourself; you'll always have the latest view.

Flexibility

OS APIs can provide efficiencies and help you be more productive.

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Maps

Example image of OS NGD API – Tiles data.

OS NGD API – Tiles

OS NGD API – Tiles offers a vector tile service powered by the OS National Geographic Database (OS NGD). It provides a detailed and customisable basemap based on the latest OGC API – Tilesarrow-up-right.

Example image of OS Maps API data.

OS Maps API

OS Maps API serves pre-rendered raster tiles in multiple styles to best suit your use case. Maps can be requested using the OGC WMTS standard or RESTful ZXY.

Example image of OS Vector Tile API data.

OS Vector Tile API

OS Vector Tile API offers a vector tile service providing detailed OS MasterMap data as a customisable basemap.

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Features

Example image of OS NGD API – Features data.

OS NGD API – Features

The OS NGD API – Features gives you simple access to the OS National Geographic Database (OS NGD) allowing you to filter by attribute, location and time to create your own customised data selections.

Example image of OS Features API data.

OS Features API

The OS Features API allows you to filter Ordnance Survey data and receive exactly what you need, as and when you need it.

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Search

Example image of OS Names API data.

OS Names API

The OS Names API is a geographic directory containing basic information about identifiable places.

Example image of OS Linked Identifiers API data.

OS Linked Identifiers API

The OS Linked Identifiers API allows you to access the valuable relationships between properties, streets and OS MasterMap identifiers for free.

Example image of OS Places API data.

OS Places API

The OS Places API allows you to verify the address records you’re capturing against authoritative data from Ordnance Survey’s AddressBase Premium and AddressBase Premium Islands.

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Utility

OS Downloads API

The OS Downloads API allows you to automate the download of OS OpenData and OS Premium datasets

OAuth2 API

OAuth2 API provides an authentication mechanism for OS APIs to use time limited tokens for access to resources.

NextGetting started with an API project

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