> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/~/changes/AJZwzCsyrD9hiTbOxIbO/addressing-and-location/addressbase.md).

# AddressBase

{% embed url="<https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/products/addressbase>" %}

AddressBase provides a current view of all Royal Mail Postcode Address File (PAF) addresses that have been matched to the National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG) and One Scotland Gazetteer (OSG). The product provides Royal Mail attribution as well as enhancing the Royal Mail Postcode Address File (PAF) data with X and Y coordinates on the British National Grid and ETRS89 coordinate reference system and providing the classification of an address to a primary level. It also provides a primary level classification.

This product will provide you with a single view of an address, allow you to locate this address on a map to give you a geographic view and carry out primary analysis on the function of the address to determine, for example, residential from commercial properties.

{% hint style="info" %}
**This product is updated every six weeks.**
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://1897589978-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcNpJpLP8RROUaWVQo5ea%2Fuploads%2Fv6d7HI4KlOxnpH7ABzLK%2FAddressBase7%201.png?alt=media&amp;token=d9196f0a-1d42-4715-9fee-268bf6ca3e33" alt="Representation of AddressBase data showing address data as red dots against a background map"><figcaption><p>Representation of AddressBase data</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
Please see [Getting started with AddressBase products](/os-downloads/~/changes/AJZwzCsyrD9hiTbOxIbO/addressing-and-location/addressbase/addressbase-getting-started-guide.md) for instructions on how to load and work with AddressBase data; this is a composite guide for [AddressBase](/os-downloads/~/changes/AJZwzCsyrD9hiTbOxIbO/addressing-and-location/addressbase.md), [AddressBase Plus](/os-downloads/~/changes/AJZwzCsyrD9hiTbOxIbO/addressing-and-location/addressbase-plus.md) and [AddressBase Plus Islands](/os-downloads/~/changes/AJZwzCsyrD9hiTbOxIbO/addressing-and-location/addressbase-plus-islands.md).&#x20;
{% endhint %}

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Features" %}

#### **Precision identification**

Identify a property and locate it on a map with precision – using the X and Y coordinates we’ve assigned to the Royal Mail Postcode Address File (PAF) data.

#### **Understand the nation with PAF**

Every address geo data record provides Royal Mail address information from PAF, the Unique Delivery Point Reference Number (UDPRN) and X and Y coordinates.

#### **Track customer data**

Using the basic classifications in AddressBase you can quickly filter between residential and commercial addresses, which is ideal for marketing purposes.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Use Cases" %}

#### **Reduce marketing costs**

Our basic classifications – residential or commercial – will reduce the costs and increase the effectiveness of your direct marketing.

#### **Confidence in data**

In customer services, the need for accuracy is paramount. Have confidence in your front-line staff’s ability to look up addresses on a database of millions, quickly and efficiently.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Summary" %}

* **Access:** Download
* **Data theme:** Address
* **Data structure:** Vector – Points
* **Coverage**: Great Britain
* **Scale**: 1:1 250 to 1: 10 000
* **Format:** CSV, GML 3.2.1
* **Ordering area:** All of Great Britain or customisable area (5km² tiles or user-defined polygon)
* **OS Data Hub plan:** Public Sector Plan, Premium Plan, Energy & Infrastructure Plan
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Additional Information" %}

#### **House to flat conversions**

To find out details such as houses that have been converted to flats, you'll need AddressBase Plus. it includes current properties and addresses sourced from local authorities, Ordnance Survey and Royal Mail. These are all matched to the UPRN and structured in a flat-file model.

AddressBase Plus has more records than AddressBase as it includes objects without postal addresses such as places of worship and community centres – as well as sub-divided properties. It lets you locate an address or property on a map, through the assigned X and Y coordinates.

Crucially, the cross-referencing information with OS MasterMap products via Topographic Identifiers (TOIDs) means you can view address data within a wider context.

#### **Paying Royal Mail royalties as a commercial customer**

Royal Mail royalties are included in the licence fee. A separate Royal Mail royalty fee applies if you license the AddressBase data on External Transaction Solution (ETS) terms.

#### **File size**

If the file size of your order is smaller than 2Gb, you can get it from our FTP server. in addition, public sector customers can download 5km chunk orders via our download service.

#### **Data from Royal Mail’s PAF**

The database is a vital component of the single address gazetteer database and is in each of the AddressBase products where there has been a match confirming the address to the LLPG address.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## How to get this product

Access to this product is free for Public Sector Geospatial Agreement (PSGA) Members. Find out if you are a PSGA Member or download a sample of AddressBase data by accessing the [AddressBase product page of the OS website](https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/products/addressbase#get), which has links to all of the relevant resources. Alternatively, you can try out the full product by applying for [a Data Exploration license](https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/licensing/data-exploration-licence).

## Visualise AddressBase data online

This product is available to try out online using one of our three sets of sample data (Exeter, Newport and Inverness) through the OS MasterMap Product Viewer:

<table data-view="cards" data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>OS MasterMap Product Viewer</strong></td><td>Interactive demonstrator of <mark style="color:purple;">OS MasterMap Generation</mark> data</td><td></td><td><a href="https://1897589978-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcNpJpLP8RROUaWVQo5ea%2Fuploads%2Fuld7V42IKrB8ovpC1JXB%2FVectorMap-Local-1.png?alt=media&amp;token=cb3e8ae9-d669-4bc9-b7a7-5f479d780447">VectorMap-Local-1.png</a></td><td><a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/20981dabcb14402687dccb437a4a78fb/">https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/20981dabcb14402687dccb437a4a78fb/</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/~/changes/AJZwzCsyrD9hiTbOxIbO/addressing-and-location/addressbase.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.