M
API Matrix

OpenStreetMap API

Geocoding / OAuth Advanced HTTP
Varies by plan (check documentation)
13 Score
Grade F
Visit Official Site Compare Alternatives

Overview

OpenStreetMap is a free, community-built map of the world that lets you read and contribute geographic data. You can use its API to fetch map tiles, search for places, and retrieve raw map data using OAuth authentication. It is a great open-source alternative to paid mapping services.

💡

Beginner Tip

Start by exploring the read-only endpoints which do not require authentication—you only need OAuth when writing or editing map data. Rate limits apply, so cache responses whenever possible.

Available Data

IP address details
latitude and longitude
city and country
timezone
ISP information

Example Response

JSON Response 
{
  "ip": "203.0.113.42",
  "city": "San Francisco",
  "region": "California",
  "country_code": "US",
  "latitude": 37.7749,
  "longitude": -122.4194,
  "timezone": "America/Los_Angeles",
  "isp": "Example ISP"
}

Field Reference

id Unique identifier of the OSM element (node, way, or relation).
lat Latitude coordinate of the node in decimal degrees.
lon Longitude coordinate of the node in decimal degrees.
version Edit version number of the element; increments with each modification.
tags Key-value pairs that describe the feature, such as name, highway, or amenity.

Implementation Example 

// ⚠️ Note: This URL may be a documentation page. Check official docs for actual API endpoint.
const url = "http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/API";
// Replace headers or query params with the values required by this API.
const response = await fetch(url, {
  headers: {
  "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
  }
});
if (!response.ok) throw new Error(`Request failed: ${response.status}`);
const data = await response.json();
console.log(data);

What Can You Build?

Note: These code examples are AI-generated and unverified. Always refer to the official API documentation for accurate usage.

Common Errors & Troubleshooting

429 Too Many Requests The OSM API enforces strict rate limits, especially for bulk or automated requests.
✓ Add delays between requests and cache results locally. Consider downloading OSM data extracts for large-scale use.
OAuth 401 Unauthorized Missing or incorrect OAuth credentials when trying to write or edit map data.
✓ Register an application at openstreetmap.org, complete the OAuth flow, and include a valid access token in your request headers.
Unexpected XML response The OSM API returns XML by default, which some parsers may not handle automatically.
✓ Parse the XML response with a library like xml2js (Node.js) or xml.etree (Python), or use the Overpass API for JSON output.

Matrix Score Breakdown

🌐 Reachability 0/30
⚡ Speed 10/20
🔒 Security 0/15
🛠 Developer XP 3/20
✓ Reliability 0/15

Partially tested on Apr 5, 2026

Technical Specifications

Auth OAuth
HTTPS NO
CORS UNKNOWN
Category Geocoding
Difficulty Advanced
Verified: 2026-04-04

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