Every once in a while, you stumble across something that makes you stop and say,
“Wait… that’s actually kind of genius.”
That happened to me recently when I discovered an app called what3words.
At first, I thought it sounded like some kind of word game. Maybe something like Wordle’s cousin that didn’t quite make the cut.
Nope.
This thing is way cooler than that.
So What Is “what3words”?
Here’s the concept:
The entire world — every inch of it — has been divided into tiny squares. About 10 feet by 10 feet.
And every single one of those squares has been assigned a unique combination of three random words.
That’s it.
Instead of saying,
“Meet me near the third tree past the parking lot next to that one rock that kinda looks like a potato,”
You can just say something like:
👉 “apple.banana.chair” (not a real one, but you get the idea)
And boom — that exact 10-foot spot on Earth is pinpointed.
Why This Is Actually Really Useful
At first glance, it feels like a fun novelty.
Then you start thinking about it…
- Trying to tell someone exactly where you’re sitting on a crowded beach
- Meeting up at a huge festival or concert
- Finding a specific campsite in the middle of nowhere
- Directing someone to a trailhead or fishing spot
- Telling someone where you parked at a massive stadium lot (we’ve all been there)
This app eliminates the classic “I’m right here… no, a little to your left… no, MY left!” conversation.
It’s Basically GPS… But Way Simpler
Yes, we already have GPS coordinates.
But let’s be honest…
Nobody is casually texting their friend:
“Meet me at 42.9634° N, 85.6681° W.”
That sounds like you’re launching a satellite.
Three simple words?
Now we’re talking.
The Unexpected Bonus
Here’s the part I didn’t expect…
It’s kind of fun.
You can zoom in on random places and see what their three-word address is. Your house. Your driveway. That weird corner of your yard where nothing grows.
Every single spot has its own little identity.
It’s oddly addictive.
Also… Pretty Brilliant for Emergencies
This is where it gets serious for a second.
In an emergency — especially in rural areas, parks, or places without clear addresses — being able to give an exact location quickly could make a huge difference.
And that’s where something like this goes from “cool app” to “actually really useful tool.”
Final Thoughts
In a world full of apps we download and forget about 10 minutes later, this one feels different.
It’s simple.
It’s clever.
And it solves a problem you didn’t even realize you had.
Will you use it every day? Probably not.
But the next time you’re trying to explain where you are without waving your arms like an airport runway worker…
You might be glad you have it.
.
