• COORDINATES
  • DETAILS
  • LISTS
  • HUMAN

How to find geographic coordinates with your AI

Connect Nominatim to your AI client to convert text-based locations into exact map data. Once connected, you can pull coordinates for any place just by naming it.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How can I get latitude and longitude from a name?

Your AI uses the Nominatim MCP to search OpenStreetMap data for the specific place you mention. It returns the exact latitude and longitude for that location. You'll get precise mapping data for any address or landmark you provide.

Where every result lands.

The outcomes of your search

Depending on what you ask, your AI delivers different types of spatial data.

COORDINATES

Exact map points

The AI finds the latitude and longitude for the specific address or landmark you named. This is the primary data used for mapping.

DETAILS

Place information

The AI pulls extra context like city, state, or postal codes associated with the location. This helps confirm it found the right spot.

LISTS

Multiple matches

If a name is vague, the AI identifies several possible locations. You can then pick the correct one from the results.

HUMAN

Manual verification

You review the returned coordinates against a map to ensure the AI didn't pick a similarly named street in a different city.

The workflow

What your AI does when a location is requested.

The AI handles the heavy lifting of querying geographic databases to find your target.

  1. Identify the target

    Your AI parses your message to extract the specific address, landmark, or place name you want to locate.

    search

  2. Query the database

    The AI sends the location name to the Nominatim service to find matching entries in OpenStreetMap.

    search

  3. Extract coordinates

    The AI pulls the specific latitude and longitude values from the search results.

    search

  4. Format the answer

    The AI presents the coordinates in a clean, readable format for your use in other tasks.

    search

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to trigger a search immediately.

Starting points

Swap out the bracketed text for the actual places you need to find.

Nominatim Connector

You're all set. Choose your MCP client and follow the setup instructions.

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_8IxlC9ctUCyetK3OIL7HGhxUdKZezmN5BOMtONYK/mcp

Claude Desktop

Follow the steps below to connect in seconds.

  1. 1In Claude Desktop, open Settings → Connectors.
  2. 2Click “Add custom connector” and paste the connector link above as the remote MCP server URL.
  3. 3Click Add and start a new chat — Nominatim capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "nominatim-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_8IxlC9ctUCyetK3OIL7HGhxUdKZezmN5BOMtONYK/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • Find the latitude and longitude for [the Empire State Building].

  • What are the coordinates for [1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC]?

  • Search for the coordinates of [Golden Gate Bridge].

  • Give me the exact location data for [the Eiffel Tower].

  • Claude
  • ChatGPT
  • Cursor
  • VS Code
  • Windsurf
  • Claude Code
  • JetBrains
  • Cline

Start here

Connect Nominatim once, then ask.

One click connects the MCP to your client. Your credentials stay encrypted, and you can start asking for coordinates right away.

Connect Nominatim to your AI

FAQ

How the task behaves

  • 01

    Can the AI find coordinates for private residences?

    The AI can only find locations that are present in OpenStreetMap. If a private home isn't mapped, the AI won't find it.

  • 02

    Does the AI save my search history?

    No. The AI client manages your conversation history, but the Nominatim MCP does not store or track your queries.

  • 03

    Can the AI move a pin on a map for me?

    No. The AI only retrieves data. You must use your own mapping software to visualize or manipulate the coordinates.

  • 04

    What happens if there are two places with the same name?

    The AI will typically return a list of possible matches. You'll need to tell the AI which specific one you meant.

  • 05

    Can the AI update OpenStreetMap data?

    No. This MCP is read-only. It can only pull existing data from the database; it cannot edit or add new locations.

  • More questions about Nominatim? The Connector page answers them. See everything the Nominatim Connector can do

Connect Nominatim to Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT & more