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Licensing & Attribution

geocodeme.net results are derived from OpenStreetMap data, which is licensed under the Open Database License (ODbL). Using the API means you inherit one simple obligation: attribution.

What you must do​

Display the attribution string returned in every API response wherever OSM-derived data is shown to end users:

  • Geocoding responses (/v1/geocode, /v1/reverse): © OpenStreetMap contributors
  • Routing responses (/v1/match, /v1/nearest): Route data (c) OpenStreetMap contributors

A footer or "about" page mention is sufficient for most applications:

<footer>
  Geocoding by <a href="https://geocodeme.net">geocodeme.net</a> —
  © <a href="https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright">OpenStreetMap</a> contributors
</footer>

If your app displays results on a map, the attribution should be visible on or near the map (map libraries like Leaflet and MapLibre have a built-in attribution control for this).

What you may do​

The ODbL is a permissive license for consumers of the data:

  • Commercial use is allowed: you can build paid products on geocodeme.net.
  • Storing/caching results is allowed: keep geocoded coordinates in your database.
  • No API-specific restriction prevents you from combining results with your own data.

What you should know​

  • If you create a derivative database from substantial amounts of OSM data (not just storing individual geocoding results), the ODbL share-alike terms may apply to that database. See the OSM Community Guidelines for the accepted interpretations.
  • The full legal terms are on the OpenStreetMap copyright page.
  • Our own terms of service are at geocodeme.net/terms.
In short

Show "© OpenStreetMap contributors" somewhere your users can see it, and you're compliant for the typical use case.