---
url: /protocol-launcher/apps/what3words.md
---

# what3words

[what3words](https://what3words.com/) is a location app for finding and sharing precise locations with 3 word addresses. **Protocol Launcher** allows you to generate mobile links to open the what3words app at the user's current location or navigate to a 3 word address.

## Usage

There are two ways to use this library:

* On-Demand import from subpaths enables tree-shaking and keeps bundles small.
* Full Import from the root package is convenient but includes all app modules.

Pick On-Demand for production builds; Full Import is fine for quick scripts or demos.

## URL Methods

The official what3words mobile linking documentation lists two supported `w3w://show` URI forms: `?currentlocation` and `?threewords=[word.word.word]`. This module exposes only those documented forms.

### Show Current Location

Generate the documented URL that opens the what3words app at the user's current location.

```ts-vue [{{currentMethod}}]
import { {{ currentMethod === 'On-Demand' ? 'showCurrentLocation' : 'what3words' }} } from '{{ importPath }}'

const url = {{currentMethod === 'On-Demand' ? '' : 'what3words.'}}showCurrentLocation()
```

### Show Three Words

Generate the documented URL that navigates to a 3 word address in the what3words app. Pass the address in `word.word.word` form.

```ts-vue [{{currentMethod}}]
import { {{ currentMethod === 'On-Demand' ? 'showThreeWords' : 'what3words' }} } from '{{ importPath }}'

const url = {{currentMethod === 'On-Demand' ? '' : 'what3words.'}}showThreeWords({
  threeWords: 'daring.lion.race',
})
```

## Generated URLs

```ts
showCurrentLocation()
// => 'w3w://show?currentlocation'

showThreeWords({ threeWords: 'daring.lion.race' })
// => 'w3w://show?threewords=daring.lion.race'
```

## Official Documentation

* [Mobile linking to the what3words app](https://developer.what3words.com/tutorial/mobile-linking-to-the-what3words-app)