This content applies to a previous version of CARTO
In October 2021 we released a new version of our platform. You can find the latest documentation at docs.carto.com
Geocoding Your Data
Why do you need this?
- You have a dataset with an address, city, country, IP, postal code, etc. and you need to visualize it.
What is Geocoding?
Geocoding is the process of converting an address description (e.g., the name of a city or a postal code) into geographic coordinates that CARTO can visualize. Most CARTO users begin by geocoding their datasets to extract map insights.
How can I geocode my data?
You can geocode your data by using the “Geocoding Analysis” in Builder, or with one of the Geocoding Functions available in the Data Services API.
What are the different geocoders?
CARTO employs two distinct geocoding approaches. For latitude/longitude, country, administrative regions, IP addresses, or postal/zip codes, it uses the CARTO Internal Geocoder, an open source solution based on open data. Street addresses and city names rely on external providers like HERE or TomTom based on your plan.
| Geocoder | Geometry | Credit Consumption | Provider | Row Limit | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latitude & longitude | Point | No | Internal | – | – |
| City names | Point | Yes | Tomtom, HERE | – | 30 min |
| Country names | Polygon | No | Internal | 500 | 5 min |
| Administrative Regions | Polygon | No | Internal | 1000 | 5 min |
| IP addresses | Point | No | Internal | – | 30 min |
| Street addresses | Point | Yes | Tomtom, HERE | – | 30 min |
| Postal Codes | Point | No | Internal | 1M | 5 min |
Does geocoding consume credits?
When you are using an external geocoder, credits are consumed.