Convert UK Postcodes to NGR, BNG and Coordinates
Our free online tool converts any UK postcode to its precise National Grid Reference (NGR) — also known as the British National Grid (BNG) — along with exact latitude and longitude coordinates. Perfect for surveyors, planners, researchers, and anyone working with UK location data.
What This Tool Does
This UK postcode conversion tool provides:
- Instant National Grid References for any valid UK postcode
- Accurate latitude and longitude coordinates (WGS84)
- Support for both Great Britain and Northern Ireland grid systems
- Bulk conversion of multiple postcodes at once
- Place name search to find locations without knowing the postcode
- Visual mapping of all locations
- Easy data export in CSV format
How to Use the Converter
- Enter a single postcode in the input field and click “Add to Map”
- Or paste multiple postcodes in the bulk input box (one per line or comma-separated)
- Or search for a place name like a town or village
- View the results displayed on the interactive map
- Download your data as a CSV file for use in other applications
- Copy coordinates directly to your clipboard
About the National Grid Reference System
The National Grid Reference (NGR) — identical to the British National Grid (BNG) — is the standard geographic reference system used throughout Great Britain. It divides the UK into a grid of 100km squares, each identified by two letters (e.g., TQ, SP, NY), followed by eastings and northings.
For example, the NGR “TQ 301 798” represents:
- The 100km square “TQ”
- 301 (easting) – 30.1km east from the western edge of square TQ
- 798 (northing) – 79.8km north from the southern edge of square TQ
Northern Ireland uses the Irish Grid Reference system, which follows a similar format but with different letter codes.
Technical Details
- Data Source: This tool uses the Postcodes.io API, which provides data from the Ordnance Survey Postcode Directory and ONS data
- Accuracy: Grid references are provided at 100m precision (6-figure references)
- Coordinate System: Latitude and longitude are provided in WGS84 format
- Browser Compatibility: Works in all modern browsers
- Privacy: All processing happens in your browser — no postcode data is stored on our servers
Limitations
- The tool requires an internet connection to fetch postcode data
- Some very new postcodes may not yet be available in the database
- Some non-geographic postcodes (like PO boxes) may not have associated coordinates
- The Irish Grid Reference display is simplified for Northern Ireland postcodes
Common Uses for NGR Coordinates
- Land Surveying and Planning Applications
- Environmental Studies and Field Research
- Emergency Services Location Referencing
- Archaeology and Heritage Site Documentation
- Utility and Infrastructure Planning
- Outdoor Activities (Hiking, Geocaching)
Why Use National Grid References?
NGR/BNG coordinates are the standard for UK mapping and are used by:
- Ordnance Survey maps
- Planning authorities
- Emergency services
- Land registry
- Environmental agencies
They provide a concise way to communicate locations throughout the UK without the need for decimal degrees or complex coordinate systems.
Try our free tool today to convert any UK postcode to its exact National Grid Reference and geographic coordinates!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a National Grid Reference (NGR)?
A National Grid Reference (NGR) is a standardized way of identifying locations in Great Britain, based on a grid system developed by the Ordnance Survey. The system divides Great Britain into 100km squares, each identified by two letters, followed by eastings and northings that provide increasingly precise location information. NGR is identical to what is sometimes called the British National Grid (BNG) system.
Why would I need to convert a postcode to NGR?
There are many reasons to convert postcodes to NGR coordinates: for planning applications and land development; when using Ordnance Survey maps which use the NGR system; for precise location referencing in surveying, engineering, and construction; to meet requirements for legal documents related to land or property; for academic research in environmental science, archaeology, or geography; to locate utility infrastructure that’s referenced using the grid system.
How accurate are the grid references provided by this tool?
This tool provides 6-figure grid references, which are accurate to 100 meters. For example, “TQ 123 456” refers to a 100m square. This level of precision is suitable for most general applications, though specialized surveying may require greater precision (8 or 10-figure references).
Does this tool work for all UK postcodes?
The tool works for all valid postcodes in the United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. However, Northern Ireland uses the Irish Grid system, which is handled appropriately by our converter but uses a different grid origin and reference system.
What’s the difference between NGR and latitude/longitude?
NGR is a local coordinate system specific to Great Britain, optimized for mapping in the UK. Latitude and longitude are global coordinates based on the Earth’s equator and prime meridian. Our tool provides both, as each has different uses: NGR is preferred for UK mapping, planning, and local reference; latitude/longitude is better for international applications, GPS devices, and global systems.
How do I read an NGR coordinate?
An NGR reference like “TQ 301 798” consists of: a two-letter code identifying a 100km square (e.g., “TQ”); three digits for the easting (e.g., “301” means 30.1km east from the western edge of that square); three digits for the northing (e.g., “798” means 79.8km north from the southern edge of that square).
Why does Northern Ireland use a different grid system?
Northern Ireland uses the Irish Grid system, established by the Ordnance Survey of Ireland, which uses a different origin point and letter coding system. Our converter handles this automatically, so you don’t need to worry about which system to use.
Can I use this tool for bulk conversions?
Yes! Our tool allows you to enter multiple postcodes at once (up to 100), making it ideal for processing address lists. Simply paste your postcodes in the bulk input area (one per line or comma-separated), and the tool will process them all.
What format is the exported CSV file in?
The downloaded CSV file includes columns for: Postcode, Grid Reference (NGR/BNG), Eastings and Northings (raw grid coordinates), Latitude and Longitude (to 6 decimal places), and Administrative information (district, county, country). This format makes it easy to import into GIS software, spreadsheets, or databases.
Is my data secure when using this tool?
Yes. This tool processes all data in your browser. We don’t store your postcodes or the resulting coordinates on our servers. The only external communication is with the Postcodes.io API to retrieve the coordinate data.
What if a postcode doesn’t return any coordinates?
Some postcodes may not have associated coordinates, particularly: very new postcodes not yet in the database; non-geographic postcodes (like some PO Boxes); special postcodes used for routing mail to large organizations; invalid or incorrectly formatted postcodes. In these cases, the tool will return an error message explaining the issue.
How often is the underlying data updated?
This tool uses the Postcodes.io API, which is based on the Ordnance Survey Postcode Directory and ONS data. These datasets are typically updated quarterly, ensuring that the vast majority of UK postcodes are covered.
What’s the difference between 6-figure, 8-figure, and 10-figure grid references?
These refer to the precision of the reference: 6-figure references are accurate to 100m (e.g., TQ 123 456); 8-figure references are accurate to 10m (e.g., TQ 1234 5678); 10-figure references are accurate to 1m (e.g., TQ 12345 67890). Our tool provides 6-figure references, which are sufficient for most general purposes.
