GeoNames Forum

Can anyone explain why Geonames returns different regions in the two calls below:

http://ws.geonames.org/findNearbyPostalCodes?postalcode=AB107QA&country=GB

http://ws.geonames.org/findNearbyPostalCodes?postalcode=AB10 7QA&country=GB

The only difference is that a space (converted to %20 in the URL) is used in the last URL, but the result seems to be different regions? This only happens when the total amount of characters are 7 and not 6 (with 6 it all seems fine).

/Olle

GeoNames has only the first part of the UK postal codes. If the postal code is longer then the part after the blank is cut (example 2). If no blank is within the code then the first three letters are used.
Maybe it would be better to cut after four letters it the total number of letter is 7. What do you think?

Best

Marc

Thanks for the answer!

"Maybe it would be better to cut after four letters it the total number of letter is 7. What do you think?"

Yes, for sure! That would at least get our implementation working...

Best regards,
Olle

The service has been modified to use the first 4 letters for 7letter codes and the first 3 for 6 letter codes (if there is no blank)

Marc