Match Codes

The geocoder returns match codes indicating the address portions that matched or did not match to the database.

If the geocoder cannot make a match, the match code begins with "E" and the remaining digits indicate why the address did not match. For a description of the "Ennn" codes, see "Ennn" Match Codes for No Match. The digits do not specifically refer to which address elements did not match, but rather why the address did not match.

The following table contains the match code values. For a description of the hex digits for the match codes, see Match Hex Digits.

Code Description
Ahh Same as "Shh", but indicates match to an alias name record or an alternate record.
Chh The street address did not match, but the geocoder located a street segment based on the input ZIP Code or city.
D00 Matched to a small town with P.O. Box or General Delivery only.
Gxx Matched to an Auxiliary file.
Hhh The house number was changed.
Jhh Matched to a user-defined dictionary.
Nxx Matched to the nearest address. Used with reverse geocoding. The following are the only values for N:
NS0
Nearest street center match (nearest street segment interpolated)
NS1
Nearest unranged street segment
NP0
Nearest point address
NX0
Nearest intersection
P Successful reverse APN lookup.
Qhh Matched to USPS range records with unique ZIP Codes. CASS rules prohibit altering an input ZIP if it matches a unique ZIP Code value.
Rhh Matched to a ranged address.
Shh Matched to USPS data. This is considered the best address match, because it matched directly against the USPS list of addresses. "S" is returned for a small number of addresses when the matched address has a blank ZIP + 4.
Thh Matched to a street segment record. Street segment records do not contain ZIP Code information. If you enter a ZIP Code, the application returns the ZIP Code you entered. If the input city and state has only one ZIP Code, the application returns that ZIP Code.
Uhh Matched to USPS data but cannot resolve the ZIP + 4 code without the firm name or other information. CASS mode returns an "E023" (multiple match) error code.
Xhhh Matched to an intersection of two streets, for example, "Clay St & Michigan Ave." The first hex digit refers to the last line information, the second hex digit refers to the first street in the intersection, and the third hex digit refers to the second street in the intersection.
Note: The USPS does not allow intersections as a valid deliverable address.
Yhhh Same as "Xhhh", but an alias name record was used for one or both streets.
Z1 No address given, but verified the provided ZIP Code .
1 Zh may be returned if FIND_CORRECT_LASTLINE is set to True.