Engel & Völkers
  • 5 min read
  • Updated: 17 Nov 2025

Makani Number Dubai: Meaning, Benefits & How to Verify Property Location

Luxury Dubai Villa with Makani Number showing on outside wall

Key Takeaways:

  • The Makani number in Dubai is a 10-digit geographic code that identifies the exact location of every building.

  • It simplifies navigation, property management, and real estate transactions by linking each property to precise coordinates.

  • Buyers, residents, and emergency services rely on Makani numbers for accurate directions and faster response times.

With new communities, roads, and developments emerging across Dubai in 2025, having a reliable way to navigate the city is more important than ever, particularly for property buyers and first-time visitors.

Dubai is a large, fast-growing city with diverse districts and neighbourhoods. Addresses are not always intuitive, and finding a specific building can be confusing without a precise reference point. If you’ve ever struggled to locate an address or followed unclear directions, you’re not alone.

To solve this, Dubai introduced a smart, citywide geographic system: the Makani number.

This article explains what a Makani number is, why it matters, how to find your Makani number, and how it supports residents, buyers, and businesses across the real estate market.

Table of Content

  1. What is a Makani Number in Dubai?

  2. Purpose and Importance of Makani Number

  3. How The Makani Number Helps Identify Exact Property Locations

  4. Integration With Real Estate Transactions

  5. Benefits Of Makani Number For Property Owners And Buyers

  6. How To Get A Makani Number?

  7. Common Issues With Makani Number And How To Resolve Them

  8. Conclusion

What is a Makani Number in Dubai?

Let us begin with the most fundamental question: what is a Makani number?

A Makani number is a unique 10-digit geographic code introduced by Dubai Municipality in 2015. It provides the exact location of any building, villa, plot, or entrance in the emirate. Think of it as a precise digital address. The system uses geo-tagging technology to pinpoint a location on interactive maps with near-perfect accuracy.

Although first implemented in Dubai, the Makani system is now the official geographic addressing standard in Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain, making it a unified tool across several emirates.

Example of a Makani number sign as used in Dubai

Purpose and Importance of Makani Number

Translated from Arabic, Makani means “my location,” which perfectly reflects its purpose. The Makani number system was introduced to make navigating Dubai simpler, faster, and far more accurate than traditional addressing.

In a city where new roads, towers, and communities appear constantly, the Makani system uses digital maps on smartphones, navigation devices, and computers to guide users to the exact entrance of any building. It eliminates confusion, reduces errors, and ensures residents, visitors, and service providers can locate a place with ease.

How The Makani Number Helps Identify Exact Property Locations

How does a Makani number in Dubai help you locate a place precisely?

A Makani number is generated using a universal geographic coordinate system, allowing the entrance of any building in Dubai to be pinpointed with exceptional accuracy, often within less than one metre. This eliminates confusion, especially in areas where buildings or internal roads may look similar.

Because each Makani number is tied to specific coordinates and plot details, every villa, apartment building, hospital, mall, or commercial property has its own unique 10-digit code. No two locations share the same identifier, making the system highly reliable for navigation and property tracking.

To use a Makani number, simply enter the code into the Makani website or the official Makani app. Both allow you to search a location, set routes, and even avoid toll roads. Major navigation tools such as Google Maps also support Makani number search.

If you need to share a location, the Makani app lets you send the code directly, ensuring the recipient is guided to the exact entrance without ambiguity.

Integration With Real Estate Transactions

Now that we’ve established what a Makani number is, it’s important to understand its role in the real estate sector. Makani numbers are used throughout Dubai’s legal and transactional processes to verify the exact property involved in any sale, lease, or registration.

They appear in several key areas:

  • Legal processes and documentation: Makani numbers are required during property registration, title deed issuance, and most formal real estate procedures. They ensure the correct plot or building is identified without ambiguity.

  • Buying and selling property: Many real estate websites and agents include the Makani number for each listing so buyers can pinpoint the exact location of a villa, apartment building, or plot. This makes property viewings and due-diligence far easier.

Property management and maintenance: Management companies use Makani numbers to track buildings, schedule services, coordinate with contractors, and respond to tenant requests. The system reduces errors and speeds up location-based tasks.

Benefits Of Makani Number For Property Owners And Buyers

There are several practical benefits to having a Makani number in Dubai, especially for residents, buyers, and property managers. Key advantages include:

Advantages Of Makani NumberExplained

Precise location sharing

You can share your exact location simply by sending your Makani number. This removes guesswork and ensures they arrive at the correct place.

Easy navigation to any property

Whether you’re visiting a new property, touring a community, or locating a service provider, the Makani system offers voice navigation, real-time traffic updates, distance calculations, and turn-by-turn route guidance.

Identifying your exact location

If you’re unsure where you are, the Makani app can instantly display your precise coordinates. This is especially useful in large communities, new developments, or unfamiliar areas.

Faster emergency response

Emergency services, including Dubai Police, ambulance teams, and civil defence, use Makani numbers for quicker response times. Sharing your 10-digit code helps authorities reach the correct entrance without delay.

How To Get A Makani Number?

A Makani number is assigned to every completed building and plot in Dubai, similar to a plot number. This means any property you buy will already have a Makani number linked to it. Here’s how to find your Makani number in Dubai:

Check The Makani Sign Outside The Building

Most properties in Dubai display their 10-digit Makani number on a small sign near the main entrance. This is the quickest way to confirm a location in person.

Use The Official Makani Website Or App

Allow the Makani website or Makani app to access your device’s location. It will automatically detect your position and display the Makani number for your building.

Search By Address

If you prefer not to share your location, enter your home address in the search bar on the Makani site or app to retrieve your number.

Select A Location On The Map

You can browse the interactive map and click on any building, plot, or point of interest to view its Makani number.

Poster showing how to download the Makani app and the uses for the Makani Number

Common Issues With Makani Number And How To Resolve Them

While the Makani system is generally reliable, users may still encounter a few minor issues. Most are easy to fix once you know where to look. Here are the most common problems and how to resolve them:

Potential ProblemSolution

Incorrect or outdated Makani number on a listing

Verify the correct number using the Makani app, website, or the sign displayed at the building entrance.

Makani number missing from a new development

Check the digital map on the Makani app, where updated numbers are usually added first.

Location not loading or showing incorrectly on the app

Enable location access on your device or manually enter the address.

Confusion between Makani number and plot number

Use the Makani code only for navigation or identification. Use the plot number for legal documents and registration.

Difficulty sharing the Makani number

Use the in-app “Share Location” feature, which sends the exact 10-digit code and its pinned map link.

Conclusion

Understanding how the Makani number in Dubai works gives buyers, residents, and investors a clear advantage. Whether you want to verify a property’s exact location, plan viewings efficiently, or navigate new communities with confidence, the Makani system provides precise, reliable information that traditional addresses simply can’t match.

As Dubai continues to expand with new roads, towers, and neighbourhoods, tools like the Makani number will remain essential for accurate navigation, smooth property transactions, and streamlined property management. Knowing what a Makani number is and how to find your Makani number ensures you’re better prepared at every stage of your property search or ownership journey.

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