Manhattan address algorithm

The Manhattan address algorithm is a series of formulas used to estimate the closest east–west cross street for building numbers on north–south avenues in the New York City borough of Manhattan.[1][2]

Algorithm

To find the approximate number of the closest cross street, divide the building number by a divisor (generally 20) and add (or subtract) the "tricky number" from the table below:

Street/AvenueBuilding No. DivisorTricky No. (unrounded result)
Avenue AAll
Avenue BAll
Avenue CAll
Avenue DAll
1st AvenueAll
2nd AvenueAll
3rd AvenueAll
4th AvenueAll
5th Avenue63–108 14.15–16.4
5th Avenue109–199 18.45–23
5th Avenue200–399 26.05–36
5th Avenue400–599 38.05–48
5th Avenue600–774 50.05–58.75
5th Avenue775–1286 59.6–110.6
5th Avenue1287–1499 110–120
5th AvenueAbove 1500 124+
6th AvenueAll
7th Avenue1–1800 12.05–102
7th AvenueAbove 1800 110+
8th AvenueAll
9th AvenueAll
10th AvenueAll
11th AvenueAll
Amsterdam AvenueAll
Audubon AvenueAll
Avenue of the AmericasAll
Columbus AvenueAll [3]
Broadway1–754(few numbered streets south of 8th)
Broadway756–846 8.8–13.3
Broadway847–953 17.35–22.65
BroadwayAbove 953 16.65+
Central Park WestAll
Convent AvenueAll
East End AvenueAll
Edgecombe AvenueAll
Ft. Washington AvenueAll
Lenox AvenueAll
Lexington AvenueAll
Madison AvenueAll
Manhattan AvenueAll
Park AvenueAll
Park Avenue SouthAll
Pleasant AvenueAll
Riverside Drive1–567 72.1–128.7
Riverside DriveAbove 567 134.7+
St. Nicholas AvenueAll
Vanderbilt AvenueAll
Wadsworth AvenueAll
West End AvenueAll
York AvenueAll

Examples

For example, if you are at 62 Avenue B, , then add the "tricky number" to give . The nearest cross street to 62 Avenue B is East 6th Street.

If you are at 78 Riverside Drive, , then add the "tricky number" to give . The nearest cross street to 78 Riverside Drive is West 80th Street.

If you are at 501 5th Avenue, , then add the "tricky number" to give . The nearest cross street to 501 5th Avenue is actually 42nd Street, not 43rd Street, as the Manhattan address algorithm only gives approximate answers.

See also

References