Makani Number

Makani is Dubai Municipality's geographic addressing system. Every building in Dubai is assigned a unique ten-digit code that maps to a specific point on the city's digital map. The word "makani" is Arabic for "my place." The system was developed and is maintained by Dubai Municipality's Survey Department.\n\nThe code works alongside - not instead of - a postal address. When you enter a Makani number into the official Makani app or compatible mapping tools, it navigates directly to the building's entrance point rather than a general street or area. This is particularly useful in areas where street naming or building numbering is inconsistent, which is common in older districts and newer developments that have not yet received formal street addresses.\n\nMakani codes appear on utility bills, tenancy contracts (Ejari registrations), and government service forms across Dubai. Some other emirates have developed their own equivalent addressing initiatives, but Makani is specific to Dubai and is administered solely by Dubai Municipality.

For expats renting or buying property in Dubai, the Makani number is a practical piece of information to keep on hand. It is commonly required when registering a tenancy contract through the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) via the Ejari system, connecting utilities through Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and completing residency-related paperwork with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).\n\nWhen moving to a new home, locating your building's Makani number early can smooth interactions with government portals that use it as a location identifier. The number is visible on a physical green plaque displayed on most buildings in Dubai, and it can also be looked up via the official Makani app published by Dubai Municipality.