Key:bench:type

Use bench:type in combination with amenity=bench to specify the kind of bench you are mapping.

Common values

• bench:type=seated (meaning unclear – see discussion)
• bench:type=stand_up – For benches that only support you while standing but don't have a seat to fully sit down – sometimes also called “leaning bench” (e.g. on platforms of public transport or sometimes on sports fields or playgrounds – but it should not be confused with playground=youth_bench, where you sit upright on a narrow surface rather than standing and rest your feet on a lower bar)
• bench:type=block – For massive blocks that serve as a bench or are suitable for sitting (often made of stone or concrete).
• bench:type=lounger – For benches that allow (at least partially) lying down. In this case, check whether amenity=lounger fits better (e.g. if you lie more horizontally than sit upright).
• bench:type=platform – For larger seating areas, usually without backrests. Consider to map these as areas with area=yes.
• bench:type=swing – For hanging benches that allow the user to swing. Swing benches differ from playground=swing as the latter is designed for play. Swinging benches are designed to sit in with another person.
• bench:type=log – For logs intended to be used as benches.

Examples

• 

  bench:type=stand_up

• 

  bench:type=block

• 

  bench:type=lounger

• 

  bench:type=platform

• 

  bench:type=swing

• 

  bench:type=log

Comparison

The key bench=* is used as a direct alternative – but this key is mostly used with yes/no to indicate the presence of an amenity=bench associated with a feature (e.g. with public_transport=platform). Here are some values in comparison:

bench:type=*	bench=*
bench:type=stand_up $1% $1% $1% $1% More details at taginfo More details at taginfo	bench=stand_up_bench $1% $1% $1% $1% More details at taginfo More details at taginfo
bench:type=block $1% $1% $1% $1% More details at taginfo More details at taginfo	bench=stone $1% $1% $1% $1% More details at taginfo More details at taginfo
bench:type=lounger $1% $1% $1% $1% More details at taginfo More details at taginfo	bench=wave_lounger $1% $1% $1% $1% More details at taginfo More details at taginfo
bench:type=platform $1% $1% $1% $1% More details at taginfo More details at taginfo	bench=platform $1% $1% $1% $1% More details at taginfo More details at taginfo
bench:type=swing $1% $1% $1% $1% More details at taginfo More details at taginfo	bench=swing $1% $1% $1% $1% More details at taginfo More details at taginfo

However, *:type=* is widely criticized as a meaningless suffix. Even if bench=* is not to be used, other more specific words could be used. Talk:Tag:bench=wave lounger#not_well_designed

As for 2024-12, there are 110 highway=bus_stop with other bench=* (that's not yes , no , separate , or yes;no ), including 70 bench=stand_up_bench . highway=bus_stop + bench=* + bench:type=* is 113 instances.

bench:type=* was started by a mass addition of 600 in 2015 https://taghistory.raifer.tech/?#***/bench:type/

bench=yes + bench:type=stand_up may be seen as a trolltag by some. It overrides the standard bench=* applied , changing into the rather opposite meaning of not completely sittable.

See also

• amenity=lounger – An object for people to lie down
• leisure=bleachers – Raised, tiered rows of benches found at spectator events
• barrier=block – A block not used for seating
• natural=stone – A stone not used for seating
• playground=youth_bench – A special type of bench (a playground facility) – often with seating at different, age-appropriate seat heights or for sitting higher (and with another beam or a bar to put your feet down)