Map Features

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OpenStreetMap does not have any content restrictions on tags that can be assigned to Nodes, Ways or Areas. You can use any tags you like. However, there is benefit in agreeing a recommended set of features and corresponding tags in order to create, interpret and display a common basemap. This page contains a core recommended feature set and corresponding tags.

If you don't see an appropriate tag for what you would like to map see Proposed features or for grouping ways and nodes together into a higher level component, see Relations. From there you can see what features may be added (and maybe get them in sooner), or propose your own.

If you need help understanding the terms Node/Way/Area, see Elements.
Some mapping features are explained in detail, see Mapping/Features.
To propose a new icon, use the page of the Proposed Icons.
To see a list of features that were once valid but should no longer be used, see Deprecated features.
See also Editing Standards and Conventions.

Notes on rendering:

Using the tags here will mean that your editing efforts are more likely to show up in the various renderers. However, there is no guarantee that a tag listed here will be rendered by any particular renderer or by the renderers used by the OSM main map page.
There also may be many tags that will render on the OSM main map page that are not listed here. This list is not updated with all the tags implemented by the renderers.
The 'Rendering' column in these tables is only an example of how an imaginary map might choose to render the feature. It does not dictate how our Mapnik or Osmarender layers may render it, nor indeed any other map.

The tables are in grouped by theme, with the more commonly used first.
Each section is a template which can be used for language translations.

Physical

Highway

The highway tag is the primary tag used for highways. It is often the only tag. There are conventions for its use in particular countries. See Highway tag usage and Road pages for guidance.

Key	Value	Comment
Roads
highway	motorway	A restricted access major divided highway, normally with 2 or more running lanes plus emergency hard shoulder. Equivalent to the Freeway, Autobahn etc..
highway	motorway_link	The link roads (sliproads / ramps) leading to/from a motorway from/to a motorway or lower class highway. Normally with the same motorway restrictions.
highway	trunk	Important roads that aren't motorways. Typically maintained by central, not local government. Need not necessarily be a divided highway. In the UK, all green signed A roads are, in OSM, classed as 'trunk'.
highway	trunk_link	The link roads (sliproads / ramps) leading to/from a trunk road from/to a trunk road or lower class highway.
highway	primary	Administrative classification in the UK, generally linking larger towns.
highway	primary_link	The link roads (sliproads / ramps) leading to/from a primary road from/to a primary road or lower class highway.
highway	secondary	Administrative classification in the UK, generally linking smaller towns and villages
highway	tertiary	A "C" road in the UK. Generally for use on roads wider than 4 metres (13') in width, and for faster/wider minor roads that aren't A or B roads. In the UK, they tend to have dashed lines down the middle, whereas unclassified roads don't.
highway	unclassified	No administrative classification. Unclassified roads typically form the lowest form of the interconnecting grid network. Note: This is not a marker for roads where we still need to choose a highway tag (see `highway=road`).
highway	road	A road of unknown classification. This is intended as a temporary tag to mark a road until it has been properly surveyed. Once it has been surveyed, the classification should be updated to the appropriate value.
highway	residential	roads accessing or around residential areas but which are not a classified or unclassified highway.
highway	living_street	a street where pedestrians have priority over cars, children can play on the street, maximum speed is low. In the UK this is called "Home Zone".
highway	service	generally for access to a building, motorway service station, beach, campsite, industrial estate, business park, etc. This is also commonly used for access to parking and trash collection. Sometimes called an alley, particularly in the US.
highway	track	roads for agricultural use, gravel roads in the forest etc.; usually unpaved/unsealed but may occasionally apply to paved tracks as well, see discussion of "tracktype" below.
highway	pedestrian	For Roads , i.e. mainly/exclusively for pedestrians /Shopping Areas. Also for tagging squares and plazas, therefore add `area=yes`.
highway	services	A service station to get food and eat something, often found at motorways
highway	bus_guideway	A busway that is side guided "rails like", not suitable for other traffic. Please note: This is not a normal bus lane, use `access=no`, `psv=yes` instead!
Paths
highway	path	A non-specific or shared-use path
highway	cycleway	For designated cycleways, i.e. mainly/exclusively for bicycles. If pedestrians are allowed as well, you can indicate this by adding a `foot=yes` or `foot=designated` tag as appropriate. Equivalent to `highway=path` + `bicycle=designated`.
highway	footway	For designated footpaths, i.e. mainly/exclusively for pedestrians. This includes walking tracks and gravel paths. If bicycles are allowed as well, you can indicate this by adding a `bicycle=yes` tag. Equivalent to `highway=path` + `foot=designated`.
highway	bridleway	For horses, (in the UK, these are rights of way for pedestrians, horse-riders and cyclists). Equivalent to `highway=path` + `horse=designated`.
highway	byway	An unmade path/track which usually allows vehicles as well as foot, horse and cycle traffic (in the UK, there are byways which allow motor vehicles, and restricted byways which allow non-mechanically propelled vehicles)
highway	steps	For flights of steps (stairs) on footways. Use with `step_count=*` to indicate the number of steps
Intersection features
highway	mini_roundabout	Very small roundabouts only, larger ones should be `junction=roundabout`. In the UK, mini-roundabouts have a circular sign with a blue background, instead of the usual triangular sign Rendered as anti-clockwise by default. To render clockwise add the tag `direction=clockwise`.
highway	stop	A stop sign
highway	traffic_signals	Lights that control the traffic
highway	crossing	Pedestrians can cross a street here - e.g. zebra crossing
Barriers
highway	gate	Placed on a node on the way where the gate is located
highway	stile	Allow pedestrians to cross a wall or fence
highway	cattle_grid	Bars in the road surface that allow wheeled vehicles but not animals to cross. Sometimes known as a Texas Gate, even outside of Texas
highway	toll_booth	A road usage toll or fee is collected here
Other features
highway	incline	slope or hill, may encounter slow moving trucks. Corresponding proposal Proposed_features/Incline was rejected!
highway	incline_steep	Just as incline, only steeper. Corresponding proposal Proposed_features/Incline was rejected!
highway	ford	The road crosses a stream or river, vehicles must enter the water node
highway	bus_stop	A small bus stop. Larger stations should be tagged as `amenity=bus_station` instead.
highway	turning_circle	A turning circle is a rounded, widened area usually, but not necessarily, at the end of a road to facilitate easier turning of a vehicle.
highway	construction	For roads under construction, use with `construction=*`
construction	User Defined	Any linear highway object may be added, e.g. `construction=motorway`. Use with `highway=construction`
highway	emergency_access_point	Sign number which can be used to define you current position in case of an emergency `highway=emergency_access_point`. Use with `ref=NUMBER_ON_THE_SIGN`
highway	User Defined	See Tagwatch for more used values.
Junctions
junction	roundabout	This automatically implies `oneway=yes`, the oneway direction is defined by the sequential ordering of nodes within the Way. This applies on a way, tagged with `highway=*` already.
junction	User Defined	See Tagwatch or Key:junction for more used values.
highway	motorway_junction	Indicates a junction (UK) or exit (US) ref should be set to the exit number or junction identifier. (Some roads - e.g. the A14 - also carry junction numbers, so the tag may be encountered elsewhere despite its name)
Traffic calming
traffic_calming	yes	To tag road features that are designed to slow down traffic in residential areas.
traffic_calming	User Defined	See Tagwatch or Key:traffic_calming for more used values.
Service attributes
service	parking_aisle	A parking aisle is an area in a parking lot in between Parking space that vehicles can drive into and out of the parking spaces. Use with `highway=service`
service	driveway	A driveway is a service road leading to a residence or business, usually with private access. Use with `highway=service`
service	alley	An alley is a service road usually located between properties for access to utilities. Use with `highway=service`
service	User Defined	See Tagwatch or Key:service for more used values.

This table is a wiki template with a default description in English. Editable here.

Cycleway

Key	Value	Comment
cycleway	lane	A lane is a route that lies within the roadway
cycleway	track	A track is a route that is separate from the road.
cycleway	opposite_lane	lane in the opposite way (a "contraflow" lane)
cycleway	opposite_track	track in the opposite way (that is, separate from the road)
cycleway	opposite	just permitted to cycle in the opposite way (one way street except for cycles). Note - such streets are common in Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark, for example, but are rare in the UK (although they do exist): often, instead, actually the street is two-way as normal for its whole length except for the very short section past the no-entry sign at the end, where cycles are excepted from the no-entry by means of a short lane separated by an island. This is called a "cycle plug". In some places this has been represented as very short oneway Way at the end with an adjacent cycleway, forming a little triangle with the road they join to.
cycleway	User Defined	see Tagwatch site for some other common used values as well

This table is a wiki template with a default description in English. Editable here.

Tracktype

Key	Value	Comment
tracktype	grade1	paved track or heavily compacted hardcore.
tracktype	grade2	unpaved track; surface of gravel or densely packed dirt/sand.
tracktype	grade3	unpaved track; A mixture of hard materials and soft. Quite compact
tracktype	grade4	unpaved track; tire marks, with plant growth in between. Mostly dirt, but some hard materials, or compressed materials mixed in.
tracktype	grade5	unpaved track; subtle tire marks, lack of hardcore, Soft with low grip, subtle on the landscape.

This table is a wiki template with a default description in English. Editable here.

Waterway

Key	Value	Comment
waterway	river	For narrow rivers which will be rendered as a line. For larger rivers (defined as more than 12m across) see `waterway=riverbank` (Other languages).
waterway	riverbank	Used for larger rivers, to define an area between the opposite riverbanks.
waterway	canal	An artificial open waterway used for transportation, waterpower, or irrigation.(Other languages).
waterway	stream	a naturally-forming waterway that is too thin to be classed as a river. Maybe you can just jump over it.
waterway	drain	An artificial waterway for carrying storm water or industrial discharge.
waterway	dock	An 'enclosed' area of water used for loading, unloading, building or repairing ships.
waterway	lock_gate	A thing to raise/lower the water level for vessels, often found in canals.
waterway	turning_point	A place to turn the driving direction for vessels, where the boats are longer than the river/canal is wide.
waterway	boatyard	Boat yard - a place for constructing, repairing and storing vessels out of the water.
waterway	weir	A barrier built across a river, sometimes to divert water for industrial purposes. Water can still flow over the top.
waterway	dam	A wall built across a river or stream to impound the water. A dam normally does not have water flowing over the top of it.
mooring	yes/private/no	A length of bank where boats are explicitly permitted to moor.
waterway	User Defined

This table is a wiki template with a default description in English. Editable here.

Railway

Key	Value	Comment
Track
railway	rail	Full sized passenger or freight trains in the standard gauge for the country or state
railway	tram	One or two carriage rail vehicles, usually sharing motor road (Other languages)
railway	light_rail	Short/light passenger trains. Metro systems.
railway	subway	A passenger rail service running mostly underground.
railway	preserved	A railway running historic trains, usually a tourist attraction (changed to preserved from preserved_rail as "rail" is redundant).
railway	disused	A section of railway which is no longer used but where the track and infrastructure remains in place. See `disused=yes` for alternative tagging.
railway	abandoned	The course of a former railway which has been abandoned and the track and infrastucture removed. Designation not to be used if the feature has been turned into another use, eg cycleway.
railway	narrow_gauge	Narrow-gauge passenger or freight trains.
railway	monorail	A railway with only a single rail.
Service attributes
service	yard	Tracks within railway company operated marshalling yards
service	siding	Relatively short lengths of track, running parallel to (and connected to) a main route
service	spur	Relatively short lengths of track, built to give one company or entity access to the main line
Stops
railway	station	Railway station (Other languages).
railway	halt	A small station, may not have a platform, trains may only stop on request.
railway	tram_stop	A tram stop is a place where a passenger can embark / disembark a tram.
landuse	railway	Ground used around railways and railway-stations
Intersections
railway	crossing	A point where pedestrians may cross.
railway	level_crossing	A point where rails and roads cross.
railway	subway_entrance	The entrance to a subway station, usually going from surface to underground.
Rail-related features
railway	turntable	These are used for changing the direction that part of a train is pointing in.
railway	User Defined

Aeroway

Key	Value	Comment
aeroway	aerodrome	An Aerodrome (UK), Airport (US), see also `military=airfield`
aeroway	terminal	Airport passenger building
aeroway	helipad	Helicopter start/landing pad
aeroway	runway	A strip of land kept clear and set aside for aeroplanes to take off from and land on. (Other languages)
aeroway	taxiway	Where airplanes manouevre between runways and parking areas.
aeroway	apron	A place where planes are parked.
aeroway	gate	Used to mark the gate numbers at the airports.
aeroway	User Defined	see Tagwatch site for some other common used values as well

This table is a wiki template with a default description in English. Editable here.

Aerialway

Key	Value	Comment	Rendering
aerialway	cable_car	A cabin or gondola cable car run. This includes aerial tramways (just a pair of big cars) as well as gondolas (many cars in a looped cable)
aerialway	chair_lift	An open chairlift run. These have a single seat to sit on and are open to the outside air. Beginners may struggle to get off them without making a fool of themselves!
aerialway	drag_lift	An overhead tow-line for skiers and riders, known as a T-bar lift, with a T shaped bit which skiers shove between your legs. More difficult and uncomfortable for snowboarders. drag_lift would also cover more simple looped rope drag lifts, or loops of wire with handles to grab	same as chair_lift
aerialway	station	A station, where passengers can enter and/or leave the aerialway
aerialway	User Defined	see Tagwatch site for some other common used values as well

This table is a wiki template with a default description in English. Editable here.

Power

Key	Value	Comment
power	tower	For towers or pylons carrying high voltage electricity cables. Normally constructed from steel latticework. Should not be used for electricity or telephone cables carried on single wooden poles.
power	line	A way following the path of power cables.
power	station	A tag for electricity stations. Wires from power lines come in or go out here.
power	sub_station	A tag for electricity sub-stations. Smaller than a station. Could be a box near street.
power	generator	A place where power is generated. Use in combination with power_source
power	User Defined	see Tagwatch site for some other common used values as well
wires	*	Number of wires per power cable. "single" (1), "double" (2), "triple" (3) or "quad" (4)

This table is a wiki template with a default description in English. Editable here.

Man Made

Key	Value	Comment
man_made	beacon	Help guide navigators to their destinations
man_made	crane	a stationary, permanent crane, such as those at docks
man_made	gasometer	Gasometer in Wikipedia
man_made	lighthouse	Sends out a light beam to guide ships
man_made	pier	A "bridge into the ocean", usually for recreation
man_made	pipeline	A pipe for carrying various fluids, such as water, gas, sewage
man_made	reservoir_covered
man_made	surveillance	To mark places and buildings monitored by public or privat camera
man_made	survey_point	Triangulation pillars, geodetic vertices, and fixed equipment used by topographers (e.g. DGPS radio stations)
man_made	tower	A tall and often lean building or structure e.g. telecoms. Also see "Historic" below.
man_made	wastewater_plant	Facilities used to treat wastewater (known as sewage in some countries)
man_made	watermill	Watermill, mostly ancient and out of order
man_made	water_tower	A tower to store water in, usually found on hills beside or in a town
man_made	windmill	Windmill, mostly ancient and out of order, see `power=generator` in combination with `power_source=wind` for modern wind turbines
man_made	works	Industrial building to produce something
man_made	User Defined	see Tagwatch site for some other common used values as well
building	yes	General tag for buildings
building	User Defined	see Tagwatch site for some other common used values as well