Draw on a map
| Draw on a Map | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Author: | https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/User:Singiamtel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| License: | Proprietary (free;in-app purchases) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Platform: | Web | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Status: | Active | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Language: | English
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| Website: | https://drawonamap.com/
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Draw on a map is an app that uses OpenStreetMap for rendering a map and enable users to draw freehand annotations, lines, arrows, and other shapes directly on an interactive web map. Users can mark locations, sketch routes, highlight areas, and share the result instantly via a link or embed it on another website.
The tool exists to provide a fast, zero-setup alternative to account-heavy mapping platforms. It sits in the OpenStreetMap ecosystem by relying on OSM tiles as its default cartography and using the open-source OpenLayers library for map rendering. Its design philosophy is to lower the barrier for casual map annotation: no login, no download, no persistent server-side storage of drawings unless the user explicitly chooses to save a map.
Draw on a Map is intentionally minimal. Standard share links encode the drawing data directly in the URL, so the recipient sees the exact same view without any backend database involvement. It also works as a Progressive Web App (PWA), offers a full set of keyboard shortcuts, and provides an embeddable iframe version for blogs and CMSs.
Features
- Drawing tools - Freehand pen, straight line, arrow, circle (radius), and an eraser.
- Select and edit - Move, resize, or delete individual annotations; supports undo/redo.
- Search and locate - Search for places by name and jump to your current GPS location.
- Colors and sizing - Six preset swatches plus a custom color picker; adjustable brush size from 1 to 50 px.
- Share and embed - Copy a link that captures drawings, position, and zoom; generate an iframe snippet for external websites.
- Save maps - Optional sign-in to create persistent short links that can be updated over time.
- Keyboard shortcuts - Full shortcut support for tools (1–7), zoom, undo/redo, select all, and more.
- Mobile and PWA - Fully responsive; installable to home screen on mobile devices.
Usage
No installation is required. The app runs in any modern web browser.
1. Open drawonamap.com (https://drawonamap.com).
2. Select a drawing tool from the toolbar (freehand, line, arrow, or circle).
3. Pick a color and brush size.
4. Draw directly on the map; use the hand tool or hold Space to pan and zoom.
5. Click Share to copy a link, or Embed to get an iframe code.
A common use case is planning a meetup or explaining directions: search for a location, draw a circle around the area, add an arrow pointing to the exact spot, and send the link to a friend. The recipient sees the same view instantly, without creating an account.
Help
- FAQ – An in-app FAQ dialog covers drawing, sharing, embedding, shortcuts, and privacy.
- Contact – Email hello@drawonamap.com (mailto:hello@drawonamap.com) for bug reports, feature requests, or support.
Privacy Policy
https://drawonamap.com/privacy/