How to map data centers

Introduction

A data center is a building or facility used to house computer and network equipment.

This guide helps you contribute data center information to OpenStreetMap, also known as OSM. Whether you want to map it yourself or simply report it for others to handle, this guide will show you how.

Choose your contribution method

Before starting, decide how you want to contribute:

Map it yourself	Delegate to the community
You want to add or modify the data center on the map directly. From home: Armchair mapping using satellite imagery or notes (iD Editor) On-site: Field mapping using a mobile app (Vespucci or CoMaps)	You don't feel comfortable editing the map yet, or you just want to report something you saw. Leave a Note on the map for experienced mappers to handle later. Can be done from a computer (osm.org) or mobile (Vespucci or CoMaps).

No matter which option you choose, you will need to create an account first. To do so:

Go to openstreetmap.org and click "Sign Up" in the top right corner
OSM homepage with Signup button
Fill out the form with your information and verify your email
OSM Signup page
You're ready to get started!

Data collection methods

Before mapping, you need to identify data centers and gather information about them. One suggested method for this preliminary step is to consult external databases like DCWatch.

DCWatch

DCWatch maintains a database of data centers, primarily focused on France, with some coverage in other European countries (such as Luxembourg, Italy, etc.). You can learn more about their data collection process.

As an OpenStreetMap contributor, you can use DCWatch to:

Identify data centers that may not yet be mapped in OSM (especially within its covered regions).
Gather basic details (such as the operator name, facility name, or general status) to help guide your mapping or field survey.

Important note on technical data: While DCWatch is a useful reference for identifying facilities, you should exercise caution with highly specific technical data (such as total power capacity or IT floor area).

In OpenStreetMap, these data must follow the principle of Verifiability, meaning the information should be verifiable on the ground or through reliable, official sources. Avoid adding estimated technical figures to OSM.

Once you have identified a data center using DCWatch, you can proceed to map its geometry and verified tags using the armchair mapping or on-site mapping methods described below.

Map it yourself

Armchair mapping (from home)

Best for: Mapping data centers from your computer using various data sources.

You can perform armchair mapping using different sources of information:

From satellite imagery

This is the most common method for identifying and mapping data centers.

Quick Start:

Go to openstreetmap.org and click Edit.
OSM homepage with Edit button
Identify the data center (look for large AC units, generators).
Draw an Area around the building.
Search for "data center" or the operator's name (e.g., "Digital Realty") to apply tags.
Click Save and add a comment.

Need more details? See the Detailed guide: iD Editor below.

From Notes Review

This method allows you to map data centers that have been reported by other contributors through notes.

Quick Start:

Go to the Notes Review map filtered for #datacenter notes
Browse the map to find notes left by other mappers or from your own field surveys
Click on a note to read the details (operator name, reference, status, etc.)
Navigate to openstreetmap.org and click Edit
Use the information from the note to map the data center accurately:
- Draw the building area based on satellite imagery
- Apply the tags mentioned in the note
- Add source=note
Click Save with a comment like "Map data center from note"

Need more details? See the Detailed guide: iD Editor below.

On-site mapping (in the field)

Best for: Verifying data or gathering specific information while physically at the location.

Different mobile apps serve different purposes for on-site mapping:

Vespucci: Best for creating new areas (drawing the building footprint) and leaving notes.
CoMaps: Best for leaving notes. (Note: cannot create new areas).

Quick Start (Vespucci for new areas):

Open Vespucci and navigate to the location.
Unlock the map, tap "+" and select "Add area".
Draw the building footprint.
Search for the "Data Center" preset or the specific operator.
Upload your changes.

Need more details? See the Detailed guide: Mobile apps below.

Important: As drawing building footprints accurately on a small mobile screen can be difficult, you will mainly leave notes for other contributors, or even for yourself(armchair mapping), so they can correct or edit the information.

You can check data centers detailled tags on Open Datacenter Map. Or even track specific notes related to data centers using Notes Review map filtered for data centers.

Delegate to the community (Leave a note)

Best for: Reporting a data center, a construction site, or an error without editing the map yourself.

When you leave a note, other mappers will review it and update the map. To help them find your note easily, always include the hashtag #datacenter.

You can track these specific notes using the Notes Review map filtered for data centers.

Leaving a note from a computer (osm.org)

Go to openstreetmap.org.
Navigate to the location of the data center.
Click the Notes icon (speech bubble) in the top right menu,a "New Note" form will then appear on the left.
Click on the map where the data center is located.
Type your message and include #datacenter. Example: "New data center under construction, operator appears to be Example Corp. #datacenter"
Click Add note.

Leaving a note from a mobile app

Tip: Before leaving a note about missing tags, you can check the current detailed tags of the building on Open Datacenter Map to avoid duplicates.

With Vespucci:

Navigate to the location and tap the "lock icon" to enable edit mode.
Tap the "+" button and select "Add map note".
Tap the location on the map, type your message (e.g., "Missing operator tag for this data center #datacenter"), include #datacenter, and submit.

With CoMaps:

Navigate to the location.
Select the location and tap "Add Place to OpenStreetMap" .
Search "note". Since this isn't a category, the interface will offer you the option to leave a note.
Describe what needs to be added, include #datacenter and submit.

How to map specific situations

How to map a data center under construction

If the building is being built but not yet operational:

Draw the area (or select the existing building).
Search "Building Under Construction" preset or search "Construction Area" preset.
Add this mandatory tag construction:telecom=data_center
Add additional tags and their source if known:

opening_date=* - Indicates the approximated date in the future when a construction will be finished
source:*=* - Used with the corresponding key, it indicates the source of the value

Important: You can prefix some keys with construction:=* if these elements are only valid for the construction period. For example, construction:operator=* refers to the contractor responsible for building the data center, but not the owner or operator.

Need more details? See the Detailed guide: iD Editor below.

How to map a planned or proposed data center

If the data center is announced but construction hasn't started:

Create a Node (point) at the center of the planned site.
Manually add the mandatory tag proposed:telecom=data_center.
Add additional tags and their source if known:

opening_date=* - Indicates the approximated date in the future when a construction will be finished
source:*=* - Used with the corresponding key, it indicates the source of the value

Important: The mapping of the proposed features is quite controversial, as OSM aims to represent concrete, already visible features.

Need more details? See the Detailed guide: iD Editor below.

How to add specific or custom tags

OpenStreetMap is a free and open project: you can add almost any tag you want. However, tags should follow the principle of Verifiability, meaning another mapper should be able to verify the information on the ground or through reliable sources.

If a tag you need is not in the preset dropdown:

Go to the Tags category.
In the "Add new tag" field, type the key (e.g., old_name=*, website=*, alt_name=* ).
Add the corresponding value.
Submit your changes.

For rules on naming and creating tags, please refer to the Tags and How We Map wiki pages.

Reference Guides

Detailed guide: iD Editor

Complete step-by-step walkthrough for armchair mapping.

1. Identify the data center

Look for visual clues on aerial imagery: large cooling systems, backup generators, limited parking, or proximity to electrical substations.

Note: Select the appropriate background layer for your region for better accuracy.

Aerial view of a data center with another background layer

2. Draw the building

Click the "Area" tool.
Click around the perimeter of the building to create a polygon.
Double-click or press Enter to complete the shape.

3. Choose a preset

A Preset is a predefined set of tags(key:value) that simplifies mapping.

Case A: Unknown operator: Search for "data center" or "telecom" and select "Data Center".

Then you will get these tags:

Prefilled tags from data center feature type

Case B: Known operator (NSI): Type the operator name (e.g., "Digital Realty"). iD will suggest a preset from the NSI, which automatically applies recommended tags.

Then you will get these tags:

Prefilled tags from Digital Realty operator preset

Note: Editors use presets from the Name Suggestion Index (NSI) to help you add data centers with consistent tagging. The NSI maintains a canonical list of common brands and features.

4. Customize tags

If known, fill in essential fields:

Name - The official name of the data center (e.g., "Equinix PA3")
Operator - The company operating the facility (e.g., "Equinix", "Digital Realty")
Reference - The data center's reference code (e.g., "PA3")

Note: In OSM, it is not mandatory to fill in all the tags. But some tag are, such as telecom=data_center to describe a data center.

5. Add additional information (optional)

Click "Add field" to add Address, Website, Phone, or manually add custom tags in the Tags view.

6. Save and upload

Click "Save", add a descriptive comment (e.g., "Add data center: Equinix PA3"), add a source if known( aerial imagery, survey), and click "Upload".

Detailed guide: Mobile apps (Vespucci)

Complete step-by-step walkthrough for creating areas.

1. Setup and Navigation

Install Vespucci from Google Play or F-Droid and grant necessary permissions.
Vespucci installation page on Google Play Store
Select the appropriate background layer for your region.

Navigate to the location using the search bar or map.

2. Create a new area

Tap the "lock icon" to enable edit mode.
Tap the "+" button and select "Add area".
Tap on the map to place vertices around the building, then complete the area.

3. Apply presets and tags

Search for "Telecom", "Data center", or the specific operator name.

Select the preset and customize the tags.

Name - The official name of the data center (e.g., "Equinix PA3")
Operator - The company operating the facility (e.g., "Equinix", "Digital Realty")
Reference - The data center's reference code (e.g., "PA3")

4. Add additional tags

Tap on "clock icon" to close edit mode. Then long click on your area to display "Element info".
Preset Digital Realty, details view
Click "Edit tags" to add some more. The system will complete you if it's a regular Key.

Preset Digital Realty with additional tags

5. Upload changes

Tap the "Upload" icon.
Upload button options
Add a Changeset comment and a source, then validate.

Additional useful tags

Key	Value	Description
`owner=*`	[owner]	Owner of the facility (if different from operator)
`website=*`	[URL]	Official website
`phone=*`	[phone number]	Contact phone number
`email=*`	[email]	Contact email
`addr:=`	[address]	Address details such as city, housenumber, ...
`source=*`	[source]	Data source (e.g., "Bing", "survey")
`wikidata=*`	[QID]	Wikidata identifier
`wikipedia=*`	[article]	Wikipedia article link

Visualizing data center mappings

Once data centers are mapped in OpenStreetMap, you can visualize the results on Open Datacenter Map. This specialized platform is entirely dedicated to showcasing data center infrastructure.

Powered directly by OpenStreetMap data, this map provides worldwide coverage and is updated 1 to 2 times per day, ensuring the information remains relatively fresh. The interface is available in both English and French, and offers intuitive tools to search for facilities by operator, name, or address, as well as to filter the results by their current status (e.g., operational, under construction, proposed) or even by operators.

Checking this map is highly recommended before starting your own contribution, as it is an excellent way to verify if a data center has already been mapped and properly tagged.

How to map data centers

Contents

Introduction

Choose your contribution method