Using OpenStreetMap

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New ways to use OpenStreetMap were discussed during the State of the Map 2019.

Here we present you some instructions on how you can use OpenStreetMap. It's an open project, so feel free to discover new ways which are not yet documented here!

If you search for a specific ready-to-use service based on OpenStreetMap, or you want to see an overview of what people already did with OpenStreetMap, please visit Applications of OpenStreetMap.

There is a special page on how to use OpenStreetMap without internet connection.

License and safety disclaimer

You can use OpenStreetMap mapping and data without charge subject to two conditions; firstly that you attribute your use of OpenStreetMap appropriately and secondly that you share any corrections or improvements back with the project as appropriate.

OpenStreetMap is not a complete or accurate map of the world and should not be used in such a manner that deficiencies, omissions, inaccuracies or errors could result in death, loss or injury. See here: Disclaimer.

It is particularly important to realize that the maps might not be reliable. The maps are an iterative, ongoing work-in-progress. We are aiming to produce maps which can be relied upon, equally well, or better than other maps. The openly-editable wiki nature of this mapping system may help us towards this goal, however it may also mean that there will always be some inaccuracies. You should make your own judgement about the accuracy of our maps. Always use our maps in conjunction with your senses, official sources and your common sense.

Maps

Ready-made online maps

There are many specialized online-maps which use OpenStreetMap as data source. Some examples:

Others may be listed on the OSM Services page, or under the Slippy Map and Web Software categories.

Export images from OpenStreetMap

Using the export function of our world map you can easily get snapshots.

To get a snapshot from the OpenStreetMap world map as an image file, use the export function.

Maps on your website

Example of a website embedding the OpenStreetMap world map.

You can use the OpenStreetMap world map on your website, either as a static map image or with embedded HTML. If you deploy your own slippy map, things can get much more customized.

Maps on your GPS device

If you want to have a map based on OpenStreetMap on your GPS device, visit GPS Maps From OSM Data or OSM Map On Garmin for Garmin device.

Maps on your computer or mobile phone

See the Mobile Device and Desktop software pages.

Offline

See Using OpenStreetMap offline.

Create your own map

To create your own map, you need to get much more technical. The Software development section below gives you more details.

3D maps

You can get three dimensional city models from OpenStreetMap.

Usage examples

See subpage map examples.

GIS software

Main article: GIS software

We try to document any special interoperability with OpenStreetMap for each GIS software. Try a search with the form on the top right of this page for your particular GIS software, or browse our Category:GIS software. There is also open source GIS software working together with OpenStreetMap.

There is also a whole bunch of tools converting map data from/ to OpenStreetMap data, including support for the popular ESRI Shapefiles and PostGIS format.

It is possible to download portions of OpenStreetMap's raw data (in .osm) that can be exported to a wide variety of formats (including SHP, POSTGIS, geojson) for many purposes, including use in professional GIS software.

Software

There is a wide variety of software available using OSM data and services. See Software page.

Software development

Component overview of the OpenStreetMap software.
Main article: Develop

There are general help pages for software developers using OpenStreetMap:

If you have questions, ideas or just want to meet fellow developers, contact the OpenStreetMap development community. We also listed some books related to software development with OpenStreetMap.

You may also wish to see the list of other projects collecting free geodata.

Web applications

It's easy to use data sources that use OpenStreetMap data within a web application. From Javascript, common ways to do this include using Leaflet or OpenLayers. Lots of other options exist for other frameworks too, including commercial ones that work in a similar way to commercial offerings that work with non-free data. See switch2osm.org for more details.

Libraries such as Leaflet and OpenLayers will need data sources that use OpenStreetMap data (e.g., a source of tiles to display). If you want to create your own data source that uses OpenStreetMap data, see switch2osm.org. Other options also exist, for example for vector tiles rather than raster.

Education

Students learning the OpenStreetMap editing process, giving an introduction to GIS during a course at a university in London.
Main article: Education

OpenStreetMap has created a unique curriculum that is focused on introducing the topics that OSM addresses: mapping, open source technologies, crowdsourcing and community efforts. It is geared towards university level students. Further, OpenStreetMap has several open problems which would make good student projects. These are items that need researching and "longer-term" issues which could be worked on by students as a project separate from the core open source development progress happening within the community.

Research

Main article: Research

At the conference SotM-EU 2011, Muki Haklay gave a talk with advice to academics interested in OSM and the video is available online. See our Research page for details of academic research work.

Getting help

Main article: Contact_channels

OpenStreetMap is a community: users work together and try to help each other. (Well, nearly always.) For help, and for other things, there are multiple ways to connect with people. Comprehensive list here.

You may find the Glossary helpful for specialist OSM language. Feel free 'pay it forward' and add to the list as you learn things.