Maps and Mapping
How do I find, download, or order topographic maps?
What types of elevation datasets are available, what formats do they come in, and where can I download them?
What is a Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle (DOQ) or an orthoimage?
The USGS provides the mapping and digital geospatial foundation for the Nation.
Are US Topo products available for Alaska?
Yes, US Topo products are available for all of Alaska. Publication of 1:25,000-scale US Topo maps in Alaska began in 2013. The production schedule is determined by availability of IFSAR elevation data and SPOT imagery provided by the Alaska Statewide Digital Mapping Initiative . To see an index map of publication dates for US Topos in Alaska, go to the National Map Downloader . Put a checkmark...
What is a GeoPDF®?
A GeoPDF is a georeferenced PDF file, meaning that it is a Portable Document Format (PDF) file with added information that relates the image to coordinates on a map. GeoPDF files can be used as plain PDF files but have the added capability of some limited mapping functions (turn any map layers on and off, obtain XY coordinates for a location, measure length, and more). The USGS currently produces...
Are USGS topographic maps copyrighted?
All topographic maps produced by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are in the public domain and are not copyrighted except for the following three cases that apply only to US Topo maps (produced 2009-present): Most maps in the period 2010-2016 contain commercially licensed road data (see note below). Orthoimages in Alaska are commercially licensed. Orthoimages in Hawaii were commercially licensed...
Why was the PDF file format selected for US Topo maps?
US Topo maps are intended to serve map users who are not GIS specialists. The priority design objectives were to create a traditional topographic map as a digital document that could be displayed on a typical computer without specialized software and printed at map scale without specialized software or expertise. We believe PDF is the only format in common use that satisfies these requirements...
Why are mountain peak elevations not shown on US Topo maps?
Historical USGS topographic maps (produced until 2006) included spot elevation labels on mountain peaks, local high points, and sometimes well defined points such as crossroads. These elevations were usually measured either by field survey triangulation or photogrammetric triangulation. Their average accuracy was on the rough order of +/- 10 feet, though accuracy varied with method, terrain, and...
How accurate are US Topo maps, and why don't they have an accuracy statement?
US Topo maps are as accurate as the data sources used to make them, but because these sources are many and varied, it is not possible to make a single simple statement that the map as a whole meets a particular level of accuracy. US Topo maps, therefore, do not have a traditional accuracy statement in the map collar. Accuracy information for individual data sources is included in the metadata file...
Are the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) section lines on US Topo maps a legal record?
US Topo maps are not legal documents and the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) representation is not legally authoritative. The sections, townships, and ranges of the PLSS that are shown on US Topo maps are derived from GIS data from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in cooperation with the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC). Learn More: FGDC Cadastral Subcommittee (information and links)
Why don’t the boundaries on US Topo maps match and why are some missing?
Improving boundaries for USGS topographic maps is an ongoing effort. Boundaries have been added to computer-generated US Topo maps (published 2009-present) as digital versions become available: 2009-2010 – The U.S. national boundary was the only boundary shown. 2011 – State and county boundaries added using TIGER/Line data from the U.S. Census Bureau . 2011 – U.S. Forest Service areas added. 2013...
Your map has road/address errors and people can't find my house
This issue is usually about maps on GPS devices, smart phone applications, or commercial online maps. The USGS does not provide road or address information for those products, almost all of which use road data from commercial sources. The USGS has no relationship with those companies. The USGS mission does not include the collection and maintenance of road data or addresses. Roads and other...
I found an error on a map. How can I report it and when will you fix it?
There are different answers to this question for different products. In all cases, we must know what product you're addressing. Please read the following guidelines and email error reports to tnm_help@usgs.gov : US Topo Maps (topographic maps published 2009-present) Please include the following information: The map title, state, and date (from the title block in the lower right corner)...
Why are there no power lines, pipelines, libraries, trails, etc. on US Topo maps?
The original USGS 7.5-minute (1:24,000 scale) Historical Topographic Maps (produced 1945-1992) included feature classes that are not yet shown on US Topo maps (produced 2009-present). Examples include pipelines, power lines, survey markers, many types of boundaries, and many types of buildings. The USGS no longer does field verification or other primary data collection for these feature classes...
Can I still get the older topographic maps?
Yes. Topographic maps originally published as paper documents between 1884-2006 have been scanned and published as the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection . Download our historical topographic maps and our more current US Topo maps (published 2009-present) free of charge using TopoView (GeoPDF, GeoTIFF, JPEG, and KMZ formats) or using the USGS Store’s Map Locator (GeoPDF format). Order...