How do I download orthoimagery products and what are the available formats?
Download orthoimagery (georectified aerial photographs) using EarthExplorer, which has the full catalog of USGS orthoimagery and aerial photography, or The National Map downloader, which has NAIP orthoimagery only.
- Products Overview
- Format varies by type of orthoimagery: Native format, Georeferenced Tagged Image File Format (GeoTIFF) or compressed 10:1 JPEG2000
- National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) orthoimagery
- Tutorial videos
- Format: compressed 10:1 JPEG2000
A NAIP orthoimage is also included as an optional layer in the PDF format of digital topographic maps published after 2009 (US Topos).
Related Content
How do I find, download, or order topographic maps?
What is a digital orthophoto quadrangle (DOQ) or orthoimage?
Are the scanned aerial photographic images georectified?
How often is orthoimagery in The National Map updated and what are the acquisition dates?
What sources were used for imagery in The National Map services?
How can I download orthoimagery in bulk?
Why does my orthoimagery search on The National Map return multiple tiles for downloading?
Is there a cost for aerial photograph products?
The National Map—New data delivery homepage, advanced viewer, lidar visualization
As one of the cornerstones of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Geospatial Program, The National Map is a collaborative effort among the USGS and other Federal, State, and local partners to improve and deliver topographic information for the Nation. The National Map is featuring direct links to new and improved GIS data access utilities...
Digital orthoimagery base specification V1.0
The resolution requirement for orthoimagery in support of the The National Map of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is 1 meter. However, as the Office of Management and Budget A-16 designated Federal agency responsible for base orthoimagery, the USGS National Geospatial Program (NGP) has developed this base specification to include higher...
Rufe, Philip P.
The National Map - Orthoimagery
Orthorectified digital aerial photographs and satellite images of 1-meter (m) pixel resolution or finer make up the orthoimagery component of The National Map. The process of orthorectification removes feature displacements and scale variations caused by terrain relief and sensor geometry. The result is a combination of the image characteristics...
Mauck, James; Brown, Kim; Carswell, William J.
Aerial Photo Scan Reveals Rare Image of Two Airplanes in Flight
Every work day at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center, contractor Mike Austad pulls up a chair and begins scanning aerial photographs of the Earth’s surface into the massive public database that is EarthExplorer.
Hazards Data Distribution System Releases Thousands of Aerial Images of Kilauea Impact
The eruptive behavior of the Kilauea volcano that began in May 2018 on Hawaii’s Big Island has created an unparalleled opportunity for understanding volcanic systems.
USGS National Map Orthoimagery Map Services Transition and Other Map Service Changes
As part of The National Map transition to cloud hosting, several of the National Map NAIP Orthoimagery Services will be provided under new URLs.
Before and After Photos: SE Beach Dunes Lost to Hurricane Matthew
New low-altitude aerial photos of Southeastern beaches taken before and after Hurricane Matthew passed offshore show a new storm-cut inlet, and roads, dunes and structures lost.
Orthoimagery, HRO Data, Seattle
Portion of 2012, 0.3 meter High Resolution Orthoimage data near Lake Union, Seattle, Wash.
High Resolution Orthoimagery - Fishermans Wharf - San Francisco, CA
Fishermans Wharf - San Francisco, CA - 0.30 meter resolution - February 24, 2015
OrthoImage layer in a US Topo Map of Washington, D.C.
OrthoImage layer in a US Topo Map of Washington, D.C.
Pole Creek Orthophoto
This example is from data collected around the 2012 Pole Creek fire in Oregon.
Aerial Photo Single Frames B/W, Color, CIR
The Single Frame Records collection includes black-and-white, natural color, and color infrared aerial photographs as depicted by these images of the Napa River Bridge in Vallejo, California.
Aerial Photograph vs. Orthoimage
Comparison of an aerial photograph and an orthophoto (orthoimage) from the Tenth Legion quadrangle in Virginia near the town of Arkton. The aerial photo shows a straight pipeline that is distorted by displacements caused by camera tilting and terrain relief (topography). The orthophoto removes the effects of tilt and relief and shows the true, straight path of the pipeline
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Before and after images of coastal change caused by Dorian in NC
The Longpoint Cabin Camp in Cape Lookout National Seashore was heavily impacted by Hurricane Dorian’s waves and surge. All of the cabins were damaged and one pavilion is gone altogether. The area is now inaccessible due to the cut from the harbor to the cabins. These cuts were likely formed when surge flowed over the island from the sound side. The dunes in front of the
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Images from HDDS Explorer
Various images from HDDS Explorer including a cyclone, fire, flood, tornado, earthquake, and volcano
National Agriculture Imagery Program aerial photograph (2014)
National Agriculture Imagery Program aerial photograph (2014) of part of the Upper Missouri River near Poplar, Montana. The river is flowing from left to right. The complex channel may promote retention of boats as well as drifting pallid sturgeon larvae.