How do I find, download, or order topographic maps?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been the primary civilian mapping agency of the United States since 1879. The best known USGS maps are the 1:24,000-scale topographic maps, also known as 7.5-minute quadrangles.
Download all dates and scales of USGS topographic maps free of charge from the following applications or order paper copies of all dates through the USGS Store. This includes both current US Topo maps (computer generated every 3 years since 2009) and Historical topographic maps (produced by hand until 2009). Most applications have an option for toggling on map indices showing an outline of all the maps, though you must zoom in to see the lines:
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Map Locator on the USGS Store -- Search and download free digital maps in GeoPDF format or order paper maps. This is the only USGS site for ordering paper maps.
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TopoView -- The largest selection of digital options. Download free digital maps in GeoPDF, GeoTIFF, JPG, and KMZ formats.
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Advanced users can also use The National Map and the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) to download digital topographic maps.
The online USGS Store is the only site for ordering paper topographic maps. Use the Store’s Map Locator or the Keyword Search box in the upper right.
Learn more:
- Video lesson for using the Map Locator
- Video lesson for using TopoView
- USGS Historical Topographic Map Explorer (USGS & esri)
- Topographic Map Symbols
Related Content
Where can I find indexes of USGS topographic maps?
What is a topographic map?
How do I get a full-scale plot of a 1:24,000-scale (7.5-minute) topographic map?
How current are US Topo maps?
Are USGS topographic maps copyrighted?
How accurate are US Topo maps, and why don't they have an accuracy statement?
Can I still get the older topographic maps?
How do US Topo maps differ from historical USGS topographic maps?
Can I get a bulk order of USGS topographic maps in PDF format for a state or the entire country?
Scanning and georeferencing historical USGS quadrangles
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Geospatial Program is scanning published USGS 1:250,000-scale and larger topographic maps printed between 1884, the inception of the topographic mapping program, and 2006. The goal of this project, which began publishing the Historical Topographic Map Collection in 2011, is to provide access to a digital...
Fishburn, Kristin A.; Davis, Larry R.; Allord, Gregory J.
US Topo—Topographic maps for the Nation
Building on the success of 125 years of mapping, the U.S. Geological Survey created US Topo, a georeferenced digital map produced from The National Map data. US Topo maps are designed to be used like the traditional 7.5-minute quadrangle paper topographic maps for which the U.S. Geological Survey is so well known. However, in contrast to paper-...
Fishburn, Kristin A.; Carswell, William J.
Elevations and Distances
Photographs and other images of the Earth taken from the air and from space show a great deal about the planet's landforms, vegetation, and resources. Aerial and satellite images, known as remotely sensed images, permit accurate mapping of land cover and make landscape features understandable on regional, continental, and even global scales....
Topographic map symbols
Interpreting the colored lines, areas, and other symbols is the first step in using topographic maps. Features are shown as points, lines, or areas, depending on their size and extent. For example, individual houses may be shown as small black squares. For larger buildings, the actual shapes are mapped. In densely built-up areas, most individual...
Map Scales
The proportion chosen for a particular map is its scale. Selecting the appropriate scale depends on the size of the sheet of paper and the accurate placement of features. Ground area, rivers, lakes, roads, distances between features, and so on must be shown proportionately smaller than they really are.
Finding Your Way with Map and Compass
A topographic map tells you where things are and how to get to them, whether you're hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, or just interested in the world around you. These maps describe the shape of the land. They define and locate natural and manmade features like woodlands, waterways, important buildings, and bridges. They show the distance between...
Maps for America: cartographic products of the U.S. Geological Survey and others
"Maps for America" was originally published in 1979 as a Centennial Volume commemorating the Geological Survey's hundred years of service (1879 - 1979) in the earth sciences. It was an eminently fitting Centennial Year publication, for, since its establishment, the Geological Survey has continuously carried on an extensive program of mapping to...
Thompson, Morris M.
Historical Maps at Your Fingertips
Earlier this month, the USGS launched “TopoView 2.1”, an enhancement to the current popular TopoView mapping service that lets users discover, interact, and download historical USGS topographic maps scans.
Finding Yourself Outdoors
Updated USGS digital topographic maps feature more trails and other recreation points of interest
Story Map - Topographic Maps for the Nation
The USGS National Geospatial Program has released an interactive Story Map giving viewers an overview of the US Topo map program
Mapping the National Parks
The national parks of the United States are often compared to, and indeed inspire, works of art. In fact, the USGS has been regularly contributing new and updated works of art for the national parks—maps.
Lesson 9a: Accessing US Topo and Historical USGS Topographic Maps
In this lesson, we will discuss the USGS Store and how it can be used to access the US Topo and historical USGS Topographic maps. Specifically, this lesson will talk about the USGS Store, both where it’s accessed and what’s available at the store, as well as how you can locate and download free topographic maps through the store.
1951 USGS legacy topographic map of the Monson West, ME
1951 USGS legacy topographic map of the Monson West (Maine) quadrangle, 1:62,500 scale.
