3D Elevation Program Standards and Specifications
Standards and specifications – what exactly are they?
Zion National Park, Utah
Lidar derived digital elevation model
Flatirons, Boulder, Colorado
3D rendering, orthoimagery draped over lidar DEM
Alaska Ifsar
5 meter shaded relief near Anchorage derived from interferometric radar
The 3DEP products and services available through The National Map consist of standard digital elevation models (DEMs) at various horizontal resolutions, elevation source (lidar) and associated datasets, and web applications and visualization services. Products of the 3D Elevation Program are built upon the most current applicable standards for geospatial data.
Lidar Base Specification
The Lidar Base Specification (LBS) is the source of requirements for collections under the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The latest version of the specification is LBS 2024 rev. A, released in January 2024.
3DEP Spatial Metadata
The Work unit Extent Spatial Metadata is a good source of information for current lidar data availability and basic information about lidar projects.
Topographic Data Quality Levels
The concept of topographic quality levels (QLs) was originally defined in the National Enhanced Elevation Assessment report by Dewberry and further defined in the 3DEP Lidar Base Specification (LBS).
3DEP Product Standards
3DEP products are documented using the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) content standard for geospatial metadata. 3DEP products are searchable collections through the Data.gov Open Government Initiative. Elevation products are provided in formats that are fully compliant with Executive Order 12906, OMB Circular A-16, OMB Circular A130 , and OMB Circular A-119.
If you encounter problems or require more information about these standards, please contact National Map Help.
Elevation Specification Resources
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Lidar Base Specification Online Lidar Base Specification Online
The Lidar Base Specification (LBS) is the source of requirements for collections under the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The latest version of the specification is LBS 2025 rev. A, released in June 2025. See below for previous versions.
Lidar Base Specification Revision Status Lidar Base Specification Revision Status
This page has tables outlining revision requests and their status for each version of the Lidar Base Specification. Click on the revision request highlighted in the table to read a detailed description of the revision. The first table displays revisions currently under consideration to be published in the next version of the specification.
Lidar Error Dictionary Lidar Error Dictionary
The purpose of this dictionary is to provide standardized language to describe commonly encountered errors associated with lidar datasets submitted to the USGS data validation unit for ingestion into the National Map. This document will improve communication between 3D Elevation Program operations personnel, the project’s point of contact, contributors, partners, and contractors.
Lidar Error Dictionary part 2 Lidar Error Dictionary part 2
The purpose of this dictionary is to provide standardized language to describe commonly encountered errors associated with lidar datasets submitted to the USGS data validation unit for ingestion into the National Map. This document will improve communication between 3D Elevation Program operations personnel, the project’s point of contact, contributors, partners, and contractors.
3DEP Known Issues 3DEP Known Issues
Learn more about errors and/or corrections related to 3DEP Digital Elevation Models.
3D Elevation Program (3DEP) Vertical Accuracy Error Dictionary 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) Vertical Accuracy Error Dictionary
The purpose of this dictionary is to provide standardized language to describe commonly encountered errors associated with Light Detection and Ranging (lidar) survey points submitted to USGS Elevation Operations. This document is intended to improve communication between 3D Elevation Program operations, the project’s point of contact, contractors, contributors, and partners. Please note this list
USGS Templates and Examples to Meet Lidar Current Standards USGS Templates and Examples to Meet Lidar Current Standards
The Lidar Base Specification ensures that all data published through USGS is consistent and accurate. Templates are provided on this page to be viewed and utilized to meet USGS requirements for fomatting in specific standards.