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      • How did I make that?
        • Apollo 11 Landing
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      • Creating 3D Symbols for GIS Applications
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      • Creating a Digital Terrain Model (DTM)
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      • Visualising a road gradient using OSMM Highways
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  • Deep Dive
    • Introduction to address matching
    • Guide to routing for the Public Sector
      • Part 1: Guide to routing
      • Part 2: Routing software and data options
      • Part 3: Building a routable network
    • Unlocking the Power of Geospatial Data
    • Using Blender for Geospatial Projects
    • A Guide to Coordinate Systems in Great Britain
      • Myths about coordinate systems
      • The shape of the Earth
      • What is position?
        • Types of coordinates
        • We need a datum
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      • Modern GNSS coordinate systems
        • Realising WGS84 with a TRF
        • The WGS84 broadcast TRF
        • The International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF)
        • The International GNSS Service (IGS)
        • European Terrestrial Reference System 1989 (ETRS89)
      • Ordnance Survey coordinate systems
        • ETRS89 realised through OS Net
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        • The future of British mapping coordinate systems
        • The future of British mapping coordinate systems
      • From one coordinate system to another: geodetic transformations
        • What is a geodetic transformation?
        • Helmert datum transformations
        • National Grid Transformation OSTN15 (ETRS89–OSGB36)
        • National Geoid Model OSGM15 (ETRS89-Orthometric height)
        • ETRS89 to and from ITRS
        • Approximate WGS84 to OSGB36/ODN transformation
        • Transformation between OS Net v2001 and v2009 realisations
      • Transverse Mercator map projections
        • The National Grid reference convention
      • Datum, ellipsoid and projection information
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      • Helmert transformation worked example
      • Further information
  • Code
    • Ordnance Survey APIs
    • Mapping
    • Routing with pgRouting
      • Getting started with OS MasterMap Highways and pgRouting
      • Getting started with OS MasterMap Highways Network - Paths and pgRouting
      • Getting started with OS NGD Transport Theme and pgRouting
      • Getting started with OS NGD Transport Path features and pgRouting
  • RESOURCES
    • 🆕Data Visualisation External Resources
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  1. Tutorials
  2. GeoDataViz

How to use the OS Maps API

PreviousHow to download and use OS stylesheetsNextCreating a bespoke style in Maputnik

Last updated 5 months ago

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OS Maps API Overview

The OS Maps API is a really simple way to access detailed base mapping for your project for free! All you need is an Account.

The OS Maps API allows you to integrate Ordnance Survey’s up-to-date, detailed maps in your apps (including GIS applications), enabling you and your customers to make location-based decisions without you having to managing complex datasets yourself.

You can choose the style that suits your needs best, whether you need the detail of OS MasterMap or our iconic Leisure maps. There are four styles available: Road, Outdoor, Light and Leisure. Each map style contains OS OpenData and Premium data layers.

If you simply want a basemap to overlay other data on top of, we’d recommend using the Light style.

The detail of OS MasterMap Topography Layer – available light, outdoor and road styles.

Getting started with the OS Maps API

Please see our tutorial on ‘’ to see how to set up a free OS Data Hub Account.

Once you’ve set up your Data Hub account, you’re ready to get started! Detailed step-by-step guides for how to set up the OS Maps API in QGIS, ArcOnline, ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, Cadcorp SIS and MapInfo Pro can be found in the Getting Started Guide here:

Downloading and using data from the OS Data Hub
OS Maps API | Getting Started | Get a Maps API Key | OS Data Hub
Ordnance Survey Data Hub
Light style
Outdoor style
Road style
Leisure style
Ordnance Survey MasterMap Topography Layer