> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.os.uk/os-apis/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.os.uk/os-apis/accessing-os-apis/os-features-api.md). # OS Features API {% hint style="info" icon="map-location" %} #### Have you considered the benefits of the OS National Geographic Database? OS Features API is anticipated to [reach End of Life in summer 2030](https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/products/roadmap) and will be retired. Its replacement, [OS NGD API – Features API](https://docs.os.uk/os-apis/accessing-os-apis/os-ngd-api-features), is built on the latest [OGC API - Features](https://ogcapi.ogc.org/features/) standard and offers you all of the [benefits of the OS National Geographic Database](https://docs.os.uk/osngd/introduction-to-os-ngd/os-ngd-key-benefits-to-customers) (OS NGD), including: * Increased data update frequency (up-to-daily updates for many datasets) * Richer attribution * Improved data structures * A continuous series of ongoing data enhancements [Find out how to get started using OS NGD API – Features](/os-apis/accessing-os-apis/os-ngd-api-features/getting-started.md). {% endhint %} ## What is OS Features API? Use OS Features API to filter OS data and receive exactly what you need, as and when you need it. Buildings, roads, rivers, hospitals, playing fields, greenspaces – there are many data layers available. There are lots of options for applying spatial filters (for example, Intersects), attribute filters and even combinations. For example, you can select all buildings within a specified area of interest (a polygon feature). Benefit from current and historical detailed and accurate data to help you generate new location-based insight. OS Features API contains OS MasterMap Topography Layer and much more, and can remove the need to download, store and manage large and complex datasets. OS Features API gives you direct access to the detailed geometries and rich attribution of individual features. It is based on the [OGC standard Web Feature Service (](https://ogcapi.ogc.org/features/)WFS[^1][)](https://ogcapi.ogc.org/features/) so is interoperable with lots of GIS software and web mapping libraries. {% tabs %} {% tab title="Features" %} **Detailed geospatial data** Provides online access to detailed OS MasterMap data, including buildings, roads and land. **Seamless integration** Uses the Web Features Service (WFS) standard for interoperability with GIS applications. **Rich attribution information** Direct access to detailed attribution to inform decision making. **Advanced querying** Allows filtering for specific geographic features – spatially, by attribution or identifier. **Product Archive** Allows access to annual snapshots of certain OS MasterMap and Open UPRN data. {% endtab %} {% tab title="Benefits" %} **On-demand access** Eliminates the need to download, store and maintain large datasets. **Up-to-date mapping** Ensures that users always have access to the most current mapping data. **Efficient data processing** Reduce workload by offering direct access to the required data. **Enhanced decision making** Provides detailed feature attribution for better and more informed analysis. {% endtab %} {% tab title="Summary" %} * **Format:** GeoJSON, XML * **Data Source**: See [What data is available?](/os-apis/accessing-os-apis/os-features-api/what-data-is-available.md) for further information * **Coverage:** Great Britain * **Update:** 10 working days from each [product refresh date](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/resources/product-resources/product-refresh-dates) {% endtab %} {% endtabs %} {% hint style="warning" %} ### Associated products reached / reaching their End of Life (withdrawal) dates The following associated product has reached its End of Life and has been removed from the API: * The OS MasterMap Water Network Layer product (also referred to as OS MasterMap Networks – Water Layer) reached its End of Life on 31 March 2026 and was removed from the OS Features API. Further information on the withdrawal of this product is available on the [OS MasterMap Water Network Layer End of Life documentation page](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/resources/product-resources/end-of-life-product-documentation/os-mastermap-water-network-layer). The following two associated products are reaching their End of Life soon: * The OS Detailed Path Network product will become End of Life on 30 September 2026. As of this date, access to the product will be removed from the OS Features API. * The OS MasterMap Greenspace Layer product will become End of Life on 31 March 2027. As of this date, access to the product will be removed from the OS Features API. * Further information on these product withdrawals is available from the [End of Life Product Notices page on the OS Download Products' Documentation site](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/resources/product-resources/end-of-life-product-notices). {% endhint %} ## Things to remember for OS Features API {% hint style="success" %} You can: * Request specific feature types and their attributes using spatial or attribute queries. * Visualise and style OS data. * Interrogate highly detailed feature information, including OS MasterMap Topography Layer. * Create and apply your own styling preferences. * Access annual snapshots of OS historical data. {% endhint %} {% hint style="warning" %} You can't: * Create a scalable map of Great Britain across zoom levels. * Request more than 100 features in a single transaction. * Access data for a specific date and time. {% endhint %} ## What's next?
OS Product ArchiveInformation about the Product Archive in the OS Features API — providing easy access to historical OS data./pages/BwUmYKfXU8edTlhOzGsR
What data is available?Detailed information about the data that can be accessed through the OS Features API./pages/TgWnftbjlyGQxCYbQTwk
Getting startedThe getting started guide explains how to integrate with the OS Features API in various open GIS software applications./pages/4Abh9SJNfwCJIdOiCGwx
Technical specificationThe technical specification explains the content of the OS Features API and the methods you can use to call it./pages/D1q9njcCSeETsEjT9WTf
Code examplesCode examples you can use to display a map using the OS Features API.Labs.os.ukhttps://labs.os.uk/public/os-data-hub-examples/os-features-api/wfs-example-topo-toid-search#maplibre-gl-js
[^1]: Web Feature Service (WFS) is an Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standard that allows requests for geographic features across the web using platformindependent calls. You can query features based on spatial and non-spatial constraints. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.os.uk/os-apis/accessing-os-apis/os-features-api.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.