> 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-vector-tile-api.md).

# OS Vector Tile API

{% hint style="info" icon="map-location" %}

#### Have you considered the benefits of the OS National Geographic Database?

OS Vector Tile API is anticipated to [reach End of Life in Autumn 2028](https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/products/roadmap) and will be retired.

Its replacement, [OS NGD API – Tiles](https://docs.os.uk/os-apis/accessing-os-apis/os-ngd-api-tiles), is built on the latest [OGC API - Tiles](https://ogcapi.ogc.org/tiles/) 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 – Tiles](https://docs.os.uk/os-apis/accessing-os-apis/os-ngd-api-tiles/getting-started).
{% endhint %}

## What is OS Vector Tile API?

OS Vector Tile API is a vector tile service providing detailed Ordnance Survey data as a customisable basemap. It can be used with most web mapping libraries including Mapbox GL JS, Leaflet, OpenLayers and ArcGIS API for JavaScript. Vector tiles have the benefit of being optimised for use across the internet and are great for building interactive web maps. You can zoom, pan, rotate, tilt and even extrude 3D buildings.

You have a choice between using OS styles or creating your own. You can customise the content and the style to create a map that perfectly meets your needs. Design a map that matches your brand or get creative and add some cartographic flair to your application.

With OS Vector Tile API you can also select and interact with the individual map features.

OS Vector Tile API is available in two projections:

* British National Grid for Great Britain (GB) data
* Web Mercator, which is a global coordinate system

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Features" %}
**Scalable vector tile mapping**

Provides lightweight, high-resolution vector tile basemaps in different styles and projections for fast rendering in interactive applications.

**Customisable style options**

Access to pre-defined, professional styling which can be customised to meet your own requirements and map designs.

**3D visualisation support**

Allows for tilting and extruding building features.

**Built in data overlays**

Access build in and detailed overlays to add give additional geographic context.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Benefits" %}
**Faster performance**

Loads maps quicker than traditional raster-mapping services.

**Up-to-date mapping**

Ensures that users always have access to the most current mapping data.

**Flexible customisation**

Customise the style and content to make your map meet your requirements.

**Interactive mapping**

Improves interactivity by offering high-quality, scalable mapping with direct access to attribution.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Summary" %}

* **Format:** Vector tiles
* **Primary Data Source**: [OS Open Zoomstack](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/maps-and-imagery-portfolio/os-open-zoomstack) and [OS MasterMap Topography Layer](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/maps-and-imagery-portfolio/os-mastermap-topography-layer)
* **Additional Data Source**: [Boundary-Line](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/areas-and-zones-portfolio/boundary-line), [OS MasterMap Greenspace Layer](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/land-and-terrain-portfolio/os-mastermap-greenspace-layer), [OS MasterMap Sites Layer](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/land-and-terrain-portfolio/os-mastermap-sites-layer), [OS MasterMap Highways Network – Roads](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/transport-network-portfolio/os-mastermap-highways-network-roads), [OS MasterMap Highways Network – Paths](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/transport-network-portfolio/os-mastermap-highways-network-paths) and [OS Detailed Path Network](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/transport-network-portfolio/os-detailed-path-network).
* **Coverage:** Great Britain
* **Update:** 15 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 Vector Tile API

{% hint style="success" %}
You can:

* Use as a basemap in GIS, web or mobile applications
* View the whole of Great Britain in unrivalled detail
* Seamlessly pan, zoom, pitch and tilt the map
* Overlay your own data to give it geographic context
* Trace over OS MasterMap Topography Layers (Premium data) detailed geometries
* Customise the map style and content to create the map you need
* Access the maps in different projections – British National Grid and Web Mercator
  {% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
You can't:

* Retrieve all the detailed attribution from OS data
  {% endhint %}

## What's next?

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th><select><option value="nm1DxKqO3Qj1" label="GitHub.com" color="blue"></option><option value="kMZeXFjNhVML" label="Labs.os.uk" color="blue"></option></select></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>What data is available?</strong></td><td>A guide to the data available through the OS Vector Tile API.</td><td></td><td><a href="/pages/bBbhl5twHzlnUKpZsu51">/pages/bBbhl5twHzlnUKpZsu51</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Getting started</strong></td><td>The getting started guide explains how to integrate with the OS Vector Tile API in various open GIS software applications.</td><td></td><td><a href="/pages/j1Qk8kGSOpVsQQvUHois">/pages/j1Qk8kGSOpVsQQvUHois</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Technical specification</strong></td><td>The technical specification explains the content of the OS Vector Tile API and the methods that you can use to call it.</td><td></td><td><a href="/pages/difyAM8hZx4SDp8VEmEK">/pages/difyAM8hZx4SDp8VEmEK</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Code examples</strong></td><td>Code examples you can use to display a map using the OS Vector Tile API.</td><td><span data-option="kMZeXFjNhVML">Labs.os.uk</span></td><td><a href="https://labs.os.uk/public/os-data-hub-examples/os-vector-tile-api/vts-3857-basic-map#maplibre-gl-js">https://labs.os.uk/public/os-data-hub-examples/os-vector-tile-api/vts-3857-basic-map#maplibre-gl-js</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Stylesheets</strong></td><td>Cartographic stylesheets hosted on GitHub for use with OS Vector Tile API.</td><td><span data-option="nm1DxKqO3Qj1">GitHub.com</span></td><td><a href="https://github.com/OrdnanceSurvey/OS-Vector-Tile-API-Stylesheets">https://github.com/OrdnanceSurvey/OS-Vector-Tile-API-Stylesheets</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


---

# 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-vector-tile-api.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`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.