# OS Terrain 5 Documentation

OS Terrain 5 is a detailed digital terrain model (DTM) of Great Britain, available as a grid of heighted points and contours, both at five-metre intervals.

Both OS Terrain 5 and OS Terrain 50, provide detailed three-dimensional digital terrain models (DTMs) of Great Britain. A DTM primarily defines the ground surface, having removed all protruding features (such as buildings and trees) elevated above the bare earth.

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**This product is updated quarterly in January, April, July and October.**
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<figure><img src="https://1897589978-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcNpJpLP8RROUaWVQo5ea%2Fuploads%2FF1MBkFUfIab4iutAXpce%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d5ed3406-8205-46d8-ac96-7b1f688f18a5" alt="A representation of OS Terrain 5 data showing detailed terrain data of mountainous area in Great Britain"><figcaption><p>A representation of OS Terrain 5 data showing detailed terrain data</p></figcaption></figure>

OS Terrain 5 is published as both grid and contour data, each in a variety of formats. Both data types are created from the same source data and are supplied as 5km-by-5km tiles identified by their [national grid reference](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/land-and-terrain-portfolio/os-terrain-5/os-terrain-5-overview/the-national-grid).

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**Ideal for 3D visualisations**

OS Terrain 5 is ideal for 3D visualisations. It models significant landscape features including roads, railways, slopes, quarries and lakes – offering a typical accuracy level greater than 2m RMSE.

**A true virtual landscape**

OS Terrain 5 provides the height data needed to model construction projects within the wider landscape. This helps give planners an accurate virtual view of plans and the steps you’re taking to minimise their visual impact on the surrounding area.

**Reduce the need for site visits**

You can quickly understand the impact of flash floods on roads, homes and other major infrastructure. You're able to assess the lie of the land on-screen, reducing the need for time-consuming site visits.

**Harness the elements**

OS Terrain 5 helps you to analyse wind speed and signal propagation. This is important when siting wind turbines, best located in exposed upland areas to maximise their power output, and mobile phone masts, which serve ever more data-hungry users.
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OS Terrain 5 provides an ideal base to enable the third dimension for other data within an appropriate geographical information system (GIS). The height data has been created from a source that is also used to update our large-scale data products.

OS Terrain 5 can be used in conjunction with various Ordnance Survey digital products for analytical, modelling, planning and visual purposes. These uses enable customers to undertake the following:

* Asset / site management
* Environmental analysis
* Line of sight planning
* Viewshed modelling
* Landscape visualisation and fly-through sequences
* Planning and development
* Signal propagation
* Wind farm location planning
* Flood risk assessment
* Foundation for 3D modelling
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* **Access**: Download
* **Data theme:** Height
* **Data structure:** Vector – DTM grid, Contour lines
* **Coverage:** Great Britain
* **Scale:** 1:10 000
* **Format:** ASCII (DTM grid), ESRI Shapefile, GML 3.2 Simple Features
* **Ordering area:** All of Great Britain or customisable area (5km² tiles)
* **Publication months:** January, April, July, October
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## How to get this product

The [OS Terrain 5 product page on the OS website](https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/products/os-terrain-5) has advice on how to get the product for developers, businesses and OS Partners.

Alternatively, you can try out the full product for free for six months by applying for [a Data Exploration licence](https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/licensing/data-exploration-licence); this licence is primarily designed for organisations either considering becoming an OS Partner or who want to trial OS Premium data before working with an existing OS Partner.

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This product is not available as part of the Public Sector Geospatial Agreement (PSGA). You can read more about the PSGA and discover which products are included on the [PSGA Product summary page](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/resources/product-resources/psga-product-summary) in the resources section.
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## Sample data

### Download OS Terrain 5 sample data <a href="#download-os-egs-sample-data" id="download-os-egs-sample-data"></a>

You can download sample data for the product for free from the [OS Data Hub](https://osdatahub.os.uk/data/downloads/sample/OsTerrain5). The sample data is available in ASCII Grid, ESRI Shapefile and GML 3.2 formats and covers one area (Exeter).

### Visualise OS Terrain 5 sample data online

This product is available to try out free online using one of our three sets of sample data (Exeter, Newport and Inverness) through the OS MasterMap Product Viewer:

<table data-view="cards" data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>OS MasterMap Product Viewer</strong></td><td>Interactive demonstrator of OS MasterMap Generation data</td><td></td><td data-object-fit="cover" data-alt="Example image showing OS VectorMap Local product data over an urban area."><a href="https://1897589978-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcNpJpLP8RROUaWVQo5ea%2Fuploads%2Fuld7V42IKrB8ovpC1JXB%2FVectorMap-Local-1.png?alt=media&#x26;token=cb3e8ae9-d669-4bc9-b7a7-5f479d780447">VectorMap-Local-1.png</a></td><td><a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/20981dabcb14402687dccb437a4a78fb/">https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/20981dabcb14402687dccb437a4a78fb/</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## What's next?

To access documentation and resources relating to this product, please refer to the following:

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><h3>Overview</h3></td><td>The overview introduces OS Terrain 5 and gives context for all users – highlighting key features, providing examples of uses, and listing details such as product accuracy, supply formats, etc.</td><td></td><td><a href="os-terrain-5/os-terrain-5-overview">os-terrain-5-overview</a></td><td data-object-fit="cover" data-alt="Example image showing OS Terrain 5 product data."><a href="https://1897589978-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcNpJpLP8RROUaWVQo5ea%2Fuploads%2FWSczU0IoVBwazFGSKbIv%2FTerrain-5-3.png?alt=media&#x26;token=60ad2e68-d02f-44f9-9d4e-b7a908c63c5a">Terrain-5-3.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><h3>Technical Specification</h3></td><td>The technical specification provides detailed technical information about OS Terrain 5. It is targeted at technical users and software developers.</td><td></td><td><a href="os-terrain-5/os-terrain-5-technical-specification">os-terrain-5-technical-specification</a></td><td data-object-fit="cover" data-alt="Example image showing OS Terrain 5 product data."><a href="https://1897589978-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcNpJpLP8RROUaWVQo5ea%2Fuploads%2FW0kwg7GoEsLLoZBFY1b4%2FTerrain-5-5.png?alt=media&#x26;token=079f315c-0d8a-432c-9e74-c16da8687e17">Terrain-5-5.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><h3>Downloads</h3></td><td>Provides links and resources to support the application of OS Terrain 5 within your environment</td><td></td><td><a href="os-terrain-5/os-terrain-5-downloads">os-terrain-5-downloads</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><h3>Ordnance Survey Website</h3></td><td>View OS Terrain 5 product information and find out how to get this product on the OS website.</td><td></td><td><a href="https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/products/os-terrain-5">https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/products/os-terrain-5</a></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

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New users should start with the Overview to gain high-level insight into the product. The Technical Specification contains detailed technical insights.
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