> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/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-downloads/products/maps-and-imagery-portfolio/os-mastermap-topography-layer/os-mastermap-topography-layer-getting-started-guide.md).

# OS MasterMap Topography Layer Getting Started Guide

This getting started guide provides instructions for using OS MasterMap Topography Layer in different software applications. Users with limited technical knowledge will be able to follow this guide.

## Obtaining OS MasterMap Topography Layer data <a href="#id-1.-obtaining-os-mastermap-topography-lay" id="id-1.-obtaining-os-mastermap-topography-lay"></a>

This getting started guide shows you how to load OS MasterMap Topography Layer into several commonly used geographical information system (GIS) applications.

## Product formats <a href="#id-1.1-product-formats" id="id-1.1-product-formats"></a>

OS MasterMap Topography Layer is available the following formats:

* GeoPackage (area of interest – AOI – only)
* Vector tiles (MBTiles)
* Geography Markup Language (GML) 2.1.2

The GML download ZIP package contains a GZ (.gz) file, which does not require extraction and contains multiple GML (.gml) files.

The GML data is supplied in 5km2 tiles, but features are not clipped at the tile edges, resulting in what is called “hairy” tiles. All tiles contain six elements:

* Cartographic Symbol
* Cartographic Text
* Boundary Line
* Topographic Point
* Topographic Line
* Topographic Area

OS MasterMap Topygraphy Layer can be downloaded from the [OS Data Hub](https://osdatahub.os.uk/).

## Media <a href="#id-1.2-media" id="id-1.2-media"></a>

OS MasterMap Topygraphy Layer is not available via hard media supply.

## Using GeoPackage and vector tile formats <a href="#id-1.3-using-geopackage-and-vector-tile-for" id="id-1.3-using-geopackage-and-vector-tile-for"></a>

This getting started guide focuses on using the product in GML and shapefile format.

For guidance on using the product in GeoPackage or vector tiles formats, please see the following generic getting started guides:

* [Getting Started with GeoPackage](/os-downloads/resources/product-resources/getting-started-with-geopackage-and-vector-tiles-guides/getting-started-with-geopackage.md).
* [Getting Started with Vector Tiles](/os-downloads/resources/product-resources/getting-started-with-geopackage-and-vector-tiles-guides/getting-started-with-vector-tiles.md).

This guide contains instrictions for the following GIS applications:

* [QGIS](/os-downloads/products/maps-and-imagery-portfolio/os-mastermap-topography-layer/os-mastermap-topography-layer-getting-started-guide/qgis.md)
* [ArcGIS Pro](/os-downloads/products/maps-and-imagery-portfolio/os-mastermap-topography-layer/os-mastermap-topography-layer-getting-started-guide/arcgis-pro.md)
* [ArcMap](/os-downloads/products/maps-and-imagery-portfolio/os-mastermap-topography-layer/os-mastermap-topography-layer-getting-started-guide/arcmap.md)
* [Cadcorp SIS Desktop Express](/os-downloads/products/maps-and-imagery-portfolio/os-mastermap-topography-layer/os-mastermap-topography-layer-getting-started-guide/cadcorp-sis-desktop-express.md)
* [MapInfo Professional](/os-downloads/products/maps-and-imagery-portfolio/os-mastermap-topography-layer/os-mastermap-topography-layer-getting-started-guide/mapinfo-professional.md)
* [FME Desktop](/os-downloads/products/maps-and-imagery-portfolio/os-mastermap-topography-layer/os-mastermap-topography-layer-getting-started-guide/fme-desktop.md)
* [Astun Technology GML/KML Loader](/os-downloads/products/maps-and-imagery-portfolio/os-mastermap-topography-layer/os-mastermap-topography-layer-getting-started-guide/astun-technology-gml-kml-loader.md)


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