Shapefile to PDF converter
Upload your Shapefile file and get PDF in a couple of minutes: osm2cdr reads the geometry of your file and hands you a ready PDF straight away. Processing runs on our servers, the result is ready to download as soon as it finishes, and files up to 50 MB are supported. And if you have no file of your own, or need a fresh map of an area, osm2cdr builds PDF straight from the OpenStreetMap map: you simply pick an area on the map, choose the PDF format and download the result with up-to-date OSM data — with layers for buildings, roads, water and features.
How Shapefile differs from PDF
| Format | Extension | Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shapefile | .shp | GIS | ArcGIS, QGIS, spatial analysis, cartography |
| Vector | Map printing, email sharing, presentations, commercial printing, archiving |
How to get PDF on osm2cdr
- 1Select an area on the map on the osm2cdr home page
- 2Choose the PDF format and, if needed, a style and CRS
- 3Click Export and download the ready PDF file
PDF format properties
| Extension | |
| Type | Vector |
| Purpose | Map printing, email sharing, presentations, commercial printing, archiving |
When you need PDF
The main scenario is simple: you already have a Shapefile file — upload it and osm2cdr returns PDF, ready to use in a dedicated program (editing, printing, analysis, embedding in a project). The alternative is for when you have no file at hand or need a fresh map of an area: the same PDF is then built straight from up-to-date OpenStreetMap data for your chosen area, split into layers for buildings, roads, water and features.
What changes when going Shapefile → PDF
Drop in a Shapefile file and osm2cdr reads its geometry and returns PDF; and with no file of your own, the same PDF is built straight from the OpenStreetMap map for your chosen area. Either way the data model changes. Going Shapefile → PDF, the data becomes styled vector graphics: attributes and tables are lost, but objects stay editable curves and layers fit for print and design. osm2cdr builds PDF straight from OpenStreetMap geodata, with no intermediate Shapefile file.
Upload your own Shapefile file → PDF
No need to hunt for a third-party converter anymore: drop your Shapefile file in the form above and osm2cdr will read the geometry and hand you a ready PDF. Files up to 50 MB are supported; processing runs on our servers and the result is ready to download as soon as it finishes.
FAQ: Shapefile → PDF
Can I upload my Shapefile file?
Yes, now you can: upload your Shapefile file right on this page and osm2cdr will read the geometry and convert it to PDF. Files up to 50 MB are supported. If the data comes from OpenStreetMap, you can skip the upload entirely — we'll export the map straight into PDF.
Is it free?
Yes, exporting an OpenStreetMap map to PDF on osm2cdr is free. Select an area, the PDF format and download the result.
Which programs open PDF?
The PDF format opens in dedicated programs for its category. See the PDF format page for the full list and details.
Why is this better than an online Shapefile → PDF converter?
An online converter caps the result quality at the quality of the source Shapefile file. osm2cdr takes data from the OpenStreetMap source and builds PDF with correct layers directly — with no loss on an intermediate Shapefile file.