COG (Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF) is a GeoTIFF extension for cloud services. For local work, regular GeoTIFF is better.

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GeoTIFF (Georeferenced TIFF)

Open Beta

.tif · image/tiff

GeoTIFF is a raster format with embedded georeferencing. The map is saved as a TIFF image with coordinates, projection, and metadata. The de facto standard for georeferenced raster maps. Exported at print resolution (300 DPI by default).

Export GeoTIFF now ✨ Open Beta — free, no limits

Key Features

✓Embedded coordinates (WGS84 / UTM)

✓Projection support

✓High resolution for printing

✓Universal GIS compatibility

Example GeoTIFF export (central Moscow, 1x0.5 km) — Example: central Moscow, ~1×0.5 km, medium detail

About GeoTIFF Format

GeoTIFF is an ordinary TIFF with coordinates written into its tags: where the top left corner lies, what the pixel size is and which coordinate system all of it is recorded in. A GIS program opens such a file and immediately puts the picture in its place on the ground — there is nothing to georeference by hand.

A raster map is needed where vectors are excessive or awkward: an underlay beneath your own layers, a print-ready original, an overlay on a satellite image, material for interpretation and for raster algorithms.

The file contains a map page drawn in the chosen style and saved as a georeferenced image. The default resolution is 300 DPI, that is print quality; the default sheet is A4 landscape. LZW compression is lossless, yet noticeably smaller than an uncompressed TIFF.

The default coordinate system is WGS84 (EPSG:4326); the georeferencing sits in the file's own tags, so there is no need to keep any companion files alongside it.

What Program Opens GeoTIFF Files

The following programs and applications can open, edit, and work with GeoTIFF (Georeferenced TIFF) (.tif) files exported from OSM2CDR:

🌎QGIS 🌎ArcGIS 🌐Google Earth Pro 💻GDAL 💻Global Mapper

Format specifications

Open standard
2D only
Lossless (no quality loss)
No attributes
Output: 1 file
GeoTIFF (OGC) with georeferencing tags. Single .tif file; default LZW compression. Standard for GIS raster.

Who Uses GeoTIFF Maps

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Georeferenced Maps

A picture of the map that puts itself in the right place in any GIS.

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GIS Analysis

A raster underlay beneath your own vector layers and calculations.

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Satellite Image Overlay

The map lands over the image in the same coordinates — you can see at once what changed and where.

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Remote Sensing

Material for interpretation and comparison with survey data.

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Map Printing

300 DPI — ready print quality for a poster or a report appendix.

How to Export GeoTIFF

Select area

Draw a rectangle or polygon on the interactive map at osm2cdr

Choose GeoTIFF

Select GeoTIFF (Georeferenced TIFF) from the list of 127 available export formats

Export

Click Export and receive your .tif file in 1-5 minutes

Download

Download the ready GeoTIFF file and open it in QGIS

How to Open After Export

QGIS (free) — drag the .tif into the program window: the layer lands in place and the projection is detected automatically.
ArcGIS and Global Mapper — Add Data; the raster attaches as an underlay beneath your vector layers.
Google Earth Pro — File → Import, choose the GeoTIFF: the map lands on the globe (for heavy files the program will offer to reduce the resolution).
GDAL — gdalinfo map.tif shows the georeferencing and the projection, and gdalwarp -t_srs EPSG:3857 map.tif out.tif reprojects the raster for a web map.
Printing — the file is calculated for 300 DPI and goes to print as is; in Photoshop or GIMP do not change the pixel dimensions, otherwise you will lose both quality and the match to the scale.

Popular maps in GeoTIFF

Free

Get GeoTIFF (Georeferenced TIFF) map exports

Download professional GeoTIFF maps from OpenStreetMap. Instant generation, any area.

Free / export

Export GeoTIFF now →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between GeoTIFF and regular TIFF? ▼

Can I open GeoTIFF in QGIS? ▼

GeoTIFF or COG? ▼

At what resolution does the raster arrive? ▼

What compression is the file packed with? ▼

Compare with Other Formats

⚖ GEOTIFF vs COG ⚖ PNG vs GEOTIFF

Related Formats

Frequently Exported Together

GeoTIFF+📷PNG 🛰Cloud-Optimized GeoTIFF 🖼TIFF

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