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US Topo

Topographic Maps for the Nation

US Topo is the next generation of topographic maps from the U.S. Geological 

Survey (USGS). Arranged in the familiar 

7.5-minute quadrangle format, digital US 

Topo maps are designed to look and feel 

(and perform) like the traditional paper 

topographic maps for which the USGS is 

so well known. In contrast to paper-based 

maps, US Topo maps provide modern 

technical advantages that support faster, 

wider public distribution and enable basic, 

on-screen geographic analysis for all users. 

US Topo maps are available free on 

the Web. Each map quadrangle is constructed in GeoPDF® format from key 

layers of geographic data (orthoimagery, 

roads, geographic names, topographic contours, and hydrographic features) found in 

The National Map. 

US Topo quadrangles can be printed 

from personal computers or plotters as 

complete, full-sized, maps or in customized sections, in a user-desired specific 

format. Paper copies of the maps can 

also be purchased from the USGS Store.

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Download links and a users guide are 

featured on the US Topo Web site.3

US Topo users can turn geographic 

data layers on and off as needed; they 

can zoom in and out to highlight specific 

features or see a broader area. File size 

for each digital 7.5-minute quadrangle, 

about 15-20 megabytes, is suitable for 

most users. Associated electronic tools for 

geographic analysis are available free for 

download. 

What Makes US Topo Different

from Other Electronic Maps?

• Richer content, multiple layers of data; 

more than a street map 

• Can be used on the computer or printed 

to scale 

• Look and feel like legacy paper USGS 

topographic maps but have technical 

advantages 

 Figure 1. US Topo of the Coffeyville East, Kansas quadrangle

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Fact Sheet 2009-3108

November 2009 Printed on recycled paper 
 Figure 2. Detail of the Coffeyville East, Kansas US Topo

• Made from nationally consistent 

data that are quality assured to high 

standards

• Downloadable free from the USGS Store1

• Free downloadable user tools

• Users can select the reference systems:

 - Latitude-Longitude

 - UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator)

 - MGRS (Military Grid Reference 

 System) 

• Direct “mash-up” capabilities with 

Google Maps® 

• Continuously evolving, incorporating 

additional data layers 

Powered by The National Map

In 2001, the USGS published a new 

vision for topographic mapping of the 

Nation: The National Map.

2 The objective 

of The National Map is to ensure current, 

consistent, seamless, and integrated 

geospatial data for the Nation through 

Federal, State, local, and Tribal partnerships. In 2009, the USGS National 

Geospatial Program (NGP), working 

with partners in the public, private, and 

academic sectors, developed capabilities 

to rapidly produce US Topo maps from 

The National Map data. These new maps 

are vital for homeland security, research, 

industry, disaster response, recreation, 

land and resource management, and many 

other applications. 

The prototype of the US Topo, 

“Digital Map—Beta,” has been available 

since June 2009. A US Topo map includes 

all of the content of the earlier “Digital 

Map—Beta” plus integrated contours and 

hydrographic features. 

The image map layer of US Topo 

maps is based on U.S. Department of 

Agriculture 1-meter ground resolution 

National Agriculture Imagery Program 

(NAIP) orthoimagery, a data resource that 

is tone-balanced, publicly available, and 

nationally consistent. US Topo production 

and revision will follow the NAIP acquisition cycle (ultimately 3-year) to complete 

conterminous national coverage. Data 

sources for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, 

the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Pacific 

Territories are being assessed for eventual 

production of US Topos.

As the US Topo product evolves, 

the USGS will incorporate additional 

geographic data layers from The National 

Map and will also provide digital, historical versions of paper-based USGS topographic map quadrangles. Public feedback 

about US Topo is welcome. This feedback 

assists the USGS in improving the US 

Topo concept.3

 More Information

The USGS (http://www.usgs.gov/)

The USGS Store (http://store.usgs.gov/)

US Topo and “Digital Maps—Beta” (http://nationalmap.gov/ustopo/)

US Topo and “Digital Map—Beta” Download (http://nationalmap.usgs.gov/ustopo/quickstart.pdf)

The National Map (http://nationalmap.gov/)

NAIP (http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/apfoapp?area=home&subject=prog&topic=nai)

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