Geodata and applications

swisstopo’s digital maps are available in raster and vector formats. They form an excellent basis for digital use and further processing.

Images of swisstopo are an instant view of the landscape, taken from the ground, airplanes or from satellites. These survey photographs allow for geometrically high precision processing.

Landscape models display objects of the landscape in a flexible vector format. They consist of thematic layers (e.g. traffic). Each layer comprises georeferential objects in a point, line or polygon form or as a 3D feature. Each object has attributes and relations.

Height models are digital data sets which show the form of the earth's surface in 3D. Each set of X and Y coordinates shows a height (Z). Different products are available for various applications.

Geological models are digital datasets that show the subsurface in 3D and give information about its composition.

Digital geological maps provide information on the geological composition of the superficial strata of the terrestrial crust at scales of between 1:25'000 and 1:500'000.

Swiss aeronautical maps with airports, airfields, airspaces, restricted and hazardous zones as well as air safety information.

For the needs of Geodesy and Land Surveying swisstopo produces or procures software and constantly improves and maintains it since a long time. The programs cover all areas of traditional surveying, geodesy and GPS positioning.

Discover even the remotest places in Switzerland with high quality maps. The free map app from swisstopo lets you combine the National Maps of Switzerland with many other topics such as hiking, cycling, snow sports and aviation on your smartphone and tablet. Ease of use and functionalities for planning and recording tours as well as experiencing the landscape in panorama mode, are some of the highlights of the app.

The directories of localities, streets and building addresses in Switzerland contain officially and legally verified data.

Geoservices allow publishing and linking geographic information on the Internet. These services are used by applications to visualise or exchange data.

Various options are available for downloading swisstopo geodata, depending on the data set. Large data sets are divided into spatial units for downloading. In the case of smaller data sets, the complete data content in its full geographical extent will be delivered. A user interface helps you select and download the geodata. An application programming interface (API) also enables you to obtain the data.

In this section you will find information about updates and news concerning swisstopo's geodata.

swisstopo makes its official data and products available online for free use. This step is part of the «Strategy for open administrative data in Switzerland 2019-2023» or Open Government Data (OGD) strategy.