# Maptoolkit.org - Free Vector Tile Server

> Maptoolkit.org is a free, production-grade vector basemap service operated by Toursprung GmbH. It serves OpenStreetMap-based vector tiles, MapLibre style JSONs, fonts (glyphs) and sprites under the **Maptoolkit Community License** - **no API key, no sign-up, no request limits** (subject to fair-use rate limiting). Terrain/hillshading tiles are delivered via the sister service `tiles.mapterhorn.com`. Powered by MapLibre, hosted in the EU, edge-cached on Cloudflare's 350+ POPs.

Maptoolkit.org runs on the same opinionated cartography that powers commercial deployments at Deutsche Bahn, Red Bull Media House and the Austrian and German National Tourism Offices - including outdoor-specific styles (Hiking, Cycling, Winter), global hillshading, contour lines, water depths and 3D terrain out of the box. There's no self-hosting on the Community License, but weekly OSM updates and edge-cached delivery across Cloudflare's 350+ data centers are taken care of for you.

Drop one URL into any MapLibre-compatible library and ship:

```
https://styles.maptoolkit.org/summer.json
```

That is the entire setup. The same style URL works in MapLibre GL JS, Leaflet (via the MapLibre plugin), OpenLayers, Deck.gl, CesiumJS, MapLibre Native iOS/Android, Flutter and React Native.

## Endpoints

The community service exposes only these origins. Your browser/app connects directly to them - no proxying through Maptoolkit servers is required or allowed.

- `https://styles.maptoolkit.org/` - MapLibre style JSONs (entry point for every integration)
- `https://tiles.maptoolkit.org/` - vector tiles (`.pbf`), referenced from the style's `sources`
- `https://fonts.maptoolkit.org/` - glyph PBFs (fonts), referenced from the style's `glyphs`
- `https://tiles.mapterhorn.com/` - terrain RGB tiles (`{z}/{x}/{y}.webp`) for hillshading and 3D terrain

No keys, no tokens, no auth headers. CORS is open. Anonymised request logs (truncated IP, timestamp, path, status, size) are retained for max. **15 days**; `Referer` and `User-Agent` are **not** logged.

## Standard map styles

All styles serve the same worldwide OpenStreetMap-based vector basemap with weekly data updates; only the cartography differs. Pass any of these URLs to MapLibre as the `style` option.

| Style              | Style URL                                          |
|--------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
| Summer (default)   | `https://styles.maptoolkit.org/summer.json`        |
| Light              | `https://styles.maptoolkit.org/light.json`         |
| Hiking             | `https://styles.maptoolkit.org/hiking.json`        |
| Winter             | `https://styles.maptoolkit.org/winter.json`        |
| Dark               | `https://styles.maptoolkit.org/dark.json`          |
| Street             | `https://styles.maptoolkit.org/street.json`        |
| Cycling            | `https://styles.maptoolkit.org/cycling.json`       |

Preview all styles live at <https://www.maptoolkit.org>.

### Language versions

A language version shows labels in one specific language instead of the local language. If a place name has no translation into that language, the label falls back to the local name.

Build the URL by adding a language code to the style name:

```
https://styles.maptoolkit.org/<style>-<language>.json
```

For example:

```
https://styles.maptoolkit.org/summer-en.json
https://styles.maptoolkit.org/hiking-ja.json
```

Maptoolkit supports these 13 languages:

| Code | Language | Code | Language |
|------|----------|------|----------|
| `ar` | Arabic   | `hu` | Hungarian |
| `cs` | Czech    | `it` | Italian  |
| `de` | German   | `ja` | Japanese |
| `en` | English  | `ko` | Korean   |
| `es` | Spanish  | `pl` | Polish   |
| `fr` | French   | `zh` | Chinese  |
| `hi` | Hindi    |      |          |

Note: language versions show a single label per place, either the translation or the local name. They do not add the Latin-script subtitle used by the default styles.

### 3D styles

The 3D versions add terrain (elevation-based relief) to a style. Labels behave the same way as in the default styles: local language, with a Latin-script subtitle for non-Latin names.

Add `-3d` to the style name:

```
https://styles.maptoolkit.org/summer-3d.json
```

Minimum SDK versions required for the `-3d` stylesheets to render correctly: **MapLibre GL JS 5.6.0**, **MapLibre Native Android 13.0.0**, **MapLibre Native iOS 6.24.0**. Older SDKs may fail to parse the style or render terrain incorrectly.

## Quick start - MapLibre GL JS (recommended)

MapLibre GL JS is the reference renderer. It loads the community style URL directly with full vector zoom, rotation, pitch and globe projection.

```html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <link href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/maplibre-gl@5.6.0/dist/maplibre-gl.css" rel="stylesheet" />
  <style>body { margin: 0; } #map { width: 100%; height: 400px; }</style>
</head>
<body>
  <div id="map"></div>
  <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/maplibre-gl@5.6.0/dist/maplibre-gl.js"></script>
  <script>
    const map = new maplibregl.Map({
      container: 'map',
      style: 'https://styles.maptoolkit.org/summer.json',
      center: [16.37, 48.21], // [lng, lat] - Vienna
      zoom: 12
    });
  </script>
</body>
</html>
```

NPM:

```bash
npm install maplibre-gl
```

```js
import maplibregl from 'maplibre-gl';
import 'maplibre-gl/dist/maplibre-gl.css';

const map = new maplibregl.Map({
  container: 'map',
  style: 'https://styles.maptoolkit.org/summer.json',
  center: [13.405, 52.52],
  zoom: 11,
});
```

## Attribution (mandatory)

Every map served by the Community License **must** show two elements at all times, on every screen size, orientation and zoom level - and they must not be hidden, obscured, or removed:

1. **Maptoolkit logo** - minimum height **24 px** on web, **24 pt/dp** on mobile, clearly visible on the map.
2. **Copyright line** in the bottom-right corner: `© Maptoolkit © OSM`, where **both** `Maptoolkit` and `OSM` are active hyperlinks:
   - `Maptoolkit` → <https://www.maptoolkit.com/copyright/>
   - `OSM` → <https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright>

The easiest path is to use the official packages - they handle sizing, positioning and links for you:

- MapLibre: [`@maptoolkit/maplibre-gl-logo`](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@maptoolkit/maplibre-gl-logo)
- Leaflet: [`@maptoolkit/leaflet-logo`](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@maptoolkit/leaflet-logo)

For native mobile or custom implementations download the logo file:
<https://www.maptoolkit.org/assets/maptoolkit-attribution.png>

Removing, hiding, or obscuring the attribution is **not allowed** under the Community License.

## Platform integrations

Every integration uses the same style URL. Pick the library and follow its setup pattern.

### Leaflet (via `@maplibre/maplibre-gl-leaflet`)

Leaflet does not render vector tiles natively. The plugin draws a MapLibre GL layer inside a Leaflet map.

```html
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/leaflet.css" />
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/leaflet.js"></script>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/maplibre-gl@5.6.0/dist/maplibre-gl.css" />
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/maplibre-gl@5.6.0/dist/maplibre-gl.js"></script>
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/@maplibre/maplibre-gl-leaflet@0.0.22/leaflet-maplibre-gl.js"></script>
```

```js
const map = L.map('map').setView([48.21, 16.37], 12);

L.maplibreGL({
  style: 'https://styles.maptoolkit.org/summer.json',
  attribution:
    "© <a href='https://www.maptoolkit.com/copyright/'>Maptoolkit</a> " +
    "© <a href='https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright'>OSM</a>",
}).addTo(map);
```

### OpenLayers (via `ol-mapbox-style`)

```bash
npm install ol ol-mapbox-style
```

```js
import { apply } from 'ol-mapbox-style';
apply('map', 'https://styles.maptoolkit.org/summer.json');
```

Or with a self-configured `Map`/`View`:

```js
import Map from 'ol/Map.js';
import View from 'ol/View.js';
import { fromLonLat } from 'ol/proj.js';
import { apply } from 'ol-mapbox-style';

const map = new Map({
  target: 'map',
  view: new View({ center: fromLonLat([16.37, 48.21]), zoom: 12 }),
});
apply(map, 'https://styles.maptoolkit.org/summer.json');
```

### Deck.gl (via `MVTLayer`)

Deck.gl does not consume MapLibre styles. Read the vector tile source from the style JSON and style features yourself:

```js
import { Deck } from '@deck.gl/core';
import { MVTLayer } from '@deck.gl/geo-layers';

const style = await fetch('https://styles.maptoolkit.org/summer.json').then(r => r.json());
const tileSource = style.sources.maptoolkit.url; // TileJSON URL of the vector source

new Deck({
  initialViewState: { longitude: 13.405, latitude: 52.52, zoom: 11 },
  controller: true,
  layers: [
    new MVTLayer({
      id: 'maptoolkit',
      data: tileSource,
      stroked: true, filled: true,
      getLineColor: [80, 80, 80],
      getFillColor: [220, 220, 220],
      lineWidthMinPixels: 0.5,
    }),
  ],
});
```

### CesiumJS (via `cesium-mvt-imagery-provider`)

CesiumJS does not read MapLibre style sheets. Render the vector tiles as a Cesium imagery layer:

```js
import { Viewer } from 'cesium';
import { MVTImageryProvider } from 'cesium-mvt-imagery-provider';

const style = await fetch('https://styles.maptoolkit.org/summer.json').then(r => r.json());
const tileUrl = style.sources.maptoolkit.tiles?.[0]; // {z}/{x}/{y}.pbf template

const viewer = new Viewer('cesiumContainer');
viewer.imageryLayers.addImageryProvider(new MVTImageryProvider({
  urlTemplate: tileUrl,
  maximumLevel: 18,
  style: (feature, tileCoords) => ({ fillStyle: '#dcdcdc', strokeStyle: '#808080', lineWidth: 0.5 }),
}));
```

If you only need a flat, fully-styled basemap, prefer MapLibre GL JS - it supports a 3D globe projection out of the box.

### MapLibre Native iOS

Swift Package Manager: `https://github.com/maplibre/maplibre-gl-native-distribution` (or the `MapLibre` CocoaPod).

```swift
import MapLibre

let styleURL = URL(string: "https://styles.maptoolkit.org/summer.json")
let mapView = MLNMapView(frame: view.bounds, styleURL: styleURL)
mapView.setCenter(CLLocationCoordinate2D(latitude: 48.21, longitude: 16.37), zoomLevel: 12, animated: false)
view.addSubview(mapView)
```

Logo minimum size: **24 pt**.

### MapLibre Native Android

`build.gradle`:

```groovy
implementation 'org.maplibre.gl:android-sdk:13.0.0'
```

```kotlin
MapLibre.getInstance(this)
mapView.getMapAsync { map ->
  map.setStyle(Style.Builder().fromUri("https://styles.maptoolkit.org/summer.json"))
  map.cameraPosition = CameraPosition.Builder()
    .target(LatLng(48.21, 16.37)).zoom(12.0).build()
}
```

Logo minimum size: **24 dp**.

### Flutter

Two options:

**`maplibre_gl` (recommended)** - wraps MapLibre Native, full vector rendering:

```yaml
dependencies:
  maplibre_gl: ^0.20.0
```

```dart
MaplibreMap(
  styleString: 'https://styles.maptoolkit.org/summer.json',
  initialCameraPosition: const CameraPosition(target: LatLng(52.52, 13.405), zoom: 11),
);
```

**`flutter_map` + `vector_map_tiles`** - if you already use `flutter_map`:

```dart
final style = await StyleReader(
  uri: 'https://styles.maptoolkit.org/summer.json',
).read();

FlutterMap(
  options: const MapOptions(initialCenter: LatLng(52.52, 13.405), initialZoom: 11),
  children: [
    VectorTileLayer(theme: style.theme, sprites: style.sprites, tileProviders: style.providers),
  ],
);
```

### React Native

```bash
npm install @maplibre/maplibre-react-native
```

```jsx
import { MapView, Camera } from '@maplibre/maplibre-react-native';

export default function Map() {
  return (
    <MapView style={{ flex: 1 }} mapStyle="https://styles.maptoolkit.org/summer.json">
      <Camera defaultSettings={{ centerCoordinate: [13.405, 52.52], zoomLevel: 11 }} />
    </MapView>
  );
}
```

Coordinates are `[lng, lat]`, same as MapLibre GL JS.

## Migration guides

The community service is a drop-in basemap source for projects coming off paid providers. The pattern is always the same: swap the SDK, drop the access token, point the map at the Maptoolkit style URL.

### From Mapbox GL JS → MapLibre GL JS

MapLibre GL JS is a fork of Mapbox GL JS v1 - the API is almost identical. Markers, popups, sources, layers, expressions and events keep their names and signatures.

```js
// Before
mapboxgl.accessToken = 'pk.your-mapbox-token';
const map = new mapboxgl.Map({
  container: 'map',
  style: 'mapbox://styles/mapbox/streets-v12',
  center: [13.405, 52.52], zoom: 11,
});

// After
const map = new maplibregl.Map({
  container: 'map',
  style: 'https://styles.maptoolkit.org/summer.json',
  center: [13.405, 52.52], zoom: 11,
});
```

Checklist: delete `mapboxgl.accessToken`; rename `mapboxgl` → `maplibregl`; replace any `mapbox://` style/sprite/glyph URLs; rebuild Mapbox v2+ only features (e.g. proprietary standard 3D style) with MapLibre equivalents.

### From Google Maps JavaScript API → MapLibre GL JS

```js
// Before (Google Maps)
const map = new google.maps.Map(document.getElementById('map'), {
  center: { lat: 52.52, lng: 13.405 }, zoom: 11,
});

// After (MapLibre + Maptoolkit)
const map = new maplibregl.Map({
  container: 'map',
  style: 'https://styles.maptoolkit.org/summer.json',
  center: [13.405, 52.52], // [lng, lat]
  zoom: 11,
});
```

Watch out for: **coordinate order** (Google `{lat,lng}` ↔ MapLibre `[lng,lat]`); replace `new google.maps.Marker` with `new maplibregl.Marker`, `InfoWindow` with `Popup`, `map.addListener('click', …)` with `map.on('click', …)`; remove the Google API key and billing setup; replace Google controls with `NavigationControl` / `ScaleControl`.

### From the Mapbox Mobile SDK → MapLibre Native

MapLibre Native is a fork of the last open-source Mapbox Maps SDK (iOS v6.x, Android v9.x). Most apps are a prefix swap.

**iOS** - `Mapbox-iOS-SDK` → `MapLibre`; class prefix `MGL` → `MLN`; drop `MGLAccountManager.accessToken`.

**Android** - `com.mapbox.mapboxsdk:mapbox-android-sdk` → `org.maplibre.gl:android-sdk`; package prefix `com.mapbox.mapboxsdk` → `org.maplibre.android`; replace `Mapbox.getInstance(context, token)` with `MapLibre.getInstance(context)`.

The newer proprietary Mapbox SDKs (iOS v10+, Android v10+) use a different API and require more than a prefix swap.

## Community License - what you can and can't do

Free of charge under these conditions:

**Who may use it**
- Non-commercial projects (personal sites, hobby, open-source, academic, educational).
- Small commercial projects: **under EUR 1M** annual consolidated revenue **and** fewer than **10 FTE** employees.
- Above either threshold → Enterprise License (<https://www.maptoolkit.com>).

**How it may be used**
- **Attribution is mandatory** (see above).
- **No** backend-only processing, bulk extraction, offline tile generation or mirroring.
- **No** reselling, sublicensing, repackaging, or hosting as part of another SaaS.
- **No** print use - use [Printmaps.net](https://www.printmaps.net/) instead.
- **No** Adult Content, Gambling/Betting, Get-Rich-Quick, Predatory Lending, Hate Speech / Extremism.

**What you get**
- Unlimited requests (subject to fair-use and burst protection).
- Production-grade vector tiles cached at 350+ Cloudflare edge POPs.
- Hosted in the EU; GDPR-compliant; cookie-free; no API keys; no `Referer`/`User-Agent` logs.
- Best-effort service: **no** SLA, uptime guarantee or support obligation.

Full text: <https://www.maptoolkit.org/tos> · Privacy: <https://www.maptoolkit.org/privacy>

## Maptoolkit.org vs. other free vector basemaps

Maptoolkit.org is one of several free, OSM-based vector basemap projects for MapLibre. Detail pages: [OpenMapTiles](https://maptoolkit.org/compare/openmaptiles) · [Protomaps](https://maptoolkit.org/compare/protomaps) · [OpenFreeMap](https://maptoolkit.org/compare/openfreemap) · [VersaTiles](https://maptoolkit.org/compare/versatiles) · full comparison: <https://maptoolkit.org/compare>

| Dimension | Maptoolkit.org | OpenMapTiles | Protomaps | OpenFreeMap | VersaTiles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Available as | Free tile server | Do-it-yourself toolchain | Limited tile server, data download | Free tile server, data download | Free tile server, data download |
| Cost | Free | Free | Free tile server for non-commercial use, free downloads | Free | Free |
| Monthly request limits | unlimited | - | 1M tile requests | unlimited | unlimited |
| Attribution | © Maptoolkit © OSM + logo | © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors | © Protomaps © OpenStreetMap | OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles – Data from OpenStreetMap | © OpenStreetMap contributors |
| API key / sign-up | None | - | API key | None | None |
| Commercial use | Yes (&lt; EUR 1M/yr) | Yes | Yes (downloads only) | Yes | Yes |
| OSM updates | Weekly | - | Daily (API) | Weekly | Several times per year |
| Max data zoom | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 |
| Tile schema | Maptoolkit | OpenMapTiles | Protomaps | OpenMapTiles | Shortbread |
| Standard styles | Summer, Light, Hiking, Winter, Dark, Street, Cycling (7) | OpenMapTiles, Basic, Bright, Positron, Dark Matter, Fiord Color, Toner (7) | Light, Dark, White, Grayscale, Black (5) | Liberty, Positron, Bright, Dark, Fiord (5) | Colorful, Eclipse, Graybeard, Shadow, Neutrino (5) |
| Style editor | MapMaker | - | - | - | tiles.versatiles.org |
| Hillshading / contour lines | Yes | - | - | - | Just hillshade, download only |
| Water depths | Yes | - | - | - | Download only |
| 3D terrain | Yes | - | - | - | Download only |
| Provider | Maptoolkit.com, Austria & Germany | Maptiler.com, Switzerland | Brandon Liu (individual), USA | Zsolt Ero (individual), Hungary | Michael Kreil (individual), Germany |
| Privacy | [Privacy Policy](https://www.maptoolkit.org/privacy) | - | [Privacy info](https://docs.protomaps.com/guide/security-privacy) | [Privacy Policy](https://openfreemap.org/privacy/) | - |

## Fair use & rate limits

To keep the shared infrastructure stable, adaptive rate limiting applies. Tiles/s are counted at Maptoolkit's **origin servers only** - tiles served from Cloudflare's edge cache (typically **90%+** of traffic) **don't count** against these limits. In practice, a normal map user rarely generates more than a handful of countable requests per second, if at all.

| Tier                                        | Per website - Sustained | Per website - Burst | Per user (per IP)        |
|----------------------------------------------|--------------------------|-----------------------|----------------------------|
| Unregistered (default)                      | 60 tiles/s               | 100 tiles/s           | 20 tiles/s fair-use cap    |
| Registered domain or app (coming soon)      | 600 tiles/s              | 1,000 tiles/s         | -                          |

Registration (a one-minute form - no credit card, no contract, no key to manage) raises a website's ceiling 10×. Native apps can instead register for a partner token - one static line in the tile URL, nothing to rotate or bill. Registration is **coming soon** and is not required to use the service.

Traffic that exceeds reasonable interactive usage may be delayed or throttled. Bulk downloading, scraping and similar automated workloads are not permitted.

## Data privacy summary

- No accounts, no API keys, no registration.
- No tracking cookies, no fingerprinting, no advertising IDs (no consent banner needed under ePrivacy).
- No user profiles, no cross-site identifiers, no data sales.
- No AI training on request data.
- Anonymised logs only: truncated IP (last octet zeroed and never persisted), timestamp, path, HTTP status, response size. `Referer` and `User-Agent` are **not** logged.
- Retention: **max. 15 days**, then permanently deleted.
- Origin in the EU; edge delivery + DDoS protection by Cloudflare (processor).
- Terrain tiles via `tiles.mapterhorn.com`, same operational model.

When you embed the service in your application, **you are the controller** for your end users' personal data (GDPR Art. 4(7)); Toursprung GmbH is an independent controller for the operational logging only. A copy-paste privacy-policy text block is provided in the data-privacy doc.

## Gotchas

- **Vector only.** No raster XYZ endpoint, no static-maps API. Libraries without vector support (Leaflet, OpenLayers) use a plugin to render the MapLibre style - see above.
- **Backend use is forbidden.** Tiles must be requested by the end-user's browser/device, not pre-fetched, mirrored, or proxied through your server.
- **Coordinate order is `[lng, lat]`** everywhere in MapLibre - the opposite of Google Maps' `{lat, lng}`.
- **Attribution is enforced.** The Maptoolkit logo (≥ 24 px / 24 pt/dp) and the `© Maptoolkit © OSM` line with two clickable links are non-negotiable.
- **Best-effort SLA.** Don't build life-safety, billing-critical or contractually-bound services on the community tier - that's what the Enterprise License is for.
- **Hosted on `.org`, not `.net`.** The public community service is `styles.maptoolkit.org` / `tiles.maptoolkit.org` / `fonts.maptoolkit.org`. The `*.maptoolkit.net` domains belong to the commercial product and require an API key - do not mix them.
- **Terrain comes from a different origin.** Hillshading / 3D terrain uses `https://tiles.mapterhorn.com/{z}/{x}/{y}.webp`; preconnect to it if you enable terrain in your style.

## Official documentation & links

- [Maptoolkit.org landing page](https://www.maptoolkit.org/) - live preview, style switcher, license terms
- [Community Documentation](https://docs.maptoolkit.org/) - full developer docs
- [Quick Start](https://docs.maptoolkit.org/quick-start/)
- [Vector Tiles & styles](https://docs.maptoolkit.org/vector-tiles/)
- [SDKs and Libraries](https://docs.maptoolkit.org/platform-libraries/)
- [MapLibre GL JS guide](https://docs.maptoolkit.org/platform-libraries/maplibre/) · [Examples gallery](https://docs.maptoolkit.org/platform-libraries/maplibre/examples/)
- [Leaflet](https://docs.maptoolkit.org/platform-libraries/leaflet/) · [OpenLayers](https://docs.maptoolkit.org/platform-libraries/openlayers/) · [Deck.gl](https://docs.maptoolkit.org/platform-libraries/deckgl/) · [CesiumJS](https://docs.maptoolkit.org/platform-libraries/cesiumjs/)
- [MapLibre Native iOS](https://docs.maptoolkit.org/platform-libraries/maplibre-native-ios/) · [Android](https://docs.maptoolkit.org/platform-libraries/maplibre-native-android/) · [Flutter](https://docs.maptoolkit.org/platform-libraries/flutter/) · [React Native](https://docs.maptoolkit.org/platform-libraries/react-native/)
- [Migrate from Mapbox GL JS](https://docs.maptoolkit.org/migration-guides/migrate-from-mapbox-gl-js/) · [from Google Maps](https://docs.maptoolkit.org/migration-guides/migrate-from-google-maps/) · [from the Mapbox Mobile SDK](https://docs.maptoolkit.org/migration-guides/migrate-from-mapbox-sdk/)
- [Data Privacy details](https://docs.maptoolkit.org/miscellaneous/data-privacy/)
- [Terms of Service / Community License](https://www.maptoolkit.org/tos)
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.maptoolkit.org/privacy)
- [Service Status](https://www.maptoolkit.org/status)
- [Support & Discussions (GitHub)](https://github.com/maptoolkit/maptoolkit.org/discussions)
- [Logo NPM package - MapLibre](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@maptoolkit/maplibre-gl-logo) · [Leaflet](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@maptoolkit/leaflet-logo)
- [Enterprise (paid) - full API suite, SLA, custom data](https://www.maptoolkit.com)