3D terrain map
Draw a rectangle anywhere on Earth and see the ground in 3D, with satellite imagery or shaded relief. Rotate it, exaggerate the height, click for elevations, lay a GPX track on it, and download an STL to 3D print it.
Drag the red rectangle's corners, or click two opposite corners on the map. Search a place to go there.
Show in 3D
Drag to turn, pinch or scroll to zoom, right-drag or two fingers to move. Click the ground for its elevation.
A solid with a 3 mm base, at the height exaggeration shown.
3D Terrain Map
How do I see an area in 3D?
Move the map to the place, drag the red rectangle's corners around the area (or click two opposite corners), and press Show in 3D. Drag to turn the model, pinch or scroll to zoom.
Where do the elevations and the imagery come from?
Elevations come from our own copy of global ~30 m terrain models (the Mapzen terrain mosaic of SRTM, USGS NED, EU-DEM and others, with ocean depths), served from our own server. The satellite imagery is Google's, through the Google Maps Platform, and shaded relief is drawn from our elevations.
Why exaggerate the height?
At true scale most land looks flat from above; 1.5× to 3× makes hills read as they feel on the ground. The STL is exported at the exaggeration you choose.
How do I 3D print the terrain?
Choose the size of the long side in millimeters and press STL. The file is a closed solid with a 3 mm base, ready for a slicer like PrusaSlicer, Cura or Bambu Studio. Print it with the base down.
Can I see my hike or ride on it?
Yes: Add a GPX track (KML and GeoJSON work too) and the route is drawn on the ground in red. The file stays in your browser.
Is there an app?
Not for this tool yet. The nearest is Geo Elevation, on iPhone, iPad and Mac, which draws the elevation profile of a path, with the chart tied to the map, and saves it as a document. Paid. App Store · Mac App Store