Vector tiles for openstreetmap.org

Yesterday, the #OpenStreetMap Foundation (#OSMF) launched #vectortiles on #OSM, delivering a sharper and faster map powered by a new backend. Developers may use the OSMF-hosted tiles under the Vector Tile Usage Policy and apply their own map styles.
Author

Ralph Straumann

Published

July 23, 2025

Yesterday, the OpenStreetMap Foundation (OSMF) launched vector tiles on the OpenStreetMap (OSM) website https://openstreetmap.org:

Now, with integration of the vector tiles as a feature layer on the OpenStreetMap website, mappers and visitors get a visual layer that is sharper and quicker, based on an entirely new backend.

The new map style “Shortbread” (© OpenStreetMap contributors)

In my tests, the new vector tyles were not the default map (yet?). You can see them by choosing the “Shortbread” map style in the menu on the right – or by clicking this link.

The tiles use the Shortbread vector tile schema, and Tilekiln is used for generating the map tiles in the MVT1 format.

Developers can create their own map styles and use the tiles hosted by the OSMF. Of course, fair usage rules apply, as detailed in the Vector Tile Usage Policy.

Further details can be found in the announcement on the OSM blog.

Footnotes

  1. Mapbox Vector Tiles↩︎