MapTools
NOV21DAY 21 / 30

#30DayMapChallenge 2026

OpenStreetMap

Use the map — or improve it.

4 map ideas4 tools3 data sources1 practical tip
01

AI-ASSISTED · EDITOR-REVIEWED

Theme brief

OpenStreetMap is both a global dataset and a volunteer community. You can map its features, its history or its gaps; if you edit, use local knowledge and documented sources, then make the contribution itself part of your story.

Official prompt

“The awesome data source for mapping. You can also use this day to edit OSM.”

30DayMapChallenge 2026
02

WAYS IN

Four map ideas

  1. 01

    Map one rarely seen tag such as benches, trees or bicycle parking.

  2. 02

    Compare completeness across neighbourhoods without ranking volunteers.

  3. 03

    Join a humanitarian mapping task and visualize what changed.

  4. 04

    Build a map using only OSM data but a completely original visual style.

03

IN THE DIRECTORY

Recommended tools

OpenStreetMap

The starting point for browsing, editing and understanding the data model.

Free · View details

Geofabrik Downloads

Provides regional extracts for analysis without stressing public APIs.

Free · View details

Protomaps

Turns open map data into a compact, self-hostable basemap workflow.

Open source · View details

QGIS

Reads OSM extracts and supports detailed thematic styling and analysis.

Open source · View details
04

START WITH A CLEAR LICENSE

Data sources

OpenStreetMap full feature data

Planet files and regional extracts include rich, community-maintained detail.

 ODbL 1.0 · attribution required Geofabrik OpenStreetMap extracts

Frequently updated regional downloads in common GIS formats.

 ODbL 1.0 · attribution required Overpass API / Turbo

Interactive queries for a focused subset of OpenStreetMap.

 ODbL 1.0 for OSM data

Licenses are a planning aid, not legal advice. Check the source record and version you actually download; terms can vary within a catalog.

05

BEFORE YOU EXPORT

Cartography check

Attribute OpenStreetMap and its contributors on the map. If you edit, follow the community’s source and tagging guidance.

06

COMMUNITY MAPS

Selected work

Selections begin after this theme closes.

First participate officially by posting publicly with #30DayMapChallenge. You can then suggest that original post for our independent MapTools picks. We link to the source, credit every author and use images only with permission.

Suggest for MapTools picks