Host and use your image data

MapTiler provides hosting for your map data of any size and type. You can integrate it with a map and serve to your audience without having to manage the hosting infrastructure. This page explains how to prepare, host, and use raster geodata (images). For vector data, see how to edit custom vector data.

1. Prepare raster tiles

Although it is possible to add an image to a map directly without any preparation, in most cases, you’ll want to turn your image into a special map-ready format for easier integration. During the process, your image gets cut into raster map tiles. The tiles usually come in a single tileset container. To prepare your raster tileset:

• Upload your image to MapTiler to have it tiled automatically. Note that the image must be already georeferenced (contain location metadata) and in a supported format and size.
• Or, use MapTiler Engine to process and georeference images of virtually any type or size.

2. Upload raster tiles

MapTiler tools allow you to upload your raster tileset as part of the tiling process, so you shouldn’t need to do this step separately. However, if you have a previously prepared tileset (GeoPackage or MBTiles format), you’ll need to upload it to MapTiler:

• Go to Tiles > New tileset and upload your file directly.
• Alternatively, use the Upload API.

3. Show image on map

Now that your image is tiled and uploaded, you can proceed to showing it on a map. Select your preferred way, with or without code:

Add image to map programmatically

A convenient option for developers is to use the MapTiler SDK JS. To get the code, go to the example Add a raster tile source. Don’t forget you’ll need a MapTiler API key for the code to work.

Add image in visual editor

For a no-code approach, use our visual map editor Customize. Here’s the steps:

1. Go to page Maps in your Maptiler account and click on New map.
2. Select a map you’d like to use and click Customize. This takes you to the map editor.
3. In the left menu panel, go to Data sources and add a new map data source using the plus button. From a list of all available data sources, select your raster tileset.
4. The data source is now associated with the map, but not actually used yet. Go to Layers and add a new map layer. You’ll get a list of data sources to choose from, including the one you added in the previous step. Select the layer in the source (there will be just one raster layer) and add it to the map. If you don’t see the image on the map now, make sure you’re in the right place and on the right zoom level.
5. By default, the image layer gets added on top of the map. If you want to display some of the map features over your image, switch from the Blocks to Verticality view and reorder the layers, so that the desired features get on top.
6. Once you’re happy with the result, save and publish your map. Publishing means that the map is ready to be shared with the world, but it’s not actually visible to anyone unless you take further steps to use the map on a website or in your app.