Adding basemaps in QGIS

Question

ArcGIS Desktop has the option of using basemaps from ArcGIS Online.

Does QGIS have any such options?

Answer 1

No plugin required

There is a core functionality XYZ Tile Server provider which was implemented with some other nice UX enhancements for tiled services (available since QGIS 2.18). This means, that there is no need for an external plugin although for an easy setup you can still use external plugins (see bottom of this post) and it offers various improvements over pure plugin based solutions.

In the browser panel, locate the Tile Server entry and right click it to add a new service.

Enter the URL of the service which you would like to use, replacing x, y and z parts with curly brackets substitution as can be seen below.

Double Click the newly created entry to add the layer to the map.

Layers added this way:

• Load faster
• Support reprojection
• Support printing
• Are cached in a powerful way
• Are compatible with QField

Some example URLs

OpenTopoMap

https://tile.opentopomap.org/{z}/{x}/{y}.png

(See comment below for attribution)

OpenStreetMap

http://tile.openstreetmap.org/{z}/{x}/{y}.png

Google Hybrid

https://mt1.google.com/vt/lyrs=y&x={x}&y={y}&z={z}

Google Satellite

https://mt1.google.com/vt/lyrs=s&x={x}&y={y}&z={z}

Google Road

https://mt1.google.com/vt/lyrs=m&x={x}&y={y}&z={z}

(Codes for other tile types from Google found here)

Bing Aerial

http://ecn.t3.tiles.virtualearth.net/tiles/a{q}.jpeg?g=1

Configuration GUI

Since version 0.18.7 and in combination with QGIS >= 2.18.8 it's possible to use QuickMapServices as a very easy to use tool for configuring layers. Just check the "Use native renderer" checkbox (thanks @DmitryBaryshnikov)

Answer 2

Update 2019: No plugin needed, see new answer: https://gis.stackexchange.com/a/217670/187

Update 2015: A new plugin with even more background map options is QuickMapServices

Original: Use the OpenLayers plugin to get Google Maps, Bing, OSM or Yahoo background maps.

Note that these layers are NOT SUITABLE FOR PRINTING! (see open tickets in the answer to https://gis.stackexchange.com/a/42141/187)

Answer 3

Another plugin to add basemaps in QGIS - QuickMapServices:

QGIS Python Plugins Repository: https://plugins.qgis.org/plugins/quick_map_services/

More info about plugin:

• http://nextgis.ru/en/blog/quickmapservices/
• http://nextgis.ru/en/blog/quickmapservices-with-contributed-services/
• http://nextgis.ru/en/blog/quickmapservices-in-gray/
• http://nextgis.ru/en/blog/qms-simple-basemaps-management/

Answer 4

No plugin required

Credits/Author: @Klas Karlsson and an extension to @Matthias Kuhn's answer.

1. Plugins > Python Console > Show Editor
2. Copy&Paste the code below into a new Python file and press Run script

"""
This script should be run from the Python consol inside QGIS.

It adds online sources to the QGIS Browser.
Each source should contain a list with the folowing items (string type):
[sourcetype, title, authconfig, password, referer, url, username, zmax, zmin]

You can add or remove sources from the sources section of the code.

Script by Klas Karlsson
Sources from https://qms.nextgis.com/

Licence GPL-3

Regarding the terms of use for these background maps YOU will need to verify that you
follow the individual EULA that comes with the different services,
Most likely they will restrict how you can use the data.
"""

# Sources
sources = []
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Google Maps","","","","https://mt1.google.com/vt/lyrs=m&x=%7Bx%7D&y=%7By%7D&z=%7Bz%7D","","19","0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Google Satellite", "", "", "", "https://mt1.google.com/vt/lyrs=s&x=%7Bx%7D&y=%7By%7D&z=%7Bz%7D", "", "19", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Google Terrain", "", "", "", "https://mt1.google.com/vt/lyrs=t&x=%7Bx%7D&y=%7By%7D&z=%7Bz%7D", "", "19", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Google Terrain Hybrid", "", "", "", "https://mt1.google.com/vt/lyrs=p&x=%7Bx%7D&y=%7By%7D&z=%7Bz%7D", "", "19", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Google Satellite Hybrid", "", "", "", "https://mt1.google.com/vt/lyrs=y&x=%7Bx%7D&y=%7By%7D&z=%7Bz%7D", "", "19", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Stamen Terrain", "", "", "Map tiles by Stamen Design, under CC BY 3.0. Data by OpenStreetMap, under ODbL", "http://tile.stamen.com/terrain/%7Bz%7D/%7Bx%7D/%7By%7D.png", "", "20", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Stamen Toner", "", "", "Map tiles by Stamen Design, under CC BY 3.0. Data by OpenStreetMap, under ODbL", "http://tile.stamen.com/toner/%7Bz%7D/%7Bx%7D/%7By%7D.png", "", "20", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Stamen Toner Light", "", "", "Map tiles by Stamen Design, under CC BY 3.0. Data by OpenStreetMap, under ODbL", "http://tile.stamen.com/toner-lite/%7Bz%7D/%7Bx%7D/%7By%7D.png", "", "20", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Stamen Watercolor", "", "", "Map tiles by Stamen Design, under CC BY 3.0. Data by OpenStreetMap, under ODbL", "http://tile.stamen.com/watercolor/%7Bz%7D/%7Bx%7D/%7By%7D.jpg", "", "18", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Wikimedia Map", "", "", "OpenStreetMap contributors, under ODbL", "https://maps.wikimedia.org/osm-intl/%7Bz%7D/%7Bx%7D/%7By%7D.png", "", "20", "1"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Wikimedia Hike Bike Map", "", "", "OpenStreetMap contributors, under ODbL", "http://tiles.wmflabs.org/hikebike/%7Bz%7D/%7Bx%7D/%7By%7D.png", "", "17", "1"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Esri Boundaries Places", "", "", "", "https://server.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/Reference/World_Boundaries_and_Places/MapServer/tile/%7Bz%7D/%7By%7D/%7Bx%7D", "", "20", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Esri Gray (dark)", "", "", "", "http://services.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/Canvas/World_Dark_Gray_Base/MapServer/tile/%7Bz%7D/%7By%7D/%7Bx%7D", "", "16", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Esri Gray (light)", "", "", "", "http://services.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/Canvas/World_Light_Gray_Base/MapServer/tile/%7Bz%7D/%7By%7D/%7Bx%7D", "", "16", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Esri National Geographic", "", "", "", "http://services.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/NatGeo_World_Map/MapServer/tile/%7Bz%7D/%7By%7D/%7Bx%7D", "", "12", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Esri Ocean", "", "", "", "https://services.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/Ocean/World_Ocean_Base/MapServer/tile/%7Bz%7D/%7By%7D/%7Bx%7D", "", "10", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Esri Satellite", "", "", "", "https://server.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/World_Imagery/MapServer/tile/%7Bz%7D/%7By%7D/%7Bx%7D", "", "17", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Esri Standard", "", "", "", "https://server.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/World_Street_Map/MapServer/tile/%7Bz%7D/%7By%7D/%7Bx%7D", "", "17", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Esri Terrain", "", "", "", "https://server.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/World_Terrain_Base/MapServer/tile/%7Bz%7D/%7By%7D/%7Bx%7D", "", "13", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Esri Transportation", "", "", "", "https://server.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/Reference/World_Transportation/MapServer/tile/%7Bz%7D/%7By%7D/%7Bx%7D", "", "20", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Esri Topo World", "", "", "", "http://services.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/World_Topo_Map/MapServer/tile/%7Bz%7D/%7By%7D/%7Bx%7D", "", "20", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","OpenStreetMap Standard", "", "", "OpenStreetMap contributors, CC-BY-SA", "http://tile.openstreetmap.org/%7Bz%7D/%7Bx%7D/%7By%7D.png", "", "19", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","OpenStreetMap H.O.T.", "", "", "OpenStreetMap contributors, CC-BY-SA", "http://tile.openstreetmap.fr/hot/%7Bz%7D/%7Bx%7D/%7By%7D.png", "", "19", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","OpenStreetMap Monochrome", "", "", "OpenStreetMap contributors, CC-BY-SA", "http://tiles.wmflabs.org/bw-mapnik/%7Bz%7D/%7Bx%7D/%7By%7D.png", "", "19", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","OpenTopoMap", "", "", "Kartendaten: © OpenStreetMap-Mitwirkende, SRTM | Kartendarstellung: © OpenTopoMap (CC-BY-SA)", "https://tile.opentopomap.org/%7Bz%7D/%7Bx%7D/%7By%7D.png", "", "17", "1"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Strava All", "", "", "OpenStreetMap contributors, CC-BY-SA", "https://heatmap-external-b.strava.com/tiles/all/bluered/%7Bz%7D/%7Bx%7D/%7By%7D.png", "", "15", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Strava Run", "", "", "OpenStreetMap contributors, CC-BY-SA", "https://heatmap-external-b.strava.com/tiles/run/bluered/%7Bz%7D/%7Bx%7D/%7By%7D.png?v=19", "", "15", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Open Weather Map Temperature", "", "", "Map tiles by OpenWeatherMap, under CC BY-SA 4.0", "http://tile.openweathermap.org/map/temp_new/%7Bz%7D/%7Bx%7D/%7By%7D.png?APPID=1c3e4ef8e25596946ee1f3846b53218a", "", "19", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Open Weather Map Clouds", "", "", "Map tiles by OpenWeatherMap, under CC BY-SA 4.0", "http://tile.openweathermap.org/map/clouds_new/%7Bz%7D/%7Bx%7D/%7By%7D.png?APPID=ef3c5137f6c31db50c4c6f1ce4e7e9dd", "", "19", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Open Weather Map Wind Speed", "", "", "Map tiles by OpenWeatherMap, under CC BY-SA 4.0", "http://tile.openweathermap.org/map/wind_new/%7Bz%7D/%7Bx%7D/%7By%7D.png?APPID=f9d0069aa69438d52276ae25c1ee9893", "", "19", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","CartoDb Dark Matter", "", "", "Map tiles by CartoDB, under CC BY 3.0. Data by OpenStreetMap, under ODbL.", "http://basemaps.cartocdn.com/dark_all/%7Bz%7D/%7Bx%7D/%7By%7D.png", "", "20", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","CartoDb Positron", "", "", "Map tiles by CartoDB, under CC BY 3.0. Data by OpenStreetMap, under ODbL.", "http://basemaps.cartocdn.com/light_all/%7Bz%7D/%7Bx%7D/%7By%7D.png", "", "20", "0"])
sources.append(["connections-xyz","Bing VirtualEarth", "", "", "", "http://ecn.t3.tiles.virtualearth.net/tiles/a{q}.jpeg?g=1", "", "19", "1"])

# Add sources to browser
for source in sources:
   connectionType = source[0]
   connectionName = source[1]
   QSettings().setValue("qgis/%s/%s/authcfg" % (connectionType, connectionName), source[2])
   QSettings().setValue("qgis/%s/%s/password" % (connectionType, connectionName), source[3])
   QSettings().setValue("qgis/%s/%s/referer" % (connectionType, connectionName), source[4])
   QSettings().setValue("qgis/%s/%s/url" % (connectionType, connectionName), source[5])
   QSettings().setValue("qgis/%s/%s/username" % (connectionType, connectionName), source[6])
   QSettings().setValue("qgis/%s/%s/zmax" % (connectionType, connectionName), source[7])
   QSettings().setValue("qgis/%s/%s/zmin" % (connectionType, connectionName), source[8])

# Update GUI
iface.reloadConnections()

3. After code executes a list of basemaps will appear under the XYZ Tiles in the Browser panel, see image below.

   

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References:

• OPEN.GIS.LAB | Adding Basemaps in QGIS 3.0
• qgis_basemaps.py
• OpenLayers plugin in QGIS 3.6

Answer 5

If you're looking to add the ESRI basemaps to QGIS, follow the steps in this blogpost using the QGIS Python console:

Copy and paste this code into the QGIS Python Console:

Adds ESRI_Imagery_World_2D service:

qgis.utils.iface.addRasterLayer("http://server.arcgisonline.com/arcgis/rest/services/ESRI_Imagery_World_2D/MapServer?f=json&pretty=true","raster")

Adds ESRI World_Street_Map service:

qgis.utils.iface.addRasterLayer("https://services.arcgisonline.com/arcgis/rest/services/World_Street_Map/MapServer?f=json&pretty=true","raster")

Then you can save these as QGIS Layer Definition Files and add them later to any project

And here's the REST endpoint of all the ArcGIS Online basemaps you can add using the above code:

https://services.arcgisonline.com/arcgis/rest/services

Answer 6

there are several satellite base maps which can be applied to QGIS as the base map of the project and some of them are,

1. Google Earth Base Map
2. Bing Virtual Earth Base Map
3. Esri Base Map

please follow the following steps,

1. Go to Layers > Data Source Management
2. Go to the tab XYZ Connections

3. Add a New XYZ Connection

4. fill the name and the web URL from either one of the following names and URLs

Google Earth Base Map : https://mt1.google.com/vt/lyrs=s&x={x}&y={y}&z={z}

Bing Virtual Earth : http://ecn.t3.tiles.virtualearth.net/tiles/a{q}.jpeg?g=1

Esri Base Map : https://server.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/World_Imagery/MapServer/tile/{z}/{y}/{x}

Google Satellite Street Map Hybrid : https://mt1.google.com/vt/lyrs=y&x={x}&y={y}&z={z}

Open Topological Map : https://tile.opentopomap.org/{z}/{x}/{y}.png

Open Street Map : http://tile.openstreetmap.org/{z}/{x}/{y}.png

Google Street Map : https://mt1.google.com/vt/lyrs=m&x={x}&y={y}&z={z}

Google Terrain Map : http://mt0.google.com/vt/lyrs=t&hl=en&x={x}&y={y}&z={z}

Google Terrain Street Hybrid : http://mt0.google.com/vt/lyrs=p&hl=en&x={x}&y={y}&z={z}

Google Alternative Street Map : http://mt0.google.com/vt/lyrs=r&hl=en&x={x}&y={y}&z={z}

5. Select the preferred satellite base map from the drop down list and Add

Then the map will automatically update as you scroll and zoom with a working internet connection

Answer 7

How to add +50 base maps in 1 min in QGIS https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=94&v=jPsf_BFCV3E