What is OpenStreetMap?
OpenStreetMap (OSM for short) is a free and open world map drawn together by volunteers.
Definition and Word Origin
The project was launched in 2004. Unlike commercial maps, the data is not produced by a company, but by a community of volunteers: Anyone can add new roads, buildings or landmarks, and correct errors. The data is publicly available under an ODbL license. This means that you can use the data for free, but you must indicate the source when sharing it.
How to Know and Use in Daily Life?
Navigation apps: Applications such as OsmAnd and MAPS.ME get their maps from OSM data.
Logistics: Route planning of distribution companies.
Disaster relief: Volunteers quickly mapping crisis areas (e.g. HOT community).
Town planning: Bicycle path and green area analysis.
Technical Depth and Architecture
OSM data consists of three building blocks:
Node: A single point (e.g. pharmacy location).
Way: Combination of nodes (street, building perimeter).
Relationship: Logical group (bus line) of parts.
Labels are attached to each element: key and value pairs, such as highway=residential. For editing, the iD editor in the browser or the advanced JOSM application is used.
The Overpass API is queried to retrieve specific data. For example, a small query that finds pharmacies in the area:
[out:json];
node["amenity"="pharmacy"](around:1000,41.0,29.0);
out;Raw data can be downloaded from Planet.osm. Map images are taken piece by piece from tile servers.
Use in Different Disciplines
Encyclopedia: The Wikipedia model where everyone writes and edits.
Open source software: Linux kernel growing with voluntary contribution.
Citizen science: Collecting bird observation records in a common database.
Questions and answers
Is it really free?
The data is free with an ODbL license. If you host it on your own server, you won't pay any additional fees. Companies offering ready-made tile services may charge an additional fee.
What is the difference with Google Maps?
Google produces the data in-house and binds it to API quotas. OSM data is produced by the community, you can download the raw data and process it unlimitedly.
How do I contribute to the map?
You can create an account and start with the iD editor in the browser. Adding the missing shop on your street is a good first step.
Can I use it in my commercial product?
Yes, but as required by ODbL, you must visibly provide OpenStreetMap attribution and share the derived data with the same license.
Related terms
This explanation was written in plain language for TreScout with AI and machine-translated from the Turkish original · the Turkish version prevails. If something looks wrong or missing, write to hello@trescout.com. Read in Turkish →