Link Search Menu Expand Document
Tools and Workflows in QGIS

Add a Basemap

A basemap is helpful to give spatial context to your data as you work. One way to add a basemap is through a plugin. QGIS plugins are user developed tools that extend QGIS functionality beyond the basics.

Two popular plugins for accessing basemaps are QuickMapServices and OpenLayers. Installing either of these plugins will connect you to a host of different basemaps which you can browse and add to your project all within your QGIS interface.

1 To access basemaps, we’ll first install the QuickMapServices plugin. Click on the Plugin menu at the top of your screen and select Manage and Install Plugins…


2 In the dialogue box that opens, select All as a search category on the left and type “QuickMapServices” as one word. Install the plugin and close the dialogue box.


3 Now go to the Web menu at the top of your screen. You should see the QuickMapServices plugin. Hover over it and click “Settings” at the bottom of the menu that pops up. In the settings dialogue box go to the “More services” tab and click “Get contributed pack.” Click save to close settings and return to the Web menu. This time when you hover over the QuickMapServices plugin you will see an array of basemap options.


4 Try adding different basemaps such Esri Sattelite or OSM Standard. Like QGIS, Open Street Map (OSM) is open source and user developed.

add basemap


Use the zoom tools located in the toolbar to zoom to see each basemap in detail. Hide a basemap at any time by unchecking the box beside it in the Layers panel. Remove a basemap at anytime by right clicking the layer and selecting “remove.”

remove basemap


Resources for further exploration