How to buy - mapping information and products

This information focuses on ordering data for use in a geographical information system (GIS). Paper maps, which are a useful back-up for an in-car satnav, are available from our map shop. 

Licensing data directly from us

OS MasterMap

Orders for OS MasterMap data orders are placed and, unless you order large amounts of data, fulfilled online via a secure website.

To get a username and password with which to access the website, you mst apply for a credit account with us that enables our Finance team to invoice you for your orders.

Once you are able to log in, you can obtain an online estimate based on:

• the area for which you wish to order data (you can plot the precise area for which you wish to license data by drawing a shape – or several of them if you need coverage of different towns, for exmaple – on a map);
• the layers or themes you require (choose from a map of your chosen area, address coordinates, vehicle routing information or aerial photography);
• how long you wish to use the data (the licence period); and
• how users will have access to the data.

If you're happy with the estimate, you convert it into a contract by accepting terms and conditions and choosing whether you will pay up-front or in annual instalments.

Finally, you place your actual order by specifying how you would like your data delivered.

If you choose to download the data from our FTP server, you will shortly receive via email a link to your data order, enabling you to download it to your computer. Should you choose supply via CD or DVD, it will be delivered by post within a few days.

  Full guided tour of the ordering interface

Other data products

If you know which data products you wish to license from us, you can request a quotation from us. We draw this up for you offline, owing to the number of variables involved, such as:

• your preferred licence term;
• how you wish to use it (this determines which licence is best for your needs)
• how large the area is for which you need data
• how much detail there is on the map (when licensing some products, we charge more for coverage of urban areas than for moorland)
• how many people will be licensed to use the data.

If the quotation is satisfactory, you may order data by downloading and completing the relevant forms from the pricing and licensing page for the product(s) you have decided to license. The forms in question are

• the Framework Direct Licence, under which a number of products are licensed;
• an order form for (each of) your chosen product(s);

Once these have all been processed, we will send you your data either on CD or DVD depending on the space on disk required by the files.

Licensing data from one of our partners

Ordnance Survey Mapping and Data Centres

This national network of high street outlets are the sole distributors of our OS Sitemap and OS Landplan data products, designed for architects for surveyors who use CAD systems rather than GIS. Data can be downloaded and written to CD or DVD while you wait; you can also have it emailed to you.

If you need data on a regular basis, you can sign up with an MDC as a Desktop Mapping customer; this gives you access to the ordering system we provide to them, enabling you to download data from our servers whenever suits you and benefit from the technical support they can provide.

Licensed partners

Some of our licensed partners can supply most of our products to you via the Web, offering both online ordering and fulfilment (provided that the data file size isn't too large). This is useful if you need our data only on an occasional basis.

Others can provide complete solutions, combining our data with software, hardware and consultants to install it for you. Using GIS enables you better to understand the location-based dimension of your data and so make better decisions on the basis of your analysis.

To identify partners who can best help you fulfil your specific needs, please get in touch; a member of our Partner team will then help you clarify your requirements and recommend a way forward.