Free Online Elevation Contour Generator: Create Topographic Maps Instantly

The Ultimate Topographic Map Creator for Your Projects

Welcome to our Free Elevation Contour Generator – the most powerful online tool for creating accurate topographic maps, contour plans, and elevation visualizations. Whether you’re a landscape architect, civil engineer, hiker, surveyor, or educator, our contour map maker provides the precision and flexibility you need for any project.

Why Choose Our Online Contour Map Creator?

Unlike other topographic map generators that require complex software or paid subscriptions, our free contour map generator gives you professional-quality results in minutes.

Key Features of Our Topographical Map Maker:

• 100% Free – No hidden costs or premium features
• High-Resolution Contours – Create detailed topographic maps with customizable contour intervals
• Large Area Coverage – Generate contours for areas up to 1000 km² or 1000 square miles
• Multiple Units – Choose between meters or feet for elevation measurements
• Color-Coded Elevation – Instantly visualize terrain height with intuitive color schemes
• Downloadable Results – Export your contour maps as GeoJSON for use in CAD, GIS, or other software
• User-Friendly Interface – No technical expertise required to create beautiful contour maps

How to Use Our Elevation Map Generator

Creating a topographic map with elevation contours is simple:

1. Draw a rectangle on the map to select your area of interest
2. Choose your preferred units (meters or feet)
3. Set your desired contour interval
4. Click “Generate Contours” to create your topographic map
5. Download your completed contour map as GeoJSON

Whether you need to make a simple contour map for a small site plan or generate comprehensive topographic lines for a large terrain analysis, our tool adapts to your requirements.

Applications for Our Contour Map Generator

Our topographic map creator is perfect for:

• Land Development – Create site plans with accurate contour lines for construction projects
• Landscape Architecture – Design with a thorough understanding of the site’s topography
• Hiking and Outdoor Activities – Generate custom elevation maps for trail planning
• Education – Teach students about topographic mapping and terrain visualization
• Flood Analysis – Study elevation changes for environmental assessment
• Agricultural Planning – Optimize irrigation and land use based on topographical features
• 3D Modeling – Export contours as the foundation for 3D terrain models

Why Topographic Maps Matter

Contour maps are essential tools for understanding terrain. Each contour line connects points of equal elevation, providing a powerful visual representation of the Earth’s surface. Our contour generator makes it easy to create these valuable maps without specialized training.

Unlike flat maps or satellite imagery, topographic maps with contour lines reveal crucial information about the landscape’s three-dimensional characteristics. This data is invaluable for planning, analysis, and decision-making across numerous fields.

Advanced Features for Professional Needs

For professionals requiring detailed topographic analysis, our elevation contour map tool offers:

• Adjustable Contour Intervals – Set precise elevation increments for your specific needs
• Area Size Calculations – Automatically measures and displays selected area size
• Interactive Elevation Display – Click any contour line to see its exact elevation
• Visual Legend – Includes a comprehensive color-coded elevation legend
• Real-Time Feedback – Performance optimization suggestions based on area size and contour interval

Start Creating Beautiful Topographic Maps Today

Experience the simplicity and power of our contour map generator. No registration required – just open the tool and start creating professional-quality topographic maps instantly.

Whether you’re drawing a simple contour plan or generating comprehensive elevation maps, our free online tool provides everything you need for accurate terrain visualization.

Create your first topographic map now and discover why thousands of professionals and enthusiasts trust our free elevation contour generator for their mapping needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Elevation Contour Generator

General Questions

What is an elevation contour map?

An elevation contour map is a topographic representation of terrain where contour lines connect points of equal elevation. Each line represents a specific elevation level, allowing you to visualize the three-dimensional shape of the land on a two-dimensional map. The closer together the contour lines appear, the steeper the terrain.

What can I use contour maps for?

Contour maps have numerous applications including land development planning, landscape architecture, hiking and trail planning, flood analysis, construction site preparation, agricultural planning, environmental assessments, educational purposes, and as a foundation for 3D terrain modeling.

Is this contour map generator really free?

Yes! Our elevation contour generator is completely free to use. There are no hidden fees, subscription costs, or premium features locked behind a paywall. You can generate and download as many contour maps as you need.

What data source does your contour generator use?

Our tool uses elevation data from AWS Terrain Tiles, which provides global coverage with high-quality, consistent elevation data. This ensures accuracy and reliability for your topographic maps.

Using the Tool

How large an area can I map at once?

You can generate contour maps for areas up to 1000 km² when using meters as your unit of measurement, or up to 1000 square miles when using feet. This generous limit allows for mapping large regions while maintaining performance.

What contour interval should I use?

The ideal contour interval depends on your specific needs and the terrain characteristics:

• For detailed site plans of small areas, intervals of 1-5 meters/feet work well
• For general topographic mapping, 10-20 meters/feet is commonly used
• For mountainous or high-relief areas, 20-50 meters/feet may be more appropriate
• For regional overview maps, intervals of 50-100 meters/feet help simplify visualization

Note that smaller intervals create more detailed maps but may affect performance, especially for larger areas.

Can I customize the appearance of my contour map?

The contour lines are automatically color-coded based on elevation, with a legend displaying the elevation ranges. While advanced styling options aren’t available directly in the tool, you can download your map as GeoJSON and import it into GIS software or CAD programs for further customization.

How accurate are the elevation contours?

The contours are generated from AWS Terrain Tiles data, which has global coverage with typical vertical accuracy of approximately 5-10 meters in most regions. While suitable for most planning and visualization purposes, these contours may not meet requirements for detailed engineering design or construction where survey-grade accuracy is required.

What file format do you provide for downloads?

Currently, we offer downloads in GeoJSON format, which is widely supported by GIS software, CAD programs, and web mapping libraries. This open format ensures maximum compatibility with other tools in your workflow.

Technical Questions

Why does the tool warn me about small contour intervals in large areas?

Generating very detailed contours (small intervals) over large areas creates many individual contour lines, which can:

1. Slow down processing time and browser performance
2. Create maps that are visually cluttered and difficult to interpret
3. Produce large file sizes that may be challenging to work with

We recommend using larger intervals for big areas, then focusing on smaller regions with finer detail as needed.

Does the tool work on mobile devices?

Yes, our contour generator works on mobile devices, though the larger screen space of tablets and desktop computers provides a better experience for detailed map creation and visualization.

Why are some areas showing gaps or strange patterns in the contour lines?

Occasionally, you may notice gaps or irregularities in contour lines. This typically happens in areas where:

• The elevation data has limitations or artifacts
• There are very steep cliffs or walls (contour lines may appear to merge)
• Water bodies exist (many elevation datasets have limited accuracy over water)
• Very flat areas exist (may show few or no contour lines)

How can I improve performance when working with large areas?

To optimize performance:

• Use larger contour intervals when mapping extensive areas
• Focus on smaller regions of interest when detailed contours are needed
• Allow sufficient time for processing when generating contours for large areas
• Ensure your device has adequate memory and processing capabilities

Using Your Contour Maps

Can I import the GeoJSON into CAD software?

Yes, most modern CAD software supports GeoJSON import, either natively or through plugins. Programs like AutoCAD Civil 3D, Rhino, and SketchUp can work with the contour data you generate.

How do I use these contours for 3D modeling?

The GeoJSON output contains elevation data that can be imported into 3D modeling software. Many programs like Blender, Rhino, or specialized GIS software can convert contour lines into 3D terrain models through extrusion or surface generation algorithms.

Are the coordinates in the exported file georeferenced?

Yes, all exported data is properly georeferenced with standard WGS84 coordinates (latitude/longitude), making it compatible with global mapping systems and easy to integrate with other spatial data.

Can I print these contour maps?

While our tool doesn’t have direct printing functionality, you can:

1. Take screenshots of the generated maps
2. Import the GeoJSON into GIS software like QGIS (free) to create printable layouts
3. Open the files in specialized mapping software to add additional elements before printing