December 2021
Using Georeferenced Layers in QGIS
This guide explains how to add georeferenced maps to QGIS as either XYZ or WMTS tilesets.
View a Brief layers list or Where to Find Layer URLs (in our Explore Georeferenced Maps viewer).
Once you've selected a map, copy the associated XYZ or WMTS URL depending on your choice of method. Next, launch QGIS and follow the appropriate XYZ or WMTS guide:
I. Adding XYZ Tilesets in QGIS
II. Adding WMTS Tilesets in QGIS
I. Adding XYZ Tilesets in QGIS
- From the left-hand Browser Panel, right-click on XYZ Tiles and select New Connection.
(Tip: Make sure your Coordinate Reference System (CRS) is set to (WGS 84) EPSG: 3857/ Google Spherical Mercator. Click the CRS tool from the menu bar at the bottom of your screen, which also contains the scale and magnifier options. Navigate to the correct CRS in the new dialog box which appears and select OK). - Paste the XYZ URL into the dialog box and select OK. To find URLs view our Brief layers list or read
Where to Find Layer URLs (in our Explore Georeferenced Maps viewer).
- In the new XYZ Tile Layer dialog box enter a suitable name for your map and select OK.
- Finally, double-click XYZ Tiles in the left-hand Browser Panel. The new XYZ Tile layer should appear underneath the XYZ Tiles option, double click it to add the georeferenced map to your project.
II. Adding WMTS Tilesets in QGIS
- From the Layer menu, select Layer > Add WMS/WMTS Layer.
- In the dialog box make sure the layers tab is select before clicking New.
- Give your layer a suitable name and add the WMTS URL. Press OK. To find URLs view our Brief layers list or read
Where to Find Layer URLs (in our Explore Georeferenced Maps viewer).
- Back in the Add Layer(s) from a WM(T)S Server dialog box, click Connect.
- The dialog box should switch to the Tilesets tab, and the name of your layer should appear. Select your layer and click Add.
- Select Close to exit the dialog box.
- You should now see your map as a layer inside your QGIS project.
View related pages:
- Using georeferenced layers in ArcGIS – as XYZ / WMTS tilesets
- Using georeferenced layers inside geojson.io
- Using georeferenced layers inside OpenStreetMap
How to find URLs of georeferenced layers:
- Brief layers list - with XYZ / WMTS URLs
- Where to Find Layer URLs - in our Explore Georeferenced Maps viewer
View our Guide to re-using georeferenced maps.
If you have further suggestions or comments on this guide, please contact us at maps@nls.uk.