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List of Free WMS and WMTS Basemap URLs (2026)

Stop searching for "that NASA link" every time you start a new project. We've compiled the most reliable, high-performance, and completely free Web Map Service (WMS) and Web Map Tile Service (WMTS) endpoints available today. If you're building a dashboard on Geodocs, styling in QGIS, or developing with MapLibre, these are the "GetCapabilities" URLs you need.

Global Base Maps (The Essentials)

  • OpenStreetMap (Standard)
  • Provider: Terrestris / OSM Community Format: WMS URL: https://ows.terrestris.de/osm/service? Why use: The gold standard for open-source vector-based styles converted into a fast WMS.
  • USGS National Map (Topo)
  • Provider: U.S. Geological Survey Format: WMTS (Cached) URL: https://basemap.nationalmap.gov/arcgis/rest/services/USGSTopo/MapServer/WMTS/1.0.0/WMTSCapabilities.xml Why use: High-quality topographic maps, including contour lines and hydrography (primarily focused on the U.S., but useful for global reference).

Satellite and Aerial Imagery

  • NASA GIBS (Global Imagery Browse Services)
  • Provider: NASA Earthdata Format: WMTS / WMS EPSG:4326 (Geographic) or 3857 (Web Mercator) URL (WMTS): https://gibs.earthdata.nasa.gov/wmts/epsg3857/best/wmts.xml Why use: Near-real-time satellite imagery (MODIS/VIIRS) updated daily. Excellent for environmental monitoring.
  • Sentinel-2 Cloudless (Global)
  • Provider: EOX Format: WMTS URL: https://tiles.maps.eox.at/wmts/1.0.0/WMTSCapabilities.xml Why use: A beautiful, cloud-free global mosaic of Sentinel-2 data.

Specialized and Regional Data

Global Geology

OneGeology

http://portal.onegeology.org/OneGeologyGlobal/service/wms?

Brazil (IBGE)

IBGE

https://geoservicos.ibge.gov.br/geoserver/wms?

Ocean/Marine

GEBCO

https://www.gebco.net/data_and_products/gebco_web_services/web_map_service/mapserv?

Fires/Thermal

NASA FIRMS

https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/mapserver/wms-info/ (Requires free API key)

Why we created this list

At Geodocs, we believe GIS should be accessible. If you're tired of managing complex URLs and want a platform where these layers come ready to use, check out Geodocs.io.

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