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Generate Contours and Export DXF Online

Generate contours within map bounds and export DXF in WGS84 or Web Mercator for CAD processing. Output contains contour features only, without roads, place names or basemap content.

Open contour DXF exportDownload sample outputs
DXFWGS84EPSG:3857Sample outputs
Contour DXF: data preview rendered from the actual site sample, not a CAD application screenshot.
Contour DXF: data preview rendered from the actual site sample, not a CAD application screenshot. · View full-size image© Mapbox

Data sources and output

Exported contours
GIS export recalculates contours from the Mapbox Terrain-RGB elevation raster and clips them to the export bounds. PNG captures the map presentation; DXF, GeoJSON and SVG contain recalculated line data. The lines may differ from the map display.
Horizontal coordinates and units
WGS84 outputs longitude as X and latitude as Y in degrees. EPSG:3857 outputs Web Mercator coordinates in meters. A meter-based projection is not a local engineering coordinate system and does not guarantee accurate ground distances.
DXF file structure
Current output uses AC1009 (R12) DXF with POLYLINE / VERTEX entities on the CONTOURS layer. The file does not declare INSUNITS; check coordinates and units when importing.
With elevation enabled
With elevation enabled, DXF vertex Z contains contour elevation in meters; GeoJSON includes a third coordinate and ele and elevation properties. Without it, DXF Z is 0 and cannot represent terrain heights.
Samples and import checks
The existing sample archive includes WGS84 and Web Mercator DXF, GeoJSON and SVG files in its contour directory. Open a sample in your target software, zoom to all objects, and inspect the CONTOURS layer, coordinate extent, units and vertex Z. Samples do not establish compatibility with every software version.
Data age and vertical datum
Terrain-RGB combines sources and vertical datums, and Mapbox no longer adds elevation updates to this tileset. Output is not normalized to a project-specific vertical datum and should not be used as survey or construction data.
Mapbox terrain data documentation

GIS data export requires Pro access and credits as shown in the export panel. Check the additional cost when including elevation.

Overview

What you can do

  • In the export panel, choose GIS data, then Contours to prepare a DXF export.
  • DXF, GeoJSON and SVG use the same contour source. Choose the format that suits your downstream software.
  • Output supports WGS84 longitude/latitude and EPSG:3857 Web Mercator coordinates.
  • Enable elevation to retain vertex Z values in meters in DXF; otherwise Z is 0.

How it works

Get started in three steps

  1. 01

    Set the bounds

    Locate your area, open Export map and switch to GIS data.

  2. 02

    Select contours

    Set the source to Contours, choose a coordinate system for your target software and decide whether to include elevation.

  3. 03

    Download DXF

    Export DXF, then check units, coordinates and layer structure in your CAD software.

Open contour DXF export

Before you begin

Device performance, data sources and target software can affect results. Check your output before use.

  • DXF contains generated contour features only. It does not automatically vectorize an entire commercial basemap.
  • CAD applications may interpret coordinates, units and DXF entities differently. Check sample files in your target software before production use.
  • Online terrain data is not engineering survey data and must not be used directly for construction, setting out or certified surveying.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does the DXF contain the whole map?

No. It contains recalculated contour features, without the complete Mapbox basemap, roads, place names or imagery.

Should I choose WGS84 or Web Mercator?

Follow your downstream software and project requirements. WGS84 uses longitude and latitude; EPSG:3857 uses Web Mercator coordinates in meters. Check the samples first.

Can I preview sample outputs?

Yes. The sample package includes contour DXF in both coordinate systems, plus corresponding GeoJSON and SVG files.

Use together

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