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Interpreting the colored lines, areas, and other symbols is the first step in using topographic maps. Features are shown as points, lines, or areas, depending on their size and extent. For example, individual houses may be shown as small black squares.
- USGS Publications Warehouse
Reading Topographic Maps. Interpreting the colored lines,...
- Topographic Map Symbols
Introduction. Interpreting the colored lines, areas, and...
- USGS Publications Warehouse
Reading Topographic Maps. Interpreting the colored lines, areas, and other symbols is the fi rst step in using topographic maps. Features are shown as points, lines, or areas, depending on their size and extent. For example, individual houses may be shown as small black squares.
US Topos are freely distributable and are available for download on the Web from the USGS Store (http://store.usgs.gov) in Portable Document Format (PDF) with geospatial extensions (GeoPDF®, a registered trademark of TerraGo Technologies).
See the latest legend with symbols and colors that are used on USGS topographic maps. The legend and the topo maps are free to use on a computer or a phone.
Introduction. Interpreting the colored lines, areas, and other symbols is the first step in using topographic maps. Features are shown as points, lines, or areas, depending on their size and extent. For example, individual houses may be shown as small black squares.
Download our historical topographic maps and our more current US Topo maps (published 2009-present) free of charge using TopoView (GeoPDF, GeoTIFF, JPEG, and KMZ formats) or using the USGS Store’s Map Locator (GeoPDF format).
There is no single document that describes all symbols used on all USGS topographic maps, but to help you read these maps, the USGS provides a variety of symbol guides. Two of particular value include the topographic map collection symbols guide, and the USGS Topographic maps home.
