A basemap is the background map layer that provides geographic context for your data. Atlas includes a built-in set of basemap styles and also supports connecting to external tile services.
Switching basemap styles
Click the Basemap button in the bottom-right corner of the map editor to open the style picker. The button shows a small preview of the currently active basemap. Click any style to apply it — the change takes effect immediately and is saved automatically with your project.
The picker includes:
- Light / Street styles — clean road maps suited for most data overlays
- Dark styles — inverted palettes that make bright data stand out
- Satellite — real-world aerial imagery; this is the "physical" or terrain view most users are looking for
- Custom styles — Daybreak, Overcast, Lavender, Dune, Indigo, and others added over time
If you are looking for a physical or terrain-style map, select Satellite from the picker.
Rotating the map and compass
Atlas maps can be rotated to any bearing. To rotate the map, hold Ctrl and drag your mouse left or right. On a touchpad, use a two-finger drag sideways.
When the map is rotated away from north, a compass icon appears in the map controls. Click the compass to snap the map back to north-up orientation.
The rotation controls work in both 2D and 3D mode. See 3D Mode for additional tilt and pitch controls.
Auto-save
All changes in Atlas — including basemap selection, layer visibility, and styling — save automatically. There is no explicit save action. You can close the browser tab and reopen the project without losing work.
Custom basemaps
Atlas also supports connecting to any external map service that provides a Style JSON URL or XYZ tile endpoint. This is useful when you need a specific commercial style or a self-hosted tile server.
To add a custom basemap, click the Basemap button in the bottom-right corner and choose Custom.
MapTiler
Tiles hosted by MapTiler can be used in Atlas via Vector Style JSON:
https://api.maptiler.com/maps/{layer}/style.json?key={key}
Sample tile URL
https://api.maptiler.com/maps/basic-v2/style.json?key={YOUR_MAPTILER_KEY}
⚠️ Users with whom you share a Atlas map with a custom MapTiler background will be able to view the public API key.
Stadia Maps
Add the Vector Style URL for any Stadia Maps style:
https://tiles.stadiamaps.com/styles/alidade_smooth.json
Carto CDN
https://basemaps.cartocdn.com/gl/positron-gl-style/style.json
XYZ / ZXY Tiles
Atlas supports basemaps served via XYZ (also known as ZXY or slippy map) tile services using {x}, {y}, and {z} placeholders:
https://yourtileserver.com/{z}/{x}/{y}.png
For example, ArcGIS World Imagery:
https://services.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/World_Imagery/MapServer/tile/{z}/{y}/{x}