License policy free maps

Our free maps are offered under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). You can use, share and adapt them, including in commercial projects, provided you follow that licence’s conditions.

How to credit a free map

Identify One Stop Map as the source, link to the original map and the licence where practical, and say whether you changed the artwork. Keep any attribution notices supplied with the material. Present the credit in a way that is reasonable for your medium and does not imply that we endorse your project.

A useful credit for our California example is:

California map by One Stop Map, CC BY 4.0. Colours changed.

Examples for different projects

• Website: put the credit in a readable caption beside or below the map. Link “One Stop Map” to the source product and link “CC BY 4.0” to the licence.
• Presentation: use a readable source note on the map slide, or a clearly identified credit slide. Include the map source and the licence; retain clickable links in a digital deck.
• Book or printed report: place the source, licence name and useful URLs in the figure caption or clearly associated credits. For example: “California map: One Stop Map, onestopmap.com/california/california-323/, CC BY 4.0, creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Colours changed.”
• Adapted map: identify your changes accurately, such as “Labels hidden and colours changed.” If you have not modified the artwork, say “Unmodified” instead.

Can I use a free map commercially?

Yes. CC BY 4.0 permits commercial use and adaptations. Keep complying with its attribution requirements and other conditions, including its rule against adding restrictions that remove recipients’ licensed freedoms. The licence remains available as long as its terms are followed.

These examples explain how to give credit; the full CC BY 4.0 legal code governs the licence. A free-map licence and our standard paid-map licence are different. If you choose a paid no-attribution option, check the paid-map policy and the option shown on that product.

Ready to choose a map? Read how to find and download our free maps, or contact us if you are unsure how to credit a specific use.