Description
Adding a footpath or fixing a mis-drawn building on OpenStreetMap is fine with a few clicks in the web editor, but bulk edits, precise work against GPS traces and aerial imagery, or processing a whole area at once, are beyond it. JOSM (Java OpenStreetMap Editor) is the desktop tool for that: the map fills the window with editing tools arranged around it, and you load aerial imagery and GPS traces as reference to draw or correct roads, buildings and areas precisely.
It downloads an area straight from OSM to edit, or opens local OSM, GPX and JPG files, then saves locally or uploads back to OpenStreetMap. Presets organize common feature types and tags, so drawing a park or marking a restaurant needs no memorizing of tags; an imagery layer lets you trace, and GPS traces correct positions. Functionality extends through plugins. Written in Java, needing Java 11 or newer, open source.
Precise feature editing: add, move and delete roads, buildings and areas, adjust node positions and draw polygons, aimed at area-wide work rather than one-off edits.
Imagery and GPS reference: load aerial imagery to trace and import GPS traces to correct positions, drawing against real references.
Presets and tags: built-in presets for common features apply a type and tags in one pick, without memorizing OSM's tagging scheme.
Formats, download and upload: open OSM, GPX and JPG, download areas directly from OpenStreetMap to edit, and save locally or upload back.
Plugins: beyond the core, plugins add tools for different mapping and data-processing needs.
It downloads an area straight from OSM to edit, or opens local OSM, GPX and JPG files, then saves locally or uploads back to OpenStreetMap. Presets organize common feature types and tags, so drawing a park or marking a restaurant needs no memorizing of tags; an imagery layer lets you trace, and GPS traces correct positions. Functionality extends through plugins. Written in Java, needing Java 11 or newer, open source.
Features
Precise feature editing: add, move and delete roads, buildings and areas, adjust node positions and draw polygons, aimed at area-wide work rather than one-off edits.
Imagery and GPS reference: load aerial imagery to trace and import GPS traces to correct positions, drawing against real references.
Presets and tags: built-in presets for common features apply a type and tags in one pick, without memorizing OSM's tagging scheme.
Formats, download and upload: open OSM, GPX and JPG, download areas directly from OpenStreetMap to edit, and save locally or upload back.
Plugins: beyond the core, plugins add tools for different mapping and data-processing needs.
