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FlatGeobuf Viewer

Understand FlatGeobuf, its role in high-performance vector delivery, and when it is useful to convert it into other GIS formats.

Stream and view high-performance FlatGeobuf files.
All processing runs locally in your browser.

FlatGeobuf

Stream and view high-performance FlatGeobuf files.

How to open FlatGeobuf online

View FlatGeobuf files instantly. Stream and view high-performance FlatGeobuf files.

Privacy

Files are processed on your device in the browser. GeoDataViewer does not upload your datasets to a server for viewing.

Common issues

If a dataset uses multiple required sidecar files, make sure you provide the complete set together. For best results, keep all sidecars in one zip archive when applicable.

Related tools

Measure distances, areas, elevation, and radius circles using the tools menu, then come back to inspect your FlatGeobuf layer on the map.

What is FlatGeobuf?

FlatGeobuf is a compact binary vector format built for efficient reading, streaming, and distribution of large static geospatial datasets.

FlatGeobuf focuses on performance. It uses a binary layout that is lighter to parse than text-heavy formats and is well suited to delivering large feature collections without the overhead of a database server.
The format is especially attractive for publish-once, read-many workflows where the main goal is quick transfer and efficient client-side access rather than rich transactional editing.

What is FlatGeobuf used for?

  • Packaging large vector layers for fast download and client-side reading.
  • Distributing static datasets that benefit from compact binary storage.
  • Serving as a modern single-file alternative to older interchange formats.

Common use cases

  • Download products for large basemap or thematic reference layers.
  • High-volume data publishing where users need a file instead of an API.
  • Intermediate exchange artifacts in automated pipelines that value speed and compactness.

Strengths

  • Binary encoding is more compact and faster to parse than many text formats.
  • Single-file delivery is easy to move and archive.
  • Good fit for large static datasets that do not need a full database container.

Limitations

  • It is less familiar to many business users than GeoJSON, CSV, or shapefile.
  • Text inspection is not as convenient because the format is binary.
  • Some downstream tools still require legacy or standards-driven export formats.

File extensions and sidecar files

.fgb
Main FlatGeobuf binary file containing the features and associated spatial index information.
embedded spatial index
FlatGeobuf can carry indexing information inside the file instead of relying on separate sidecars.

Convert FlatGeobuf online

FlatGeobuf to CSV
Open, preview, and convert FlatGeobuf locally in your browser.
FlatGeobuf to AutoCAD DXF
Open, preview, and convert FlatGeobuf locally in your browser.
FlatGeobuf to File Geodatabase
Open, preview, and convert FlatGeobuf locally in your browser.
FlatGeobuf to GeoJSON
Open, preview, and convert FlatGeobuf locally in your browser.
FlatGeobuf to GeoRSS
Open, preview, and convert FlatGeobuf locally in your browser.
FlatGeobuf to GML
Open, preview, and convert FlatGeobuf locally in your browser.
FlatGeobuf to GeoPackage
Open, preview, and convert FlatGeobuf locally in your browser.
FlatGeobuf to GPX
Open, preview, and convert FlatGeobuf locally in your browser.
FlatGeobuf to JSON-FG
Open, preview, and convert FlatGeobuf locally in your browser.
FlatGeobuf to KML
Open, preview, and convert FlatGeobuf locally in your browser.
FlatGeobuf to MapInfo
Open, preview, and convert FlatGeobuf locally in your browser.
FlatGeobuf to MBTiles
Open, preview, and convert FlatGeobuf locally in your browser.

FlatGeobuf Viewer FAQ

When should I choose FlatGeobuf?

Choose it when you need a fast, compact single-file vector delivery format for large static datasets.

Why is FlatGeobuf less common than GeoJSON?

GeoJSON is easier for people to read and already baked into many web and API workflows, while FlatGeobuf optimizes for performance instead.

Why convert FlatGeobuf after download?

Users often convert it into a format that matches their editing software, reporting tool, or required delivery standard.