USGS 3DEP lidar coverage map

ToposNow indexes 3,483 published USGS 3DEP lidar collections across the United States, 2,532 of which meet the 10 cm RMSEz survey-grade tiers (QL1/QL2).

The interactive map on this page shows where that data exists, split into selectable accuracy tiers. Click any shaded area to see when it was flown and its stated vertical accuracy.

What the coverage layers show

  • High-density, ≤10 cm vertical accuracy (QL2 or better) — the survey-grade tier, shown in blue.
  • QL3 quality, 20 cm vertical accuracy — older collections, shown in amber.
  • All available lidar coverage underneath, in neutral slate.

USGS lidar quality levels

USGS quality levels describe the maximum vertical error (RMSEz in open terrain) and the minimum point density of a collection, per the USGS Lidar Base Specification.

QL0: 5 cm vertical accuracy, at least 8 points per square metre. QL1: 10 cm, at least 8 points per square metre. QL2: 10 cm, at least 2 points per square metre. QL3: 20 cm, at least 0.5 points per square metre.

Coverage varies within every state

Statewide totals are a starting point, not an answer. Collections are flown project by project, so two sites in the same county can have different flight dates and different accuracy.

Draw your exact site on the map for a free availability report listing the collections covering it, their flight dates, and their accuracy.

Draw your site and get a free availability report

Browse lidar coverage by state

Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming

Frequently asked questions

How do I check whether lidar data exists for my site?

Draw your site boundary on the ToposNow map and you get a free availability report listing every USGS 3DEP collection covering it, with flight dates and stated vertical accuracy — before any payment.

What does survey-grade lidar mean on this map?

ToposNow labels collections meeting 10 cm RMSEz vertical accuracy or better — USGS quality levels QL2, QL1, and QL0 — as survey-grade. These are shown as the high-density tier on the coverage map.

What is the difference between QL2 and QL3 lidar?

QL2 lidar has a maximum vertical error of 10 cm and at least 2 points per square metre. QL3 has a maximum vertical error of 20 cm and at least 0.5 points per square metre, and generally comes from older collections.

Is USGS 3DEP lidar data free to use?

The underlying USGS 3DEP lidar is public domain data. ToposNow charges for clipping, classifying, reprojecting, and converting it into project-ready deliverables such as Civil 3D surfaces, DEMs, and contour map PDFs.