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THE FILE FIELD GUIDE
.mbtiles

Map Tile Database

Maps & GPS

MBTiles stores map tiles/metadata in SQLite. Raster and vector contents require appropriate support and may not preserve full editable source features.

Main use
Store tiles for offline maps
Data type
Binary data
All sections, questions and sources

Content reviewed： · Editor：Kai

Opening steps

Choose your environment or purpose to see its steps.

QGIS/GDAL with MBTiles support

Preserve the original and inspect a working copy in a compatible application.

  1. Check raster/vector tile type with the publisher.
  2. Load it through a compatible GIS.
  3. Inspect coverage at multiple zoom levels.
Inspect the received file and its requirements

Establish dependencies and settings before proceeding.

  1. Match tile encoding and viewer support.
  2. Check region and zoom coverage.
  3. For vector tiles check styles, fonts and other assets.

Menu labels and support vary by app, OS and version. Preserve the original before making changes.

Troubleshooting by symptom

  • Blank: check coverage and zoom range.
  • Not readable as imagery: check vector content.
  • Missing colors/labels: inspect style/assets.
  • Wrong location: check viewer coordinate/tile interpretation.

MBTiles → supported GIS map export

  1. Use the appropriate driver and export the needed extent separately.
  2. Reopen the output and check it against the preservation points in this guide before handoff.

Tiling may discard or simplify information that cannot be recovered.

Raster versus vector

A readable SQLite database is not enough: raster tiles are images while vectors need map rendering.

Source for these steps：Mapbox · MBTiles specification / GDAL · MBTiles driver / GDAL · Mapbox Vector Tiles driver

Worked example: checks before handoff

Example: test field-map coverage, labels and several zooms offline.

Source for these steps：Mapbox · MBTiles specification / GDAL · MBTiles driver / GDAL · Mapbox Vector Tiles driver

Related-format differences

Related-format differences
Format / methodPurpose and preserved information
.mbtilesStore tiles for offline maps
GeoPackage / PBFAnother spatial database / binary encoding with multiple uses.
MBTiles → supported GIS map exportTiling may discard or simplify information that cannot be recovered.

Handling and security

Check licensing, redistribution terms and location privacy.

Questions and answers

Can any SQLite editor edit it?

Tile consistency matters; avoid casual manual edits.

Always a world map?

Coverage varies by file.

Same as PBF?

MBTiles is a container; PBF can encode its vector tiles.

Format facts: name, steward and MIME type
Formal name
Map Tile Database
Steward / specification
Mapbox
MIME type
Consult the producer or delivery system. The extension alone does not establish a MIME type.

Primary and official sources

  • StandardMBTiles specification

    SQLite-based tiled-map storage specification.

    Mapbox · Link checked：
  • Software documentationMBTiles driver

    Raster/vector tile handling.

    GDAL · Link checked：
  • Software documentationMapbox Vector Tiles driver

    PBF vector tiles and coordinate context.

    GDAL · Link checked：