Making maps from OpenStreetMap for Garmin devices

The mkgmap program takes OpenStreetMap data and generates a map in the Garmin .img file format so that it can be loaded onto compatible GPS units.

If you are not already familliar with Open Street Map (OSM) then you why not head over to the OSM website and maybe get involved. The idea is create an editable map of the whole world. OSM map data is the only format that is well supported by mkgmap.

Features

Generates a map directly from a file saved from JOSM or from an extract of the main OSM planet file.
Converts several .osm files in one run of the program to create a map tile set.
Creates a .tdb file and an overview map that can be used to view the maps in MapSource or QLandkarte.
Creates a gmapsupp.img file that can be copied directly to an SD card.
Can also combine previously produced .img files into one gmapsupp.img file.
Create a .tdb and overview map from previously produced .img files.
The mapping between OSM features features in the Garmin map can be customised.
Transliteration of characters to ascii where that is possible to enable viewing on low end devices or for international maps.
Character set can be specified for display on capable GPS devices.
Control over the zoom levels that any feature appears at.

The program does not send the created maps to the GPS unit. This can be done with another program such as sendmap or qlandkarte. If your GPS device has a removable SD card, then you can just create a gmapsupp.img file and copy it to the cards in the Garmin directory.

Download mkgmap

There is just an all in one source and binary distribution. You may freely download the software and use it under the terms of the GPLv2 licence.

Go to the mkgmap download page.

Subversion access for mkgmap

Subversion access is at:

 http://svn.parabola.me.uk/mkgmap/trunk

Mailing list

You can keep track of progress and contribute by joining a mailing list.

List name	Subscription	Archives	Description
mkgmap-dev	Subscribe	Archive	This is the main development list. As it is currently the only list, feel free to ask any mkgmap related question.

More details on mkgmap

For more information please go the the OpenStreetMap wiki page.