---
title: "How to import a GeoTIFF"
description: "Import a GeoTIFF raster from a .zip archive. The raster needs coordinate-system information, and the archive must stay under the upload limit."
sidebar:
  label: "Import a GeoTIFF"
---

MangoMap imports a GeoTIFF from a `.zip` archive. The raster must include coordinate-system information, and the archive must be 5 GB or smaller. This format does not accept loose `.tif` files.

## Before you start

- You need an account role of `Admin` or above to import data.
- The uploaded archive must end in `.zip`.
- The archive must be 5 GB or smaller.
- The GeoTIFF must be georeferenced — embedded coordinate-system information is required for MangoMap to place the raster correctly.

## How to zip a GeoTIFF

Put only the `.tif` file in the zip. Leave out sidecar files such as `.tfw` or `.aux.xml`.

- **macOS / Linux:** in a terminal, run:

  ```console
  $ zip imagery.zip imagery.tif
  ```
- **Windows:** right-click the `.tif` file and choose `Send to → Compressed (zipped) folder`.

## Open the import page

In the `Data portal`, click `Import data`. Or, from a map, open `Manage layers` and click `Import new data` to import directly into that map.

## Pick the format and upload

In the `Data format` dropdown, select `GeoTIFF`. Click `Upload files` and select your `.zip` archive, or drag it onto the page. Wait until the progress bar is full.

## Name the dataset and save

When the upload is complete, the name and description fields appear:

<img src="/_assets/importing-data/import-geotiff--upload.png" alt="Import data page with Data format GeoTIFF, interlaken_landcover.zip in the .zip row with a full progress bar, Dataset name Interlaken Land Cover, an empty Description, and the Save button" width="1600" height="960" />

- Check the `Dataset name`. MangoMap fills in the file name; change it if you want a clearer name. A name is required.
- Optionally add a `Description`.

Click `Save`. A `Processing data…` dialog appears while MangoMap unpacks the archive, reads the raster, and prepares it for the map.

Raster processing is heavier than vector processing — expect this to take longer than a comparably sized vector upload.

## If your raster is over 5 GB

5 GB is a per-file limit on the `.zip` archive. If your GeoTIFF is over the limit, options include:

- **Compress the GeoTIFF** — using LZW or DEFLATE can substantially reduce file size with no data loss.
- **Convert to a Cloud-Optimized GeoTIFF (COG) first** with `gdal_translate -of COG` and apply compression:

  ```console
  $ gdal_translate -of COG -co COMPRESS=DEFLATE input.tif output.tif
  ```

  Converting only helps with the file-size limit, not processing time.
- **Tile and import in pieces** if the area is naturally divisible.

## Troubleshooting

**Processing fails with `Unsupported coordinate system`.** The GeoTIFF declares a projection MangoMap can't reproject from. Reproject the raster to `EPSG:4326` or `EPSG:3857` first using `gdalwarp -t_srs EPSG:3857 input.tif output.tif`. See [Unsupported coordinate system](/docs/importing-data/troubleshoot-unsupported-crs).

**The raster has no spatial reference.** A GeoTIFF without embedded CRS won't georeference correctly. Add a CRS in QGIS (`Layer → Set CRS`) or `gdal_edit.py -a_srs EPSG:4326 input.tif`, then re-zip and upload.

**Storage limit reached.** Your account has run out of storage. See [Storage limit reached when importing](/docs/importing-data/troubleshoot-storage-limit).

## Related

- [Supported file formats and limits](/docs/importing-data/supported-formats)
- [How importing data works in MangoMap](/docs/importing-data/concepts-importing-data)
- [Unsupported coordinate system](/docs/importing-data/troubleshoot-unsupported-crs)