Zoom
Overview
Zoom is the process of changing the scale of a map or spatial data view in a GIS, allowing users to focus on specific areas or see a broader context. In web mapping, zoom is typically expressed as discrete levels (0-22) with each level doubling the resolution.
Key Concepts
Zoom in increases scale (more detail, smaller area). Zoom out decreases scale (less detail, larger area). Zoom level is a discrete step in web map tile pyramids (0-22). Tile is a pre-rendered image at a specific zoom level. Scale denominator correlates with zoom level.
Web Map Zoom Levels
| Zoom | Tiles | Coverage | Scale (~) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | World | 1:500M |
| 5 | 1,024 | Continent | 1:15M |
| 10 | 1M+ | City | 1:500K |
| 15 | 1B+ | Neighborhood | 1:15K |
| 18 | 69B+ | Building | 1:2K |
Appendix
Created: 2025-12-13 | Modified: 2025-12-13