Densify (vertex densification)
Adds extra vertices along edges so curves/long segments are represented with more points.
Category: Operations · Also known as: vertex densification, densification, ST_Segmentize
Definition (expanded)
Densifying inserts new intermediate coordinates along line or polygon edges. It can improve accuracy for operations that assume straight segments between vertices (especially over long distances or near the dateline), but it increases vertex count and file size.
Common mistakes
- Densifying heavily and making geometries too large/slow for browsers.
- Densifying without a clear reason (it’s not always needed).
Related terms
VertexA single coordinate point in a ring or line; polygons are made of many vertices.SimplifyReduces vertex count while approximating the shape to improve performance and reduce file size.ToleranceA threshold distance used by simplify, snapping, and some repair operations.GeodesicMeasurements or operations computed on the curved Earth model rather than a flat plane.Antimeridian (date line)The longitude line at about 180 degrees where geometries can wrap around the globe.Reprojection (coordinate transformation)Converting coordinates from one CRS to another (e.g., EPSG:4326 lon/lat → EPSG:3857 meters).