GeoJSON
A JSON format for geographic features, using objects like Feature, FeatureCollection, and geometry types like Polygon and MultiPolygon.
Category: Formats · Also known as: RFC 7946 GeoJSON
Definition (expanded)
GeoJSON is a JSON-based standard for encoding geometries and optional properties. A common structure is a FeatureCollection containing Features. Each Feature has a geometry (Polygon, MultiPolygon, etc.) and a properties object. Per RFC 7946, GeoJSON uses WGS84 and coordinates are ordered [longitude, latitude] (optionally altitude). Older GeoJSON drafts allowed a 'crs' member, but it is not part of RFC 7946.
Examples
FeatureCollection (GeoJSON)
GeoJSON
{
"type": "FeatureCollection",
"features": [
{
"type": "Feature",
"properties": {
"name": "AOI"
},
"geometry": {
"type": "Polygon",
"coordinates": [
[
[
12,
55
],
[
12.2,
55
],
[
12.2,
55.2
],
[
12,
55.2
],
[
12,
55
]
]
]
}
}
]
}Common mistakes
- Using [lat, lon] order (GeoJSON is [lon, lat]).
- Treating GeoJSON as if it can carry arbitrary CRSs (RFC 7946 assumes WGS84 lon/lat).
Related tools
Related terms
GeoJSON FeatureA GeoJSON object that combines a geometry with a properties dictionary (metadata and attributes).GeoJSON FeatureCollectionA container for an array of GeoJSON Features.PolygonA closed area geometry defined by an exterior ring and optional interior rings (holes).MultiPolygonA geometry containing multiple polygons (parts), each with its own exterior ring and optional holes.CRS (Coordinate Reference System)A definition of how coordinates map to real locations on Earth, including projection, datum, and units.EPSG:4326 (WGS84 lon/lat)A common coordinate reference system using longitude/latitude on WGS84.Longitude/Latitude order (lon, lat)The coordinate order used by GeoJSON and most WKT-in-EPSG:4326 workflows: X is longitude, Y is latitude.