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MVT vs GeoJSON: tile delivery and data exchange
MVT is a Protocol Buffers encoding for map vector tiles. GeoJSON is geographic JSON data and does not itself define tile delivery rules.
Which format should you choose?
Consider MVT for tile-based delivery of the visible area and GeoJSON for readable exchange of features and properties.
Good fit for MVT
Serve geographic features in tiles
- Fetch layers and attributes needed for a map view
Good fit for GeoJSON
Exchange map features and properties
- Points, lines, and polygons in web maps
Basic information
| Field | MVT | GeoJSON |
|---|---|---|
| Extension | .mvt | .geojson, .json |
| MIME type | application/vnd.mapbox-vector-tile | application/geo+json |
| Common uses | Serve geographic features in tiles | Exchange map features and properties |
| How to open | Configure tile URLs, bounds and projection in a compatible map tool, then apply styles matching the layer names. | Open it in a GeoJSON-compatible map tool or text editor; inspect locations and geometry on a map. |
| Export or convert | Reconstruction as GeoJSON requires coordinate transformation using the tile's geographic bounds, projection and extent. In common z/x/y delivery, zoom and tile position determine the bounds. Rounding, simplification or clipping losses cannot be reversed. | When converting, verify coordinate order, coordinate reference system, geometry, and properties in the destination tool. |
Choose by use case
Fetch layers and attributes needed for a map view
Serve geographic features in tiles
MVTPoints, lines, and polygons in web maps
Exchange map features and properties
GeoJSONKey point 1
MVT uses named layers and tile-local integers. GeoJSON uses geographic coordinates and JSON properties.
More on the differencesKey point 2
MVT projection and tile bounds come from external configuration. RFC 7946 GeoJSON uses longitude-latitude order.
More on the differencesMore on the differences
Benchmark the same data, zoom, compression and tools; keep a separate master copy before tile generation.
- When generating MVT from GeoJSON, define projection, tiling, extent, selected attributes, simplification and clipping policies.
- Returning MVT to GeoJSON requires tile bounds, projection and coordinate transformation. Discarded attributes and geometry detail cannot be recovered.
Frequently asked questions
Can MVT fully reconstruct the original GeoJSON?
Usually there is no guarantee. Integer quantization, simplification and attribute selection may change the data; keep the original.