---
title: "WMTS | Guides | Maps apis | Maps platform"
description: "What WMTS is and when to use it."
---

> For AI agents: a documentation index is available at [/llms.txt](https://docs-beta-4y5.pages.dev/llms.txt). Markdown versions of all pages are available by appending .md to any URL.

# WMTS

Web Map Tile Service (WMTS) is an Open Geospatial Consortium standard for serving pre-rendered raster map tiles. A capabilities XML file describes the service: the available layers, tile grids, coordinate systems, and zoom levels.

Its successor is [OGC API – Tiles](https://docs-beta-4y5.pages.dev/guides/how-maps-work/formats/ogc-api/), but WMTS is much more widely supported, especially in desktop GIS software.

Note

WMTS is available on paid plans.

## When to use WMTS

-   **Desktop GIS:** load your map in QGIS, ArcGIS Pro, or other software that supports OGC services.
-   **Web apps:** some libraries can load WMTS too. See the [OpenLayers WMTS example](https://docs-beta-4y5.pages.dev/openlayers/examples/wmts/). For a new web app, [MapTiler SDK JS](https://docs-beta-4y5.pages.dev/sdk-js/) is usually a better fit.

To get the URL for your map, open the sharing dialog and select the **WMTS** tab under **Use map in other ways**. For the full list of WMTS endpoints, see the API reference for [maps](https://docs-beta-4y5.pages.dev/cloud/api/maps/#tag/maps/GET/maps/{mapId}/WMTSCapabilities.xml) and [tilesets](https://docs-beta-4y5.pages.dev/cloud/api/tiles/#tag/tiles/GET/tiles/{tilesId}/WMTSCapabilities.xml).

## QGIS

1.  In the **Browser** panel, right-click **WMS/WMTS** and select **New Connection**.
2.  Enter a name, paste the WMTS URL into **URL**, and click **OK**.
3.  Expand the new connection and double-click the layer to add it to your map.

## ArcGIS Pro

1.  On the **Insert** tab, select **Connections** > **Server** > **New WMTS Server**.
2.  Paste the WMTS URL into **Server URL** and click **OK**.
3.  In the **Catalog** pane, find the connection under **Servers**, right-click the layer, and select **Add To Current Map**.