# MapLibre Style Specification

> JSON-based file format that defines the content and appearance of a map, forked from the Mapbox Style Specification

**Wikidata**: [Q133818614](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q133818614)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/maplibre-style-specification

## Summary
The MapLibre Style Specification is a JSON-based file format that defines the content and appearance of digital maps, created as a fork of the Mapbox Style Specification. It provides an open-source standard for styling maps, enabling customization of visual elements like colors, typography, and data layers. It is designed for compatibility with tools that support Mapbox Vector Tiles, offering flexibility for developers and organizations to design maps without relying on proprietary systems.

## Key Facts
- **Based on**: Forked from the Mapbox Style Specification.
- **Developer**: MapLibre (Q110613483), an open-source mapping community.
- **Format**: JSON-based declarative programming language for map styling.
- **Compatibility**: Works with Mapbox Vector Tiles and related tooling.
- **Key Component**: Incorporates TileJSON for tile layer configuration.
- **Paradigm**: Uses declarative programming to separate style logic from application code.
- **Documentation**: Available at [maplibre.org/maplibre-style-spec/](https://maplibre.org/maplibre-style-spec/) in English.
- **License**: Open-source, allowing free use and modification.
- **Overlap**: Shares foundational structure with Mapbox Style Specification but is independently maintained.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the MapLibre Style Specification used for?
A: It is used to design and customize the visual appearance of digital maps, defining elements like color schemes, icons, and data layers through a JSON-based format.

### Q: How does it differ from the Mapbox Style Specification?
A: While originally forked from the Mapbox Style Specification, MapLibre is maintained independently as an open-source project, ensuring community-driven development and freedom from proprietary restrictions.

### Q: Where can I find the official documentation?
A: The specification is publicly available at [https://maplibre.org/maplibre-style-spec/](https://maplibre.org/maplibre-style-spec/), written in English.

## Why It Matters
The MapLibre Style Specification is significant as an open-source alternative to proprietary map styling tools, empowering developers to create customized maps without vendor lock-in. It ensures interoperability with widely adopted technologies like Mapbox Vector Tiles, making it a versatile choice for web and mobile applications. By providing a declarative syntax, it simplifies the styling process, allowing designers and developers to collaborate more effectively. Its community-driven governance model fosters transparency and adaptability, enabling the specification to evolve with emerging mapping technologies and use cases. This specification plays a critical role in democratizing access to sophisticated map design, supporting projects ranging from urban planning to environmental monitoring.

## Notable For
- **Open-Source Governance**: Maintained by the MapLibre community, ensuring transparency and collaborative development.
- **Backward Compatibility**: Designed to work seamlessly with existing tools that support Mapbox Vector Tiles, minimizing migration barriers.
- **Declarative Syntax**: Enables clear separation of presentation logic from application code, improving maintainability.
- **Modular Design**: Includes TileJSON integration for flexible tile layer management.
- **Community-Driven Evolution**: Prioritizes adaptability to meet diverse mapping needs across industries and use cases.

## Body

### Overview
The MapLibre Style Specification is a JSON-based format for defining map styles, forked from the Mapbox Style Specification. It allows developers to programmatically control map visuals, including layers, colors, and typography, using a declarative syntax.

### Origins
- **Forked From**: Created as a derivative of the Mapbox Style Specification to ensure open-source accessibility.
- **Developer**: Maintained by the MapLibre project (Q110613483), an independent open-source initiative.

### Technical Features
- **Declarative Programming**: Uses JSON to describe map styles, abstracting implementation details from rendering logic.
- **TileJSON Integration**: Supports TileJSON for configuring tile sources, enabling efficient vector tile rendering.
- **Compatibility**: Designed to work with Mapbox Vector Tiles, ensuring interoperability with popular mapping libraries like MapLibre GL JS.

### Governance
- **Open-Source Model**: Licensed for free use, modification, and distribution, with contributions guided by community input.
- **Partial Coincidence**: Shares structural similarities with the Mapbox Style Specification but operates under distinct governance.

### Specifications
- **Language**: Documentation and syntax are primarily in English.
- **Structure**: Defines styles as a collection of layers, each specifying data sources, layout rules, and paint properties.
- **Use Cases**: Applied in web, mobile, and desktop applications requiring customized map visualization, such as navigation, GIS analysis, and location-based services.