The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) is seeking public comment on the proposed OGC API – Coverages: Part 1 – Core standard, which defines a Web API for requesting coverage data over the Web.

A coverage is a function that returns values from its range for any direct position within its domain. The coverage data response from this Web API consists of a collection of values, usually representing observations or measurements for one or more fields within a multidimensional domain, often including spatiotemporal dimensions.

Implementations of the OGC API – Coverages standard are designed to enable clients to easily:

  • Request data values from a specific coverage;
  • Select a subset of the domain (space, time, or other dimensions) for which to retrieve values;
  • Select specific fields for which to retrieve values;
  • Select a particular resolution at which to retrieve the data, such as downsampling from the native resolution; and
  • Select a particular output coordinate reference system.

The proposed OGC API – Coverages standard provides access to content that complies with OGC Abstract Specification Topic 6: Schema for Coverage Geometry and Functions. This includes, but is not limited to, support for gridded (regular and irregular) and multi-point coverages, such as point clouds.

Coverage content can be encoded or formatted using any suitable logical model and physical encodings, such as those defined by Coverage Implementation Schema (CIS) 1.1, netCDF, CoverageJSON, GeoTIFF (including Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF (COG)), or LAS/LAZ (including Cloud Optimized Point Cloud (COPC)).

A server that implements the proposed OGC API – Coverages standard provides information about the coverages it offers. OGC API – Coverages use cases are similar to those addressed by the OGC 17-089r1 OGC® Web Coverage Service (WCS) Interface Standard.

The OGC is using an incremental approach to OGC API standards development. The initial goal is to develop a relatively simple API standard that meets the needs of a large percentage of the implementation community. Additional capabilities will be added based on community demand.

To Comment

The proposed OGC API – Coverages: Part 1 – Core standard is available for review and comment for a period of 30 days. Comments are due by 15 October, 2026.

Comments can be submitted in the OGC GitHub repository for a period ending on the “Close request date” listed above. Comments received will be consolidated and reviewed by OGC members for potential incorporation into the document.

About OGC

The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) is a membership organization dedicated to using the power of geography and technology to solve problems faced by people and the planet. OGC unlocks value and opportunity for its members through Standards, Innovation, and Collaboration. Our membership represents a diverse and active global community drawn from government, industry, academia, international development agencies, research & scientific organizations, civil society, and advocates.