Member Login

Web Map Service

This standard provides a simple HTTP interface for requesting geo-registered map images from one or more distributed geospatial databases. A WMS request defines the geographic layer(s) and area of interest to be processed. The response to the request is one or more geo-registered map images (returned as JPEG, PNG, etc) that can be displayed in a browser application.

Documents

(Hover over Type for full description)
Document title Version OGC Doc No. Type
OpenGIS Web Map Service (WMS) Implementation Specification 1.3.0 06-042 IS

Official model files and encoding schemas

Official Schemas

Related links

Go To OGC Press Page →
OGC Open Call Requests
Overview

The OpenGIS® Web Map Service Interface Standard (WMS) provides a simple HTTP interface for requesting geo-registered map images from one or more distributed geospatial databases. A WMS request defines the geographic layer(s) and area of interest to be processed. The response to the request is one or more geo-registered map images (returned as JPEG, PNG, etc) that can be displayed in a browser application. The interface also supports the ability to specify whether the returned images should be transparent so that layers from multiple servers can be combined or not.

NOTE: WMS 1.3 and ISO 19128 are the same documents.

Open Calls and Requests

Members of the public can review draft standards and share feedback to ensure they are practical and widely applicable.

OGC Seeks Public Comment on Proposed GeoHEIF Standards Working Group

Due by:

March 13, 2026 12:00 AM

Learn More

Insights

You’ll find the latest thought leadership from OGC here.  

OGC Individual Membership Is Now Live

We’re pleased to share that OGC Individual Membership is officially live. This new...

Learn More

At the Philadelphia Member Meeting, We Opened the Door Wider

Today, at the Philadelphia Member Meeting, we officially launched OGC Individual Membership. I’ve...

Learn More

From chat to map: How DGGS + Agentic AI turn geodata...

Results from the OGC AI-DGGS for disaster management pilot– and what we now...
Learn More
Join OGC