JOSM (Java OpenStreetMap Editor)

JOSM, the Java OpenStreetMapOpenStreetMapOpenStreetMap (OSM) is a collaborative, open-source mapping project that creates a free, editable map of the world. B... Editor, is a free and open-source desktop application designed for editing OpenStreetMap (OSM) data. Written in Java, it runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing a feature-rich environment for contributors who need more control and efficiency than browser-based editors offer. JOSM has become the tool of choice for experienced OSM mappers, professional surveyors, and humanitarian mappingHumanitarian MappingHumanitarian Mapping uses rapid geospatial data collection and crowd-sourced mapping to support disaster relief, refu... teams who require batch-editing capabilities, advanced validation, and fine-grained control over geospatial features. One of JOSM's greatest strengths is its extensible plugin system. Hundreds of community-developed plugins add functionality ranging from building-tool shortcuts and turn-restriction editors to integration with external quality-assurance services. The editor also supports loading GPSGPSThe Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system operated by the U.S. Space Force that prov... tracks recorded in the field, which mappers can trace to create or refine road and trail geometries. Multiple aerial and satellite imagerySatellite ImagerySatellite imagery consists of photographs and data captured by Earth observation satellites orbiting the planet. Thes... layers, including Bing, Esri World Imagery, and MapboxMapboxMapbox is a robust platform that equips developers with tools to create highly customizable, interactive maps for web..., can be displayed simultaneously to guide digitization, and users can adjust imagery offsets to correct alignment issues common in rural or mountainous areas. Compared to iD, the default browser-based OSM editor, JOSM excels at large-scale and complex editing tasks. While iD is approachable for newcomers making quick fixes, JOSM supports offline editing, conflict resolution for concurrent edits, powerful search-and-replace across changesets, and customizable keyboard shortcuts that dramatically speed up repetitive workflows. Its built-in validator warns about common mapping errors such as unconnected roads, overlapping buildings, and missing tags before data is uploaded, helping maintain the overall quality of the OSM database. JOSM plays a central role in humanitarian mapping efforts coordinated by the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT). During disaster response events, thousands of volunteers use JOSM to rapidly map affected areas by tracing buildings and roads from satellite imagery provided through the HOT Tasking Manager. The editor's ability to handle large datasets and its robust undo-redo system make it particularly well suited for these high-volume, time-sensitive mapping campaigns. Because JOSM is built on Java, it requires a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) to operate. The project is maintained by an active open-source community and receives frequent updates that add new features and improve performance. For organizations contributing to or consuming OSM data, JOSM remains an indispensable tool that bridges the gap between casual map editing and professional-grade geospatial dataGeospatial DataGeospatial data encompasses information about the location, shape, and relationships of physical features on Earth. I... production.