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OS MAPS HELP CENTRE
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Premium OS Maps users have the option to print paper versions of maps from OS Maps on Web.
To print, first ensure your chosen area is visible on the screen, then select ‘Print' icon (shown in the top right corner of the screen).
The map area that falls within the highlighted box will be printed, to move this area click and drag the map.
A print panel will appear on the left-hand side of the screen, here you can select and change your printing preferences. Zooming in, changing the paper size and/or page orientation will change the area covered by the print.
Once you are happy with your print selection select the pink “Generate PDF” button found at the bottom of the left panel.
This will generate a PDF file that you can review before printing to check it is correct. If you're happy with the PDF preview, then follow your standard printing procedure within the PDF document to print your map.
To print exactly to scale, it is important to double check your printer settings, especially ensuring that 'Actual size' is selected under the relevant page sizing.
You also have the option to save the PDF file, if you want to print it at a later date.
You can change the map style using the ‘Switch map style’ icon (stacked squares) in the bottom right corner of the screen.
When printing a map, the available mapping is limited to Standard map or Premium Topo.
Topographic maps will always be printed to the correct scale, as shown by the area previewed on the map screen. In Great Britain the Print map to scale options are 1:10,000, 1:12,500, 1:25,000, 1:40,000 or 1:50,000. Outside of Great Britain topographic maps vary by country and are always printed to the scale selected, as shown by the area previewed on the map screen.
Under print orientation you can choose between portrait or landscape orientation.
If you're printing a map showing a route, make sure you align the print orientation to general orientation of your route to get the best fit on page.
When printing using the Standard map layer you are able to adjust the scale and it will automatically be adjusted to 'fit to page'.
Topographic maps will always be printed to the correct scale, as shown by the area previewed on the map screen.
If your route will not fit on an A4 page, you can either print in A3 (if your printer allows and you have a premium subscription) or print the route on multiple sheets of paper.
To print on multiple sheets of paper ensure your first chosen map area falls within the highlighted box, when happy select ‘Generate PDF’. Then move on to your second chosen area, ensuring it falls within the highlighted box. Remember to create a small overlap with the previous map, when happy with your selection select 'Generate PDF’ then repeat as necessary.
This process will allow you to print large maps for long routes, but still use a scale that shows the required detail.
The print interface in OS Maps will give you the option to print in either A4 or A3, plus a selection of other sizes. For A3 printing you'll need to make sure that your printer is capable of A3 size printing.
The most common reason is that the browser print button is being used. Please ensure you always print using the print function in OS Maps, not the browser print function.
Please also check that you have not been automatically logged out after not using OS Maps for some time. Try saving your route to trigger the login screen or log out and back in if there are no changes to save.
You can print as normal from a mobile device when using OS Maps web through your browser. It is not possible to print via the OS Maps mobile app but you can download maps to save on your mobile device and use offline.
The print function via mobile device on web follows the same process as on a computer, so if you are able to connect your mobile device to a printer then printing should work as normal.