What is USGS EarthExplorer?
EarthExplorer is the USGS portal for finding and downloading satellite images, aerial photos and elevation data, including the full Landsat archive back to 1972.
The search is free; a free account is needed to download.
Free Open data
USGS EarthExplorer
Search and download Landsat and other satellite and aerial archives
- Coverage
- Worldwide
- Updates
- Daily
- Price
- Free
- Sign-up
- Optional
- View
- Flat map
What you can do
- Landsat archive since 1972
- Aerial photography and elevation data
- Search by place, date and cloud cover
The details
- Coverage
- Worldwide
- Updates
- Daily
- Data source
- Landsat and USGS archives
- Made by
- US Geological Survey (government agency)
- Price
- Free
- Account
- Free to view, account for extras
- On phones
- Best on a computer
- Map view
- Flat map
Tips for using USGS EarthExplorer
- Use the "Additional Criteria" tab to filter by cloud cover before browsing results.
Who it is for
USGS EarthExplorer is especially useful for researchers & analysts and students.
Questions about USGS EarthExplorer
Is USGS EarthExplorer free?
Yes. USGS EarthExplorer is free to use.
Do I need an account to use USGS EarthExplorer?
No account is needed to view the map. Signing in unlocks extra features such as saving, alerts or more detail.
How often is USGS EarthExplorer updated?
The data is refreshed every day.
Where does USGS EarthExplorer get its data?
Landsat and USGS archives.
Can I use USGS EarthExplorer on my phone?
It opens on phones, but it works best on a computer with a larger screen.
What are some alternatives to USGS EarthExplorer?
Similar maps include Google Earth, NASA Worldview, Zoom Earth and Copernicus Browser. See the full list of USGS EarthExplorer alternatives on ColorfulMaps.
Summary based on public information about USGS EarthExplorer. Features and prices change; the map's own website has the latest details.
Maps like USGS EarthExplorer
See allSatellite
Google Earth
Fly anywhere on a 3D globe of satellite imagery and 3D cities
earth.google.comOpen
Satellite
NASA Worldview
Daily satellite imagery of the whole Earth, with over a thousand data layers
worldview.earthdata.nasa.govOpen
WeatherLive
Zoom Earth
Near real-time satellite weather imagery and storm tracking
zoom.earthOpen
Satellite
Copernicus Browser
Browse and compare free Sentinel satellite images of anywhere
browser.dataspace.copernicus.euOpen
Satellite
Google Earth Timelapse
Watch decades of change anywhere on Earth from satellite images
earthengine.google.comOpen
Satellite
World Imagery Wayback
Every past version of Esri's world satellite basemap, side by side
livingatlas.arcgis.comOpen
Compare: USGS EarthExplorer vs Google EarthUSGS EarthExplorer vs NASA WorldviewUSGS EarthExplorer vs Zoom EarthUSGS EarthExplorer vs Copernicus BrowserUSGS EarthExplorer vs Google Earth Timelapse