{"id":10155,"date":"2016-03-01T19:03:14","date_gmt":"2016-03-02T01:03:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gisgeography.com\/?p=10155"},"modified":"2025-08-03T07:36:47","modified_gmt":"2025-08-03T12:36:47","slug":"free-global-dem-data-sources","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/free-global-dem-data-sources\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Free Global DEM Data Sources – Digital Elevation Models"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"DEM<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Digital Elevation Model Data Sources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Want to elevate your chances of finding digital elevation model (DEM) data<\/strong>? Sure you do!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Picture this: majestic mountains, sweeping valleys, and pixelated peaks. It’s all yours for the taking and all for free<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, we’ll show you how to find XYZ data<\/a> and reach the summit of geospatial data greatness. Let’s dive into our list of 5 free global DEM data sources<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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1. Space Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM)<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"SRTM<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

SRTM DEM data is being housed on the USGS Earth Explorer<\/a>. To download, select your area of interest. Under the data sets tab, select Digital Elevation > SRTM > SRTM 1-ArcSecond Global<\/strong>. But here’s a USGS Earth Explorer download guide<\/a> to help you get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NASA only needed 11 days to capture the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM)<\/a> 30-meter digital elevation model. Back in February 2000, the Space Shuttle Endeavour launched with the SRTM payload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In late 2014, the United States government released the highest resolution SRTM DEM to the public. This 1-arc second global digital elevation model has a pixel size of about 30 meters resolution<\/strong>. Also, it covers most of the world with an absolute vertical height accuracy of less than 16m.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2. ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"ASTER<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

ASTER GDEM boasted a global resolution of 90 meters with a resolution of 30 meters in the United States. Despite its high resolution and greater coverage (80% of the Earth), dissatisfied users expressed issues with its artifacts often in cloudy areas. You have two options to download ASTER GDEM:<\/p>\n\n\n\n