Download limits: why an export is over the size limit

There are two kinds of download limits on Koordinates sites: site-specific download limits; and format-specific download limits.

Site download limits

Each site sets its own limit on the size of a single export, regardless of file format. The limit is 3.5GB unless the site has changed it; a site can set it as high as 15GB.

The limits are calculated on the estimated compressed (zipped) size of the export. The export window shows the estimated size on the Create Export button, and tells you if your export is over the limit.

Format-specific download limits

Some data formats on Koordinates have their own specific download limits. These are determined by the limitations of the format itself, or its associated software applications (which may crash with larger files).

DWG: 50MB

KML: 40MB for vector data and 1GB for raster data. Raster layers are also limited to 100 million pixels each, so crop large areas. Tables and grids can’t be exported to KML.

PDF: 50MB

Shapefile and MapInfo TAB

Shapefile and MapInfo TAB files can’t be larger than 2GB. Rather than stopping your export, Koordinates splits larger exports into several files, each under 2GB. Learn more about Shapefile exports.

What happens if I exceed the download limit?

If you hit a site-specific download limit, you can either reduce the extent of your download (see Crop data layers by box) or, on sites that offer it, order a courier delivery for your chosen data.

Format-specific limits still apply to courier exports, and a courier export must be larger than 50GB. See Request data via courier for more information.

For a list of the messages the export window shows and how to fix them, see Why did my export fail or look wrong?.