MAP File

What are MAP files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a MAP file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your MAP files.

What is a MAP file?

MAP files have multiple uses, and Quake Game Engine Map is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Quake Game Engine Map File

The .map file extension is used by computer games that have been created with one of the Quake game engines. These files contain uncompiled game maps. These maps are saved in a text-based format, allowing them to be compiled into a .bsp binary map.

Some of the gaming applications that use the .map file extension include the first three editions of Quake, Duke Nukem, and the Half-Life computer games.

How to open MAP files

We have identified three MAP openers that are compatible with this specific type of MAP file.

Programs that open Quake Game Engine Map files

Last updated: August 9, 2026

All known file formats using extension .MAP

While Quake Game Engine Map File is a popular type of MAP-file, we know of 36 different uses of the .MAP file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

3by5 Index File

We know that one MAP format is 3by5 Index File. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested ten different MAP openers which you will find listed below.

7 Days To Die (Game) Player Map File

We know that one MAP format is 7 Days To Die (Game) Player Map File. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

ACT! Contact Map

We know that one MAP format is ACT! Contact Map. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Advanced Strategic Command Map

We know that one MAP format is Advanced Strategic Command Map. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Alien Trilogy Map

We know that one MAP format is Alien Trilogy Map. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Amulets And Armor Map

We know that one MAP format is Amulets And Armor Map. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

ANIMagic Map File

We know that one MAP format is ANIMagic Map File. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Ardour Midi Map/bindings

We know that one MAP format is Ardour Midi Map/bindings. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

BASIC8 Map

We know that one MAP format is BASIC8 Map. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Bochs Keymap File

Bochs Keymap Files are configuration files used by the Bochs PC emulator to define how a host keyboard layout maps to internal emulator key codes. These files enable Bochs to translate the keys you press into the correct in-emulated machine input, ensuring that keyboard input behaves as expected even when running operating systems with different keyboard layouts. They are used when keyboard mapping in Bochs is customized or when a non-US layout is needed. Bochs includes pre-made keymap tables for various host systems and GUI libraries.

The program Bochs creates and reads .map files when you set a keymap via its configuration (for example using the bochsrc file's keymap option). It reads the .map file to build a translation from host GUI key names to internal constant names (each beginning with BX_KEY_), sometimes using modifiers like Shift. The emulator then uses these internal constants during keyboard events. Users can write or modify .map files following the examples shipped with Bochs; each line in a keymap file describes one mapping.

Internally a Bochs Keymap File begins with an ASCII signature line such as "# Bochs Keymap file" at offset 0, and contains entries of the form BX_KEY_... along with strings identifying "AUTHOR" and "TARGET". The mapping entries use host key name strings and ASCII equivalents for each symbol. The file format supports at most one modifier per key entry in current implementations.

MAP opener for Windows

We have identified one MAP opener that is compatible with this specific type of MAP file.

Dark Reign Map

We know that one MAP format is Dark Reign Map. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

DeathTrack Map

We know that one MAP format is DeathTrack Map. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

DIV Games Studio Map File

We know that one MAP format is DIV Games Studio Map File. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Empire Deluxe Map

We know that one MAP format is Empire Deluxe Map. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Furcadia (Game) Map File

A Furcadia Map File stores the layout and static content of a Furcadia Dream, the virtual world players build in the online game Furcadia. It holds information about the map's dimensions, floors, walls, special areas, and objects placed within the Dream's design; users create these files with the built-in Dream Editor, and Furcadia uses them to display the map when people enter that Dream.

In addition to the visual layout (tiles, walls, regions, lighting, ambience, effect objects, floor objects), this file works together with a DragonSpeak (.ds) file of the same name; the map file saves where objects are placed, and the DS file adds interaction or automation. Designers typically edit the .map in Furcadia's Dream Editor, save it locally, and then upload the map to Furcadia so it becomes an active part of the virtual world.

Inside, the file begins with the ASCII characters "MAPV" and includes textual keys such as "Furcadia.height=", "WIDTH", "HEIGHT", "BODY" and "REVISION" to mark sections of the map metadata and body content. These signatures indicate where map size, revision data, and the bulk of object placement information are stored.

Programs that open these MAP files

We have identified one MAP opener that is compatible with this specific type of MAP file.

Garmin Navigon Map File

We know that one MAP format is Garmin Navigon Map File. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Gen Surf Map File

We know that one MAP format is Gen Surf Map File. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Hex Workshop Char Map File

We know that one MAP format is Hex Workshop Char Map File. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Leges Motus Map File

We know that one MAP format is Leges Motus Map File. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

MapInfo MapBasic Map File

The MapInfo MapBasic Map File is part of the native MapInfo TAB/MAP dataset format used by MapInfo Professional (via its MapBasic programming interface) to store the geometry - graphic objects - of a spatial dataset. This format works together with other files (TAB, DAT, ID, IND) to represent a map layer in a GIS. The MAP file contains the binary representation of features such as points, lines, polygons, and other geometries used for drawing the map view.

This MAP file is created by MapInfo Pro (or via MapBasic scripts) when a table with spatial objects is made mappable or geometry is assigned; MapInfo writes the geometry into the MAP file while storing attribute data in the DAT (or other tabular) file. The ID file holds a 4-byte index per record, linking each attribute record with its corresponding geometry in the MAP file. If coordinate geometry is not present, the MAP file is absent. The TAB file links all these parts together and describes coordinate system, file structure, and which components are present.

Technically, MAP files are binary files storing vector object data. Features are stored in a spatial index structure (an R-tree) to speed up rendering and spatial queries. Temporary versions of MAP files may appear during editing and are cleaned up when edits are saved. A documented byte signature common to these files begins at offset 0 with the bytes A2 A6 AB 1A 2A 2F A5 A9 B5 A7 B5 D9 0F 17 23 13 1F 2B 0F 17 23 for this format.

Programs that open these MAP files

We have identified one MAP opener that is compatible with this specific type of MAP file.

Mapsforge Binary Map File

Mapsforge Binary Map File is a compact binary format for storing OpenStreetMap vector maps in a single file with extension .MAP. Designed mainly for use by the Mapsforge library, these files let applications display detailed map data offline with fast loading on devices with limited memory or processing power. You'll find them wherever Mapsforge-based tools render maps - such as mobile apps that let you pan, zoom and view maps without an internet connection.

These files are produced by the Mapsforge Map Writer (often via the Osmosis plugin), which ingests OSM data (for example from .osm XML or .pbf files), applies tag filtering and zoom interval settings, then writes out the .MAP file. When a map application opens a .MAP file, it reads its header for metadata (bounding box, zoom levels, projection, etc.), then later loads individual map tiles needed for the current view, decoding points of interest (POIs), roads, areas, labels, and more as needed for rendering.

In version 5 of the format, the file starts with a 20-byte ASCII signature "mapsforge binary OSM", followed by version number, file size, creation timestamp, geographic bounding box (in microdegrees), tile size (pixels), projection name, optional fields (e.g. start zoom, map start position, language preference), tag lists for POIs and ways, and configuration of zoom intervals for sub-files. Coordinates use big-endian integer formats; various numeric values use variable-byte encoding (VBE), and ways may be encoded using single or double-delta coordinate differences.

Programs that open these MAP files

We have identified one MAP opener that is compatible with this specific type of MAP file.

MapVue Profilometry Data

We know that one MAP format is MapVue Profilometry Data. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Microchip MPLAB XC8 Compiler Map

We know that one MAP format is Microchip MPLAB XC8 Compiler Map. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Neophyte: The Spirit Master Map Data

We know that one MAP format is Neophyte: The Spirit Master Map Data. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Nihilistic Map

We know that one MAP format is Nihilistic Map. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

NoX Map

We know that one MAP format is NoX Map. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Orda: Severnyi Veter Map

We know that one MAP format is Orda: Severnyi Veter Map. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

OziExplorer Map File

OziExplorer Map File (.MAP) stores calibration data and related settings for a raster map image so that the OziExplorer program can display the map properly and convert between image pixels and geographic coordinates. It is not the image itself but contains metadata that links to the image, defines the map's projection, datum, borders, and how the image should line up on the earth. Programs in the OziExplorer family (PC version most notably) create these files when a map image is imported or calibrated so that OziExplorer on PC, Android, or other platforms can use the map with correct geolocation.

The .MAP file is created by OziExplorer whenever you either import a digital map with built-in calibration or manually calibrate a scanned map image. After that the .MAP works alongside the image file: OziExplorer reads it to know how to interpret the pixels (where the map is on earth, which projection, magnetic variation, etc.). On mobile versions, the image can be in various supported formats (ozf2, ozfx3, ozf4, ECW, JP2, etc.), but the .MAP file must accompany it so the map displays correctly.

Inside the file the very first line is a version signature such as OziExplorer Map Data File Version 2.1. The file includes text lines giving the title, image filename, datum settings, projection configuration, calibration points (up to 30), optional map comments, track file links, moving-map parameters, border/corner markers, grid setup, and map image dimensions. These are all stored in human-readable text format beginning with identifying keywords.

Programs that open these MAP files

We have identified one MAP opener that is compatible with this specific type of MAP file.

Papyrus X Chars Mapping

We know that one MAP format is Papyrus X Chars Mapping. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

PCRaster Map File

We know that one MAP format is PCRaster Map File. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

The Saboteur Map

We know that one MAP format is The Saboteur Map. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

TiEmu Key Mapping File

TiEmu Key Mapping File files configure how a computer keyboard maps to keys on a Texas Instruments graphing calculator when using the TiEmu emulator. These text files let users remap PC keys to the calculator's key functions to suit different calculator models (TI-89, TI-92, TI-92+, V200, and TI-89 Titanium). They are useful when default bindings are unsatisfactory or when using non-US keyboard layouts.

Each key mapping file is produced and read by TiEmu. The emulator applies the bindings in the file so that when you press a key on your PC keyboard (input key), it triggers one or more calculator keys (output key(s)). Files commonly begin with a line naming the calculator model (for example "Model: TI89t"). After optional comment lines (starting with "//"), there are mappings of the form "PCKEY_xxx:TIKEY_yyy[,TIKEY_zzz]", where the left side is the PC key identifier and the right side is one or two TI keys. Users can create or edit these files in a text editor to customize how their real keyboard operates within TiEmu.

Technically, files often start with the ASCII string "Model: TI" at offset zero (e.g. "Model: TI89t") and contain keywords such as ALPHABETICAL, FUNCTIONS, NUMERICAL, SPECIFIC, MAPPING, ARROWS, PCKEY_xxx, TIKEY_xxx, and MODEL identifying sections or bindings.

Programs that open these MAP files

We have identified one MAP opener that is compatible with this specific type of MAP file.

Transland Map

We know that one MAP format is Transland Map. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Ulead Color Map

We know that one MAP format is Ulead Color Map. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Wreckin Crew Level Map

We know that one MAP format is Wreckin Crew Level Map. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of MAP files. Remember, different programs may use MAP files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

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