> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.mapbox.com/help/llms.txt) # Getting Started Get a high-level overview of the Mapbox Platform and learn how to start building. Welcome to Mapbox! This guide provides a high-level overview of our core products and tools, along with the essential steps and resources to start building powerful, location-based applications. ## What is Mapbox? Mapbox is a modern **location platform** that gives developers the building blocks to add maps, navigation, and search to their applications. Use Mapbox APIs, libraries, SDKs, and powerful tools like Mapbox Studio to create customized, high-performance geospatial experiences for web, mobile, gaming, and embedded systems. Mapbox provides flexible, reliable, and scalable geospatial services and software, designed for developers by developers. With Mapbox, every developer can be a spatial developer. [Create a free account](https://console.mapbox.com/) ## Platform overview Mapbox provides a modular platform made up of APIs, SDKs, and tools that developers can combine to build fully custom location experiences. The Mapbox product offering is divided into four main categories: > **Related content (playground): [Interactive Developer Cheat Sheet](https://labs.mapbox.com/developer-cheatsheet)** > > Try our developer cheat sheet for a visual catalog of our product offering ![Mapbox Developer Cheatsheet Screenshot](https://docs.mapbox.com/help/assets/ideal-img/getting-started--index--cheatsheet.8831620.480.jpg) ### Maps Maps are the foundation of the Mapbox platform. Mapbox provides a wide range of mapping products, including interactive maps, static maps, and custom map styles, all built upon the core global datasets that are continuously updated and maintained as part of the Mapbox platform. ![Mapbox maps image](https://docs.mapbox.com/help/assets/ideal-img/getting-started--index--maps.cd7c003.480.jpg) [Mapbox GL JS](https://docs.mapbox.com/mapbox-gl-js/) and the Maps SDKs for [iOS](https://docs.mapbox.com/ios/maps/) and [Android](https://docs.mapbox.com/android/maps/) are client-side packages for rendering high-performance interactive maps in web and mobile applications. They support advanced features like 3D terrain, vector tiles, and dynamic styling, and allow for full control of interactivity and user experience. The [Maps APIs](https://docs.mapbox.com/api/maps/) provide programmatic access to map data, useful for managing map data and building custom map experiences. #### Map Developer Journey Rendering an **interactive map** with some kind of **custom data** and **user interactions** is the most common workflow for developers getting started with Mapbox. The journey below walks through these steps, with helpful links to documentation and resources along the way. [Follow the Map Developer Journey](https://docs.mapbox.com/help/help/getting-started/map-developer-journey/) Learn more about Mapbox Maps products: > **Related content (guide): [Map Products Overview](https://docs.mapbox.com/help/getting-started/maps/)** > > Read the overview guide for Mapbox Maps products ### Search Mapbox Search products provide geocoding, reverse geocoding, and point-of-interest search capabilities for application developers. ![Mapbox Search image](https://docs.mapbox.com/help/assets/ideal-img/getting-started--index--search.f248973.480.jpg) The frontend search libraries and SDKs include drop-in UI and make it easy to add search functionality to applications. The [Mapbox Search APIs](https://docs.mapbox.com/api/search/) provide programmatic access to search data for building custom search experiences. Learn more about Mapbox Search products: > **Related content (guide): [Search Products Overview](https://docs.mapbox.com/help/getting-started/search/)** > > Read the overview guide for Mapbox Search products ### Location AI Mapbox Location AI brings artificial intelligence and geospatial intelligence together, enabling AI agents and applications to understand, reason about, and interact with the world using maps and location data. Location AI provides tools and APIs for building conversational, context-aware, and intelligent location experiences. Learn more about Mapbox Location AI: > **Related content (guide): [Location AI Overview](https://docs.mapbox.com/help/getting-started/location-ai/)** > > Read the overview guide for Mapbox Location AI ### Navigation The Navigation SDKs for [iOS](https://docs.mapbox.com/ios/navigation/guides/) and [Android](https://docs.mapbox.com/android/navigation/guides/) provide interactive turn-by-turn navigation, route optimization, and real-time traffic data. They include drop-in User Interface components for quick integration, and also allow for full styling and customization of the navigation experience in mobile applications or embedded systems like automotive dashboard displays. ![Mapbox Navigation image](https://docs.mapbox.com/help/assets/ideal-img/getting-started--index--navigation.70c7868.480.jpg) The [Navigation APIs](https://docs.mapbox.com/api/navigation/) provide programmatic access to routing, traffic, and navigation data. This includes the [Directions API](https://docs.mapbox.com/api/navigation/directions/) for turn-by-turn navigation, the [Isochrone API](https://docs.mapbox.com/api/navigation/isochrone/) for travel time analysis, and the [Map Matching API](https://docs.mapbox.com/api/navigation/map-matching/) for snapping GPS traces to roads. Learn more about Mapbox Navigation products: > **Related content (guide): [Navigation Products Overview](https://docs.mapbox.com/help/getting-started/navigation/)** > > Read the overview guide for Mapbox Navigation products ### Data products Mapbox data products provide premium datasets for data analysis and visualization, including datasets for current and typical traffic patterns, aggregated movement patterns, and boundaries (administrative, statistical, political, and postal). ![Mapbox Data Products](https://docs.mapbox.com/help/assets/ideal-img/getting-started--index--data.691293b.480.jpg) See the [documentation landing page](https://docs.mapbox.com/#data) for a list of all Mapbox data products. ## Understand pricing Mapbox offers a developer-centric pricing model that starts with free tiers for most products and transitions to metered services based on usage. Read more about our [per-product pricing](https://www.mapbox.com/pricing/) here. For personalized solutions and to learn about annual payment discounts and other options, start a conversation with our [sales team](https://www.mapbox.com/contact/sales/). ## Manage your account The [Mapbox Developer Console](https://console.mapbox.com) is your central hub for managing your Mapbox account. Here, you can create and manage access tokens, view usage statistics, and configure billing settings. The console is also where you can create and manage your map styles and datasets, and access the Mapbox Studio map design tool. ## Get inspired Find inspiration for a wide range of Mapbox-powered use cases and applications with the following resources: - Read the Mapbox [blog](https://www.mapbox.com/blog) to learn about new features and products. - See the [customer showcase](https://mapbox.com/showcase) to see how companies across various industries use Mapbox. - Join a [live webinar](https://www.mapbox.com/webinars) to learn more about specific products and use cases, or browse past webinars on our [YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIHl9sd2brgvjBlSETKYDcg). - Follow us on [X](https://x.com/mapbox), [Instagram](https://instagram.com/mapbox/), [BlueSky](https://bsky.app/profile/mapbox.com), and [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mapbox) for product updates, tips, and inspiration. - Browse the [interactive Mapbox GL JS examples](https://docs.mapbox.com/mapbox-gl-js/example/) and accompanying code snippets to see what's possible with Mapbox maps on the web. (Most of these examples are portable to mobile platforms as well.) - Examples apps are available for the Maps SDKs for [iOS](https://docs.mapbox.com/help/tutorials/maps-sdk-ios-examples-app/) and [Android](https://docs.mapbox.com/help/tutorials/maps-sdk-android-examples-app/) to show off individual features and capabilities of the SDKs. ## Get help If you have questions about your account, billing or email verification issues, you can create a [support ticket](https://support.mapbox.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=360000279191). If you would like to contact sales to ask about our product offerings, you can contact the sales team through the [following form](https://www.mapbox.com/contact/sales?page=/contact). If you are experiencing technical issues while implementing Mapbox, we offer [paid plans](https://www.mapbox.com/support#support-plans) which allow you to create tickets and contact our technical support team directly. You can also find helpful guides and tutorials in our [help docs](https://docs.mapbox.com/help/). You can post questions on [Stack Overflow](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/ask) or in our [Mapbox Developer Discord](https://discord.com/invite/uMpcC5RmJh) to seek help from the broader community of Mapbox developers.