---
title: "Get started with MapTiler | Guides"
description: "Getting started guide for new users of MapTiler services."
---

> For AI agents: a documentation index is available at [/llms.txt](https://docs.maptiler.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of all pages are available by appending .md to any URL.

# Get started with MapTiler

First time here? Perfect. Let’s walk you through the mapping basics and show you where to go next, depending on your needs.

## Step 1: Create a MapTiler account

Workflows described in this documentation generally require you to be logged in to a MapTiler account. Creating one is fast, free, and with no obligations. 👉 [Create account](https://cloud.maptiler.com/)

## Step 2: Get an API key

You need an API key to make any of our maps and services work, so create yours now to have it handy. 👉 **[Get your key here](https://cloud.maptiler.com/account/keys/)** and [learn how to protect it](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/maps-apis/maps-platform/how-to-protect-your-map-key/).

## Step 3: Learn the basics (optional)

If you’re completely new to digital maps, we recommend getting familiar with the basic concepts. It’s not necessary, but it does make things easier. 👉 [How maps work](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/how-maps-work/)

## Step 4: Build your map

Now for the exciting part. You’ve got data you want to visualize – like locations, routes, 3D models, live updates, historical maps, drone imagery – and you want to put it on a map. Here’s how:

1.  [**Pick and use a ready-made map.**](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/using-map/)
2.  [**Customize the map design.**](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-design/editor/) (Optional)
3.  [**Add your data.**](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-data/add-your-data/)

These steps are universal enough for anyone, but **developers** might want to do them mostly programmatically. We have tools to make the job easier and plenty of examples for a quick start, including materials for open-source map libraries and popular frontend frameworks. See 👉 [Developer resources](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/getting-started/developer/)

## Other options and services

-   [**Search & location services**](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/location-services/) – add place search to your app, get elevation at any point, or locate your users to customize their experience. With or without a map.
-   **On-prem/offline setup** – maintain complete control and secure access to your maps and data by using your own infrastructure, even completely offline:
    -   Self-host your maps with [MapTiler Server](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/on-prem/server/)
    -   Process your data on-prem with [MapTiler Engine](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/on-prem/engine/)

## More help

Got stuck and self-study resources don’t get you anywhere? [Contact our support](https://docs.maptiler.com/support/requests/) for real human-to-human help.

Happy mapping!