---
title: "Global map settings | Guides | Map design"
description: "Configure global map settings like language, units, and borders."
---

> 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.

# Global map settings

This page explains **Global map settings** in MapTiler Map Designer. You can find this panel as a **third icon** on the left side menu or use the **Alt+S** shortcut.

## Worldview

The worldview section of the Settings allows changing map **language**, **translation**, **units,** and **borders**.

![global-settings.png](./21513603860113_b40fd72b12.webp)

### Language

The language menu contains many **different world languages** or a **local** option. Local is the native language of the country where the map feature is located. All MapTiler styles have the **“Defined by style”** option selected by default. This means there is a combination of languages selected by our cartographers.

![global-language.png](./21513590475921_965f4c4901.webp)

If the data have different languages tagged in the `name` attributes, it will change with this setting. You can check this after clicking on a specific layer and switching to the Data tab.

![settings-data.png](./17594195616017_6ea3a3c004.webp)

### Translation

To enable translation, you need to **select a language** for your map. You can then add labels in any other language **under** your initial language choice.

![global-translation.png](./21513590484753_dde452a36f.webp)

### Units

Units allow switching between **meters and feet** globally. You will see this setting only if there are layers with units in your map. By default, [Outdoor](https://cloud.maptiler.com/maps/outdoor-v4/), [Winter](https://cloud.maptiler.com/maps/winter-v4/), [Topo](https://cloud.maptiler.com/maps/topo-v4/) and [Ocean](https://cloud.maptiler.com/maps/ocean-v4/) map styles include it. This setting is visible in mountain peaks’ elevation or contours. MapTiler styles have the **“Mixed”** option selected by default. This means there are Feet used for the US, whereas the rest of the world uses Meters.

![global-units.png](./21513590495505_b9bdf71cf2.webp)

### Borders

In the Borders settings, users can choose their **preferred disputed borders** view. More details can be found in this [article](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-design/disputed-borders-on-your-maps).

![settings-borders.png](./17594180144785_aecb376069.webp)

## Default view

The default view defines the **initial rendering position** of the map with the zoom level, latitude, longitude, tilt, and rotation. The default position of MapTiler maps is zoom level 1 with all other properties on zero.

![settings-default-view.png](./17594180148753_f0d880694b.webp)

If you want to have a map’s specific position as the default view, use the icon next to it (**Set current view**).

![default-view-current.png](./17594195643153_2f6d2c1c5a.webp)

### Zoom level

Zoom level defines the level of detail that can vary from value **0 to 22**. Zoom level can be changed by scrolling in the map or typing it in the **upper right corner**. You can also use a **set current zoom level** button.

![default-view-zoom.png](./17594180157713_811c0df01c.webp)

### Latitude, longitude

Lat and lon coordinates define the **center of the map**. Both are measured in **degrees**. If you are not sure about the coordinates of a place, get them easily in our [Coordinate Finder](https://www.maptiler.com/tools/coordinates/).

![default-view-lat-lon.png](./17595061687441_db977f0950.webp)

### Tilt and rotation

You can tilt or rotate the map with your **right mouse button** or with the **clock symbol** in the upper right corner of the map.

![default-view-tilt.png](./17595076368785_06c01893b7.webp)

## Font fallback

In global maps, it is important to think about the font’s ability to **draw different scripts**. Your default font will switch to the fallback font in case of **unsupported characters**. We include **Noto Sans** and **Serif** in the drop-down menu as it supports Arabic, Cyrillic, Greek, Chinese, or Japanese scripts as well as Latin.

![settings-fallback.png](./17595076370449_5135e8969f.webp)

## Conclusion

Settings (Alt+S) in MapTiler Map Designer allow users to adjust **languages**, **units,** or **borders** in their maps or **change the initial map position** based on zoom level, latitude, longitude, or tilt and rotation.

## Next steps

Continue to [Disputed borders on your maps](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-design/disputed-borders-on-your-maps/) to learn how to display the borders according to the selected country’s policy.

## Useful links

[Change language in a map](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-design/change-language-in-a-map)  
[Disputed borders on your maps](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-design/disputed-borders-on-your-maps)  
[Contours and mountain peaks in feet](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-design/contours-and-mountain-peaks-in-feet)  
[Languages | MapTiler Planet schema](https://docs.maptiler.com/schema/planet/#languages)