Ordnance Survey announce rise in sales for both paper and digital OS Maps

Sales of both paper and digital formats of Ordnance Survey (OS) maps have grown in the last 12 months.

During the 2017/18 financial year sales of its paper maps grew by 7%, with 1.73 million maps sold.

The continuing popularity of traditional maps has accompanied a dramatic rise in subscriptions for the multi award winning OS Maps app. Active subscriptions to OS Maps rose by 94% over the same period.

OS Managing Director of Leisure Nick Giles said: “In many industries you are seeing traditional printed products in decline while digital is on the rise. But in terms of OS map sales we are delighted to see both formats working hand in hand.

“We’ve been doing a lot of work through our GetOutside campaign and with Mountain Rescue to encourage people to stay safe when they head outside.

“People are now realising the importance of mapping and the need to carry both types from a safety point of view.

“The world has gone mobile and it is handy to have downloaded OS maps on your smartphone. It is convenient, fits in your pocket and is the most up-to-date mapping available.

“But you can never 100% rely on technology. Phones run out of battery, or even end up being dropped in puddles.

“By having a paper map with you as well as OS Maps on your phone, wherever you are in Great Britain you can be sure you won’t be lost.”

When an OS paper map is sold, the purchaser receives a code to download the digital version of that map.

The OS Maps app offers people the option to plan and record routes, and view and follow routes shared by other users.

When outside, the app makes it easier to keep track of your chosen route by phone.

Nick added: “You actually get a different experience with paper. You can lay it out on the dining room table and get a wider overview of an area beforehand.

“You can come together to look at it as a family or group to plan.

“Then when you are out there in the great outdoors, using a paper map brings with it the fun challenge of navigating the environment.”

The OS paper map of Snowdon proved to be the number one seller in Great Britain in 2017/18.

The map of the North Wales beauty spot in Snowdonia led the top 10 this year in paper map sales, followed by maps of the Lake District and the Peak District.

The 10 biggest selling OS Maps for 2017/18 were:

1.      Snowdon (Explorer OL17)

2.      English Lakes – South East (Explorer OL07)

3.      Peak District – White Peak (Explorer OL24)

4.      English Lakes – South West (Explorer OL06)

5.      English Lakes – North West (Explorer OL04)

6.      Peak District – Dark Peak (Explorer OL01)

7.      English Lakes – North East (Explorer OL05)

8.      Yorkshire Dales – South & West (Explorer OL02)

9.      Purbeck & South Dorset (Explorer OL15)

10.  Dartmoor – (Explorer OL28)

 OS is Britain’s mapping agency. We make the most up-to-date and accurate maps of the country. Our data

 and services help governments, companies and individuals be more effective both here and around the world.

For more information from OS, please contact the OS Media Team on

023 8005 5565 or pressoffice@os.uk