Browser tool for estimating point terrain elevations globally by address, coordinates, or map click.
Copernicus DEM (GLO-30 / GLO-90)
ActiveESA's TanDEM-X-derived global DEM — the most accurate free global surface model available today.
by European Space Agency / Airbus
- Pricing
- Gov-Public
- License
- Copernicus data licence (free, worldwide, commercial use permitted)
- Commercial use
- Permitted
- Ecosystem
- GDAL, Any GIS, Google Earth Engine
- Platform
- Windows, macOS, Linux
About Copernicus DEM (GLO-30 / GLO-90)
Copernicus DEM is derived from the German TanDEM-X mission (2011–2015) and distributed by ESA at 30m (GLO-30) and 90m (GLO-90) global resolution, free for any use under the Copernicus data licence. As a digital surface model it includes building and canopy heights, which matters for hydraulic roughness work but needs correcting for bare-earth hydrology (see FABDEM).
For most global-scale terrain work started today, GLO-30 has overtaken SRTM as the default: newer sensor, tighter vertical accuracy, and genuinely global coverage with no data voids. Access is via the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, OpenTopography, AWS Open Data or directly in Google Earth Engine.
Where it fits in the workflow
TerrainCatchmentRainfallRunoffRoutingHydraulicsMappingReporting
Appears in collections
- Satellite Data for Hydrology & Water Engineering
The satellite and reanalysis datasets H&H engineers actually reach for — DEM to GRACE.
Alternatives to Copernicus DEM (GLO-30 / GLO-90)
Ranked by the topics, categories and workflow stages they share with Copernicus DEM (GLO-30 / GLO-90).
SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission)
Gov-Public
The original free global DEM — 30m/90m elevation from an 11-day shuttle radar mission, still a baseline today.
JAXA's 30m global DSM from PRISM stereo imagery — a strong third opinion alongside SRTM and Copernicus DEM.
ASTER GDEM
Gov-Public
A 30m global DEM reaching to 83° latitude — the go-to where SRTM/NASADEM have no coverage at all.
Arc Hydro
Free
Esri's free hydrology framework for ArcGIS Pro — terrain preprocessing and the data model behind many agency workflows.
FABDEM
Academic-only
Copernicus DEM with forests and buildings stripped out — the bare-earth DEM flood and drainage models actually want.