Openstreetmap: embedding map in webpage (like Google Maps)

Is there a way to embed/mashup the OpenStreetMap in your page (like the way Google Maps API works)?

I need to show a map inside my page with some markers and allow dragging/zooming around, maybe routing. I suspect there would be some Javascript API for this, but I can't seem to find it.

Searching gets me an API for access to raw map data, but that seems to be more for map editing; besides, working with that would be a heavy task for AJAX.

You need to use some JavaScript stuff to show your map. OpenLayers is the number one choice for this.

There is an example at http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OpenLayers_Simple_Example and something more advanced at

http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OpenLayers_Marker

and

http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Openlayers_POI_layer_example

There's now also Leaflet, which is built with mobile devices in mind.

There is a Quick Start Guide for leaflet. Besides basic features such as markers, with plugins it also supports routing using an external service.

For a simple map, it is IMHO easier and faster to set up than OpenLayers, yet fully configurable and tweakable for more complex uses.

Simple OSM Slippy Map Demo/Example

Click on "Run code snippet" to see an embedded OpenStreetMap slippy map with a marker on it. This was created with Leaflet.

Code

// Where you want to render the map.
var element = document.getElementById('osm-map');

// Height has to be set. You can do this in CSS too.
element.style = 'height:300px;';

// Create Leaflet map on map element.
var map = L.map(element);

// Add OSM tile layer to the Leaflet map.
L.tileLayer('http://{s}.tile.osm.org/{z}/{x}/{y}.png', {
    attribution: '&copy; <a href="http://osm.org/copyright">OpenStreetMap</a> contributors'
}).addTo(map);

// Target's GPS coordinates.
var target = L.latLng('47.50737', '19.04611');

// Set map's center to target with zoom 14.
map.setView(target, 14);

// Place a marker on the same location.
L.marker(target).addTo(map);

<script src="https://unpkg.com/[email protected]/dist/leaflet.js"></script>
<link href="https://unpkg.com/[email protected]/dist/leaflet.css" rel="stylesheet"/>
<div id="osm-map"></div>

Specs

• Uses OpenStreetMaps.
• Centers the map to the target GPS.
• Places a marker on the target GPS.
• Only uses Leaflet as a dependency.

Note:

I used the CDN version of Leaflet here, but you can download the files so you can serve and include them from your own host.