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GenericMappingTools/gmt

Free

The Generic Mapping Tools

FreeFree tier
Type
Open Source
Visit Website GitHub (38 stars)

About GenericMappingTools/gmt

GMT (Generic Mapping Tools) is an open source collection of approximately 100 command-line tools for manipulating geographic and Cartesian data sets and producing high-quality illustrations. It supports filtering, trend fitting, gridding, projecting, and other data processing operations, and can generate everything from simple x-y plots and contour maps to artificially illuminated surfaces, 3D perspective views, and animations. GMT includes over 30 map projections, and its supplements add another 50 specialized tools. It is developed by the GMT Team with support from the National Science Foundation and is used widely in Earth, ocean, and planetary sciences, as well as in fields like medical research, engineering, physics, and more.

Key Features

About 100 command-line tools for geographic and Cartesian data manipulation (filtering, trend fitting, gridding, projecting)
High-quality illustrations including x-y plots, contour maps, illuminated surfaces, 3D perspective views, and animations
Supports over 30 map projections and transformations
Open source and free of charge
Includes optional supplements with more than 50 discipline-specific tools
Uses GSHHG coastline, river, and political boundary data, plus DCW country polygons

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Free and open source with no license fees
  • Extensive toolset covering a wide range of geographic data processing and visualization needs
  • Cross-platform support (Unix/Linux/macOS/Windows)
  • Professional-quality output suitable for publications
  • Active development and community support
Cons
  • Not an AI tool; focused on traditional data manipulation and cartography
  • Requires familiarity with command-line interface; no graphical user interface by default
  • Limited official support (bugs reported via GitHub issues only)
  • Steep learning curve for new users

Best For

Earth, ocean, and planetary science research and mappingMedical research and biological science data visualizationEngineering, physics, and mathematics illustrationSocial science and geography projectsFisheries management, oil company operations, and government agency work

FAQ

What is GMT?
GMT (Generic Mapping Tools) is an open source collection of about 100 command-line tools for manipulating geographic and Cartesian data sets and producing high-quality maps and illustrations.
Is GMT free?
Yes, GMT is free and open source software, available at no charge.
What operating systems does GMT support?
GMT has been installed successfully on Unix, Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, and Windows (including via Cygwin or virtual machines).
How do I install GMT?
Installation instructions are provided on the GMT website. There are separate installers for macOS and Windows, and source code is available for building on other platforms.
How should I cite GMT in my work?
The recommended citation is Wessel, P., Luis, J. F., Uieda, L., Scharroo, R., Wobbe, F., Smith, W. H. F., Tian, D. (2019). The Generic Mapping Tools version 6. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 20, 5556-5564.