Format comparison
CSV vs FlatGeobuf: Simple Table vs Modern Binary
CSV is the simplest possible data exchange format. FlatGeobuf is a modern binary geospatial format with spatial indexing and HTTP range streaming. They overlap only for point data — for everything else, FlatGeobuf is the clear technical choice.
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Bottom line
Use CSV for point data shared with non-GIS tools. Use FlatGeobuf for any geometry type in a performance-oriented web GIS pipeline.
CSV vs FlatGeobuf: feature comparison
| Feature | CSV | FlatGeobuf |
|---|---|---|
| Geometry support | Points only | All types |
| Spatial index | No | Yes (Hilbert R-tree) |
| HTTP streaming | No | Yes (range requests) |
| Human readable | Yes | No (binary) |
| Opens in Excel | Yes | No |
| CRS metadata | No | Yes |
CSVWhen to use CSV
- Point data for Excel, databases, or Python
- Non-GIS audiences
- Quick and simple data sharing
FlatGeobufWhen to use FlatGeobuf
- Web GIS data delivery via CDN
- Any geometry type beyond points
- Large datasets requiring spatial queries
Convert between CSV and FlatGeobuf
Frequently asked questions
Q.Can I convert CSV to FlatGeobuf online?
Yes. Maparz converts CSV to FlatGeobuf — lat/lon point rows become FlatGeobuf point features.