Digital boundaries
We maintain digital boundaries for a range of geographies to support the production of statistics. More information on the geographies can be found in the metadata that accompanies the download files and in the Beginner's Guide section of the website.
Product Details
Digital boundaries are produced as Shape files (a format produced by ESRI), with accompanying metadata in HTML format which can be displayed in any internet browser. Boundaries can be supplied in MidMif (a format produced by MapInfo) on request. Please contact us for details.
Boundaries for each geography are created at full resolution and in a generalised format. We offer two coastal extents for the full and generalised sets, 'extent of the realm' and 'clipped to the coastline'.
The four boundary types produced are designed to be used in different contexts (such as analysis or visualisation). It is important that users understand which boundary type they require by reading the boundary guidance document contained in the Downloads section.
Availability and Cost
Boundaries for Output Areas (OAs), Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs), Middle Layer Super Output Areas (MSOAs) and Travel to Work Areas (TTWAs) are available free of charge to all users.
The supply of boundaries for all other geographies requires recipients to be licensed for use of OS BoundaryLine before we are able to supply them. This includes members of the Pan Government Agreement and the Local Government Mapping Services Agreement.
To obtain boundaries, please complete a boundary request form from the Downloads section and email it to ONS Geography .
