Service Overview
Core capabilities and endpoint structure for integrating GeoServer WMS into your applications.
GetCapabilities GET
Returns an XML document describing available layers, supported CRS, formats, and service metadata.
GetMap GET/POST
Generates map images for requested layers within a specified bounding box and coordinate reference system.
GetFeatureInfo GET/POST
Retrieves attribute data for features located at specified pixel or map coordinates.
Standard Parameters
Required and optional request parameters for WMS operations.
| Parameter | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|
| SERVICE String |
Required | Must be set to WMS |
| REQUEST String |
Required | Operation type: GetCapabilities, GetMap, or GetFeatureInfo |
| LAYERS Comma-separated list |
Required | One or more workspace:layer names to render |
| STYLES Comma-separated list |
Optional | Named styles or empty string for default |
| CRS / SRS EPSG code |
Required | Coordinate reference system (e.g., EPSG:4326, EPSG:3857) |
| BBOX Number,Number,Number,Number |
Required | Bounding box: minx,miny,maxx,maxy in requested CRS |
| WIDTH / HEIGHT Integer |
Required | Image dimensions in pixels |
| FORMAT String |
Required | Output format: image/png, image/jpeg, image/png8, application/gml+xml |
| TRANSPARENT Boolean |
Optional | Set to true for PNG transparency support |
| INFO_FORMAT String |
Optional | Feature info format: text/html, application/json, text/xml |
Interactive URL Builder
Configure parameters to generate a ready-to-use WMS GetMap request.
Code Examples
Integration patterns for popular platforms and languages.
Performance & Best Practices
Optimize your WMS requests for faster rendering and lower server load.
📦 Use Caching / Tiles
For repeated map views, switch to WMTS or GeoServer's built-in GeoWebCache. WMS renders dynamically on every request.
🎯 Constrain BBOX
Always request the smallest necessary bounding box. Large global queries increase render time and memory usage significantly.
🎨 Optimize SLD Styles
Avoid complex raster symbols or dynamic filters in production. Pre-compute styles and use vector tiles for heavy datasets.
🌐 Prefer EPSG:3857
Web Mercator is widely optimized in browsers and tile servers. Reprojection on-the-fly adds CPU overhead.