Vector tile layers

A vector tile layer contains vector representations of data across a range of scales that is provided by a vector tile service or vector tile package. In contrast to image tiles, vector tiles can adapt to the resolution of the device they are displayed on and can be restyled for multiple uses.

The spatial reference of the vector tile layers should match the spatial reference of the basemap.

Vector tile services

A vector tile service is a type of data service that stores and provides access to vector tiles and vector tile-style resources.

You can use the following kinds of URLs for the source to add services to your ArcGIS Map:

• Item page URL (recommended). This URL points to the specific item page of a service. It provides details about the item, such as metadata, sharing settings, and access options. You can find it by navigating to the item page on ArcGIS Online or in your portal and copying the URL from the browser address bar.
  • Example: https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=9f86716d941c4410b0b406d911754b2c for items accessible via the ArcGIS Online public URL or https://yourorg.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=9f86716d941c4410b0b406d911754b2c for items within your organization.
• Services URL. This URL directly points to the REST endpoint of a web service. You can find the service URL by accessing the service item in your portal and copying the URL from the item's details page (usually at the lower right).
  • Example: https://tiles.arcgis.com/tiles/P3ePLMYs2RVChkJx/arcgis/rest/services/Esri_Hydro_Reference_Overlay/MapServer, which is https://yourserver.domain.com/arcgis/rest/services/YourFolder/YourMapService/MapServer

• Vector tile style URL. This URL directly points to the REST endpoint of a web service. You can find the service URL by accessing the service item in your portal and copying the URL from the item details page (usually at the lower right).

You can learn more about vector tile services in the Portal and data services guide.

Local vector tile packages

A vector tile layer can also reference a vector tile package (.vtpk) to support scenarios with limited bandwidth or that are completely offline. Vector tile packages contain a collection of vector tiles and associated style resources.