Key:type

The key type is commonly used to set a relation's type. See some established relation types. Many other tags use it to define details further, see "examples".

Other uses

The type key is occasionally also used as an add-on tag for "variants" of a feature category. This approach conflicts with the use of the key for a relation's type and should be avoided (it may also create conflicts on multiple tags for the same element).

For preference when devising new tagging approaches consider using one of these two other formats:

• <key>=<some_value> + <some_value>:type=*
  • Here are some uses of this schema with suggested values in parentheses:
  • amenity=post_box, type with post_box:type=* (pillar, lamp, wall, ...)
  • amenity=parcel_locker, type with parcel_locker:type=* (circular, cabinet, parcel_box, ...)
  • man_made=tower, type with tower:type=* (communication, lighting, bell_tower, observation, ...)
  • emergency=fire_hydrant, type with fire_hydrant:type=* (underground, pillar, dry_barrel, pipe, wall, ...)

• <key>=<some_value> + <some_value>=*
  • Here are some uses of type within the current schema with suggested values in parentheses:
  • amenity=studio, type now being replaced with studio=* (audio, video)
  • aeroway=aerodrome, proposal to replace type by aerodrome=* (public, military, private, ...)
  • aeroway=navigationaid, type now being replaced with navigationaid=* (adf, vor, vor-dme, waas, ils, ...)
  • man_made=pipeline, type now being replaced with substance=* (water, drain, sewer, telecom, gas, ...)
  • man_made=pumping_rig, proposal to replace type by substance=* or content=* (oil, gas, oil;gas, ...)
  • man_made=reservoir_covered, please discuss possible replacements here
  • natural=tree, type now being replaced with leaf_type=* (broadleaved, needleleaved, mixed, leafless, ...) and other tags for taxonomy (note that at least a genus=* tag is needed to distinguish palms from other broad-leaved trees, so don't remove a type=broad_leaved/palm tag without adding a genus=* or species=* tag!)
  • natural=volcano, type now being precised with volcano:type=* (stratovolcano, shield, scoria, ...) and volcano:status=* (active, dormant, extinct, ...)

Examples

Also see taginfo