Best map projection for a world wall map
For a wall map, a poster or a slide, choose the Winkel Tripel compromise projection. It distorts area, shape and distance a little, and none of them to an extreme, which is why the National Geographic Society adopted it in 1998 as the standard for its world maps.
Best choice: Winkel Tripel
Compromise, modified azimuthal
Winkel Tripel is a compromise projection: it distorts area, shape and distance a little, and none of them to an extreme. In 1998 the National Geographic Society adopted it as the standard for its world maps.
- Area: compromise
- Shape: compromise
- Distances: compromise
- Angles and directions: compromise
- Continuity: preserved
Also good
- RobinsonCompromise
A gentle-looking compromise, National Geographic's standard from 1988 to 1998.
Open in the map labProjection guide - Equal EarthEqual-area
A similar look, plus true areas.
Open in the map labProjection guide
What to avoid
On a wall it reinforces the illusion that the far north is huge and Africa is small.
See the problem on the map →A different goal or map shape? Change the answers in the finder →
What a compromise means
A compromise projection keeps no property perfectly. It spreads the errors across the whole map so that no region is grossly enlarged or warped. On a wall, where the map should look good and teach the overall picture of the world, that is usually the best strategy.
Winkel Tripel, Robinson or Equal Earth
These three look alike, but they protect different things.
- Winkel Tripel: curved graticule lines and poles drawn as straight lines; National Geographic's standard since 1998.
- Robinson: a gentle look with straight parallels; National Geographic's standard from 1988 to 1998.
- Equal Earth: a similar look, plus true areas. A good choice when the map should also show continent sizes honestly.
What to watch out for
The most common mistake is a Mercator wall map. It looks familiar because it resembles web maps, but it reinforces the illusion that the far north is huge and Africa is small.
Mind the centre of the map too. The same world looks different with Europe, the Pacific or your own country in the middle, as the World centre tool shows.
Frequently asked questions
Since 1998 the National Geographic Society has used the Winkel Tripel projection for its world maps. Before that, from 1988 to 1998, the standard was Robinson.
Not for learning about continent sizes. Its scale grows toward the poles, so Greenland, Canada and Russia look much larger than they are. It works as a navigation chart or a historical curiosity.
No. It is a compromise projection: areas are slightly distorted, most of all near the poles. If the map should show true area proportions, choose Equal Earth.
The best projection for other jobs
- Comparing country sizesEqual Earth
- Thematic and data mapsEqual Earth
- Flight routesGnomonic
- Navigation and compass coursesMercator
- Web maps and appsMercator
- Distances from one placeAzimuthal Equidistant
- The Arctic and AntarcticaAzimuthal Equidistant
- Oceans and currentsSpilhaus Projection
- Teaching geographyEqual Earth