OpenStreetMap Query Builder: Overpass Without Code

Run a search

1What do you want to find?

Pick a thing

More filters (name, operator, brand)

Name contains

Operator contains

Brand or manufacturer contains

Not case-sensitive. Leave blank to skip.

2Where?

State

3What do you want back?

Overpass server

If a server is busy, the tool tries the next one. Big areas are faster with “Just the count”.

Open in overpass turbo

Advanced: see or edit the query

This is the Overpass QL the buttons above build. Edit it and run your own; results show as a list, a count or plain text depending on what the query outputs.

Privacy: your query and search area go to the Overpass server you pick; place searches go to Nominatim; map tiles come from tile.openstreetmap.org. Nothing goes to Max Intel. Data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

How do I use it?

Pick a thing. Choose a ready-made search, such as plate-reader cameras or police stations, or build your own tag filter.
Pick an area. Choose a US state, look up a city, county or country, use the map view, or click a point and a radius.
Pick an output. “Just the count” is fast for big areas. “List, map and export” returns the places, with CSV and GeoJSON downloads.
Check the query. Open “Advanced” to see the Overpass QL. Edit it and run your own, or open it in overpass turbo.

Searches run in your browser. Your query goes straight to the Overpass server you choose.

What can I find with it?

Anything mapped in OpenStreetMap with a tag. The ready-made searches cover common OSINT questions:

Surveillance: license plate readers (surveillance:type=ALPR), Flock Safety units, all surveillance cameras and speed cameras. The ALPR tag marks “a camera designed to record license plate identifiers of passing vehicular traffic” OSM Wiki: surveillance:type=ALPR (edited 6 Oct 2026, read 21 Oct 2026).
Public safety and government: police and fire stations, courthouses, prisons, embassies, military areas, hospitals and defibrillators.
Infrastructure: communication towers and masts, data centres, substations, power plants, EV chargers and fuel stations.
Transport and places: airports, helipads, car parks, ATMs, banks, post offices, schools, places of worship, pharmacies, hotels and Wi-Fi spots.

For counts of plate readers by town or state, with Flock’s share and the change since our last snapshot, use the ALPR Camera Counter.

What is Overpass, and how is this different from overpass turbo?

Overpass is a read-only search engine for OpenStreetMap data. The main public server is run by FOSSGIS at overpass-api.de, and the software is free under the Affero GPL v3 OSM Wiki: Overpass API (read 21 Oct 2026).

Overpass turbo is a web editor for it. You type Overpass QL, run it and see the result on a map. It is MIT-licensed OSM Wiki: Overpass turbo (read 21 Oct 2026). It is powerful, but you need to know the query language.

This builder is the no-code front door. It asks what, where and what you want back, writes the QL, and shows it so you can learn from it. When you outgrow it, the “Open in overpass turbo” button carries your query over.

Are there limits?

Yes. The public servers are shared, so be considerate.

Volume. The main server says “you don’t disturb other users when you do less than 10,000 queries per day”. It also warns that it is overloaded and asks users not to expect high reliability OSM Wiki: Overpass API (read 21 Oct 2026). The user manual adds a download guide of about 1 GB a day Overpass API user manual (read 21 Oct 2026).
Busy servers. On an HTTP 429 or 406 error, the wiki says to wait 30 seconds before trying again OSM Wiki: Overpass API (read 21 Oct 2026). This tool moves to the next server instead of retrying the same one.
Time. Queries without a declared limit stop after 180 seconds Overpass API user manual (read 21 Oct 2026). Count queries here ask for 120 seconds and list queries for 180.
Place search. Nominatim allows at most one request per second and bans autocomplete Nominatim usage policy (read 21 Oct 2026). The tool sends one lookup per click.
Map tiles. Tiles come from OpenStreetMap’s own servers, which ask for clear attribution and no heavy use OSM tile usage policy (read 21 Oct 2026). The map loads only when you need it.

How accurate is OpenStreetMap data?

It is as good as the local mappers. Volunteers add and fix everything, so busy cities are often detailed and rural areas thin. A zero means nothing is mapped with that tag. It does not mean nothing is there.

Tags also vary. A camera might carry surveillance:type=ALPR with or without manufacturer=Flock Safety. The OSM wiki lists brand=Flock Safety and operator=Flock Safety as common mistakes OSM Wiki: surveillance:type=ALPR (edited 6 Oct 2026, read 21 Oct 2026). Try the “Brand or manufacturer contains” filter if a search looks short.

Credit OpenStreetMap when you reuse results. The data is under the Open Database License OpenStreetMap copyright and licence (read 21 Oct 2026).

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Overpass API?

It is a read-only database of OpenStreetMap data that answers questions like "every police station in this county". Queries are written in a language called Overpass QL. This tool writes the query for you and shows it, so you can learn or edit it.

Is this the same as overpass turbo?

No. Overpass turbo is a web editor where you write Overpass QL yourself. This builder asks three questions instead: what, where and what you want back. It uses the same public Overpass servers, and an Open in overpass turbo button hands your query over.

Is it free, and are there limits?

It is free. The public Overpass servers are run by volunteers and companies, and the main one asks users to stay under about 10,000 queries a day. If a server is busy, the tool tries the next one. For very large areas, ask for the count only.

Does Max Intel see my searches?

No. Your browser sends the query straight to the Overpass server you choose, place names go to OpenStreetMap Nominatim, and map tiles come from OpenStreetMap. Nothing is sent to Max Intel.

Why is something I know exists missing?

OpenStreetMap is mapped by volunteers. If nobody has added a camera, tower or building, or it is tagged differently, the search cannot find it. A result of zero means nothing is mapped with that tag, not that nothing exists.

Can I use the results in a report?

Yes, with credit. OpenStreetMap data is under the Open Database License, which asks you to credit OpenStreetMap and its contributors. Note the date you ran the search, because the map changes daily.

Next step

Counting plate readers? The ALPR Camera Counter gives totals, Flock’s share and the change over time for any town or state.