Azure Maps (.NET)

Azure Maps SDK for .NET providing location-based services: geocoding, routing, rendering, geolocation, and weather.

Installation

# Search (geocoding, reverse geocoding)
dotnet add package Azure.Maps.Search --prerelease

# Routing (directions, route matrix)
dotnet add package Azure.Maps.Routing --prerelease

# Rendering (map tiles, static images)
dotnet add package Azure.Maps.Rendering --prerelease

# Geolocation (IP to location)
dotnet add package Azure.Maps.Geolocation --prerelease

# Weather
dotnet add package Azure.Maps.Weather --prerelease

# Resource Management (account management, SAS tokens)
dotnet add package Azure.ResourceManager.Maps --prerelease

# Required for authentication
dotnet add package Azure.Identity

Current Versions:

• Azure.Maps.Search: v2.0.0-beta.5
• Azure.Maps.Routing: v1.0.0-beta.4
• Azure.Maps.Rendering: v2.0.0-beta.1
• Azure.Maps.Geolocation: v1.0.0-beta.3
• Azure.ResourceManager.Maps: v1.1.0-beta.2

Environment Variables

AZURE_MAPS_SUBSCRIPTION_KEY=<your-subscription-key>  # Only required for AzureKeyCredential auth
AZURE_MAPS_CLIENT_ID=<your-client-id>  # Required: Azure Maps client ID
AZURE_TOKEN_CREDENTIALS=prod  # Required only if DefaultAzureCredential is used in production

Authentication

Subscription Key (Shared Key)

using Azure;
using Azure.Maps.Search;

var subscriptionKey = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("AZURE_MAPS_SUBSCRIPTION_KEY");
var credential = new AzureKeyCredential(subscriptionKey);

var client = new MapsSearchClient(credential);

Microsoft Entra Token Credential

using Azure.Identity;
using Azure.Maps.Search;

// Local dev: DefaultAzureCredential. Production: set AZURE_TOKEN_CREDENTIALS=prod or AZURE_TOKEN_CREDENTIALS=<specific_credential>
var credential = new DefaultAzureCredential(
    DefaultAzureCredential.DefaultEnvironmentVariableName
);
// Or use a specific credential directly in production:
// See https://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/api/overview/azure/identity-readme?view=azure-dotnet#credential-classes
// var credential = new ManagedIdentityCredential();
var clientId = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("AZURE_MAPS_CLIENT_ID");

var client = new MapsSearchClient(credential, clientId);

Shared Access Signature (SAS)

using Azure;
using Azure.Core;
using Azure.Identity;
using Azure.ResourceManager;
using Azure.ResourceManager.Maps;
using Azure.ResourceManager.Maps.Models;
using Azure.Maps.Search;

// Authenticate with Azure Resource Manager
ArmClient armClient = new ArmClient(new DefaultAzureCredential());

// Get Maps account resource
ResourceIdentifier mapsAccountResourceId = MapsAccountResource.CreateResourceIdentifier(
    subscriptionId, resourceGroupName, accountName);
MapsAccountResource mapsAccount = armClient.GetMapsAccountResource(mapsAccountResourceId);

// Generate SAS token
MapsAccountSasContent sasContent = new MapsAccountSasContent(
    MapsSigningKey.PrimaryKey, 
    principalId, 
    maxRatePerSecond: 500, 
    start: DateTime.UtcNow.ToString("O"), 
    expiry: DateTime.UtcNow.AddDays(1).ToString("O"));

Response<MapsAccountSasToken> sas = mapsAccount.GetSas(sasContent);

// Create client with SAS token
var sasCredential = new AzureSasCredential(sas.Value.AccountSasToken);
var client = new MapsSearchClient(sasCredential);

Client Hierarchy

Azure.Maps.Search
└── MapsSearchClient
    ├── GetGeocoding()                    → Geocode addresses
    ├── GetGeocodingBatch()               → Batch geocoding
    ├── GetReverseGeocoding()             → Coordinates to address
    ├── GetReverseGeocodingBatch()        → Batch reverse geocoding
    └── GetPolygon()                      → Get boundary polygons

Azure.Maps.Routing
└── MapsRoutingClient
    ├── GetDirections()                   → Route directions
    ├── GetImmediateRouteMatrix()         → Route matrix (sync, ≤100)
    ├── GetRouteMatrix()                  → Route matrix (async, ≤700)
    └── GetRouteRange()                   → Isochrone/reachable range

Azure.Maps.Rendering
└── MapsRenderingClient
    ├── GetMapTile()                      → Map tiles
    ├── GetMapStaticImage()               → Static map images
    └── GetCopyrightCaption()             → Copyright info

Azure.Maps.Geolocation
└── MapsGeolocationClient
    └── GetCountryCode()                  → IP to country/region

Azure.Maps.Weather
└── MapsWeatherClient
    ├── GetCurrentWeatherConditions()     → Current weather
    ├── GetDailyForecast()                → Daily forecast
    ├── GetHourlyForecast()               → Hourly forecast
    └── GetSevereWeatherAlerts()          → Weather alerts

Core Workflows

1. Geocoding (Address to Coordinates)

using Azure;
using Azure.Maps.Search;

var credential = new AzureKeyCredential(subscriptionKey);
var client = new MapsSearchClient(credential);

Response<GeocodingResponse> result = client.GetGeocoding("1 Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052");

foreach (var feature in result.Value.Features)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Coordinates: {string.Join(",", feature.Geometry.Coordinates)}");
    Console.WriteLine($"Address: {feature.Properties.Address.FormattedAddress}");
    Console.WriteLine($"Confidence: {feature.Properties.Confidence}");
}

2. Batch Geocoding

using Azure.Maps.Search.Models.Queries;

List<GeocodingQuery> queries = new List<GeocodingQuery>
{
    new GeocodingQuery() { Query = "400 Broad St, Seattle, WA" },
    new GeocodingQuery() { Query = "1 Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA" },
    new GeocodingQuery() { AddressLine = "Space Needle", Top = 1 },
};

Response<GeocodingBatchResponse> results = client.GetGeocodingBatch(queries);

foreach (var batchItem in results.Value.BatchItems)
{
    foreach (var feature in batchItem.Features)
    {
        Console.WriteLine($"Coordinates: {string.Join(",", feature.Geometry.Coordinates)}");
    }
}

3. Reverse Geocoding (Coordinates to Address)

using Azure.Core.GeoJson;

GeoPosition coordinates = new GeoPosition(-122.138685, 47.6305637);
Response<GeocodingResponse> result = client.GetReverseGeocoding(coordinates);

foreach (var feature in result.Value.Features)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Address: {feature.Properties.Address.FormattedAddress}");
    Console.WriteLine($"Locality: {feature.Properties.Address.Locality}");
}

4. Get Boundary Polygon

using Azure.Maps.Search.Models;

GetPolygonOptions options = new GetPolygonOptions()
{
    Coordinates = new GeoPosition(-122.204141, 47.61256),
    ResultType = BoundaryResultTypeEnum.Locality,
    Resolution = ResolutionEnum.Small,
};

Response<Boundary> result = client.GetPolygon(options);

Console.WriteLine($"Boundary copyright: {result.Value.Properties?.Copyright}");
Console.WriteLine($"Polygon count: {result.Value.Geometry.Count}");

5. Route Directions

using Azure;
using Azure.Core.GeoJson;
using Azure.Maps.Routing;
using Azure.Maps.Routing.Models;

var client = new MapsRoutingClient(new AzureKeyCredential(subscriptionKey));

List<GeoPosition> routePoints = new List<GeoPosition>()
{
    new GeoPosition(-122.34, 47.61),  // Seattle
    new GeoPosition(-122.13, 47.64)   // Redmond
};

RouteDirectionQuery query = new RouteDirectionQuery(routePoints);
Response<RouteDirections> result = client.GetDirections(query);

foreach (var route in result.Value.Routes)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Distance: {route.Summary.LengthInMeters} meters");
    Console.WriteLine($"Duration: {route.Summary.TravelTimeDuration}");
    
    foreach (RouteLeg leg in route.Legs)
    {
        Console.WriteLine($"Leg points: {leg.Points.Count}");
    }
}

6. Route Directions with Options

RouteDirectionOptions options = new RouteDirectionOptions()
{
    RouteType = RouteType.Fastest,
    UseTrafficData = true,
    TravelMode = TravelMode.Bicycle,
    Language = RoutingLanguage.EnglishUsa,
    InstructionsType = RouteInstructionsType.Text,
};

RouteDirectionQuery query = new RouteDirectionQuery(routePoints)
{
    RouteDirectionOptions = options
};

Response<RouteDirections> result = client.GetDirections(query);

7. Route Matrix

RouteMatrixQuery routeMatrixQuery = new RouteMatrixQuery
{
    Origins = new List<GeoPosition>()
    {
        new GeoPosition(-122.34, 47.61),
        new GeoPosition(-122.13, 47.64)
    },
    Destinations = new List<GeoPosition>() 
    { 
        new GeoPosition(-122.20, 47.62),
        new GeoPosition(-122.40, 47.65)
    },
};

// Synchronous (up to 100 route combinations)
Response<RouteMatrixResult> result = client.GetImmediateRouteMatrix(routeMatrixQuery);

foreach (var cell in result.Value.Matrix.SelectMany(row => row))
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Distance: {cell.Response?.RouteSummary?.LengthInMeters}");
    Console.WriteLine($"Duration: {cell.Response?.RouteSummary?.TravelTimeDuration}");
}

// Asynchronous (up to 700 route combinations)
RouteMatrixOptions routeMatrixOptions = new RouteMatrixOptions(routeMatrixQuery)
{
    TravelTimeType = TravelTimeType.All,
};
GetRouteMatrixOperation asyncResult = client.GetRouteMatrix(WaitUntil.Completed, routeMatrixOptions);

8. Route Range (Isochrone)

RouteRangeOptions options = new RouteRangeOptions(-122.34, 47.61)
{
    TimeBudget = new TimeSpan(0, 20, 0)  // 20 minutes
};

Response<RouteRangeResult> result = client.GetRouteRange(options);

// result.Value.ReachableRange contains the polygon
Console.WriteLine($"Boundary points: {result.Value.ReachableRange.Boundary.Count}");

9. Get Map Tiles

using Azure;
using Azure.Maps.Rendering;

var client = new MapsRenderingClient(new AzureKeyCredential(subscriptionKey));

int zoom = 10;
int tileSize = 256;

// Convert coordinates to tile index
MapTileIndex tileIndex = MapsRenderingClient.PositionToTileXY(
    new GeoPosition(13.3854, 52.517), zoom, tileSize);

// Fetch map tile
GetMapTileOptions options = new GetMapTileOptions(
    MapTileSetId.MicrosoftImagery,
    new MapTileIndex(tileIndex.X, tileIndex.Y, zoom)
);

Response<Stream> mapTile = client.GetMapTile(options);

// Save to file
using (FileStream fileStream = File.Create("./MapTile.png"))
{
    mapTile.Value.CopyTo(fileStream);
}

10. IP Geolocation

using System.Net;
using Azure;
using Azure.Maps.Geolocation;

var client = new MapsGeolocationClient(new AzureKeyCredential(subscriptionKey));

IPAddress ipAddress = IPAddress.Parse("2001:4898:80e8:b::189");
Response<CountryRegionResult> result = client.GetCountryCode(ipAddress);

Console.WriteLine($"Country ISO Code: {result.Value.IsoCode}");

11. Current Weather

using Azure;
using Azure.Core.GeoJson;
using Azure.Maps.Weather;

var client = new MapsWeatherClient(new AzureKeyCredential(subscriptionKey));

var position = new GeoPosition(-122.13071, 47.64011);
var options = new GetCurrentWeatherConditionsOptions(position);

Response<CurrentConditionsResult> result = client.GetCurrentWeatherConditions(options);

foreach (var condition in result.Value.Results)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Temperature: {condition.Temperature.Value} {condition.Temperature.Unit}");
    Console.WriteLine($"Weather: {condition.Phrase}");
    Console.WriteLine($"Humidity: {condition.RelativeHumidity}%");
}

Key Types Reference

Search Package

Type	Purpose
MapsSearchClient	Main client for search operations
GeocodingResponse	Geocoding result
GeocodingBatchResponse	Batch geocoding result
GeocodingQuery	Query for batch geocoding
ReverseGeocodingQuery	Query for batch reverse geocoding
GetPolygonOptions	Options for polygon retrieval
Boundary	Boundary polygon result
BoundaryResultTypeEnum	Boundary type (Locality, AdminDistrict, etc.)
ResolutionEnum	Polygon resolution (Small, Medium, Large)

Routing Package

Type	Purpose
MapsRoutingClient	Main client for routing operations
RouteDirectionQuery	Query for route directions
RouteDirectionOptions	Route calculation options
RouteDirections	Route directions result
RouteLeg	Segment of a route
RouteMatrixQuery	Query for route matrix
RouteMatrixResult	Route matrix result
RouteRangeOptions	Options for isochrone
RouteRangeResult	Isochrone result
RouteType	Route type (Fastest, Shortest, Eco, Thrilling)
TravelMode	Travel mode (Car, Truck, Bicycle, Pedestrian)

Rendering Package

Type	Purpose
MapsRenderingClient	Main client for rendering
GetMapTileOptions	Map tile options
MapTileIndex	Tile coordinates (X, Y, Zoom)
MapTileSetId	Tile set identifier

Common Types

Type	Purpose
GeoPosition	Geographic position (longitude, latitude)
GeoBoundingBox	Bounding box for geographic area

Best Practices

1. Use Entra ID for production — Prefer over subscription keys
2. Batch operations — Use batch geocoding for multiple addresses
3. Cache results — Geocoding results don't change frequently
4. Use appropriate tile sizes — 256 or 512 pixels based on display
5. Handle rate limits — Implement exponential backoff
6. Use async route matrix — For large matrix calculations (>100)
7. Consider traffic data — Set UseTrafficData = true for accurate ETAs

Error Handling

try
{
    Response<GeocodingResponse> result = client.GetGeocoding(address);
}
catch (RequestFailedException ex)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Status: {ex.Status}");
    Console.WriteLine($"Error: {ex.Message}");
    
    switch (ex.Status)
    {
        case 400:
            // Invalid request parameters
            break;
        case 401:
            // Authentication failed
            break;
        case 429:
            // Rate limited - implement backoff
            break;
    }
}

Related SDKs

SDK	Purpose	Install
Azure.Maps.Search	Geocoding, search	dotnet add package Azure.Maps.Search --prerelease
Azure.Maps.Routing	Directions, matrix	dotnet add package Azure.Maps.Routing --prerelease
Azure.Maps.Rendering	Map tiles, images	dotnet add package Azure.Maps.Rendering --prerelease
Azure.Maps.Geolocation	IP geolocation	dotnet add package Azure.Maps.Geolocation --prerelease
Azure.Maps.Weather	Weather data	dotnet add package Azure.Maps.Weather --prerelease
Azure.ResourceManager.Maps	Account management	dotnet add package Azure.ResourceManager.Maps --prerelease

Reference Links

Resource	URL
Azure Maps Documentation	https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/azure-maps/
Search API Reference	https://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/api/azure.maps.search
Routing API Reference	https://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/api/azure.maps.routing
GitHub Source	https://github.com/Azure/azure-sdk-for-net/tree/main/sdk/maps
Pricing	https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/details/azure-maps/