SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) is a global research endeavor that yielded nearly-global digital elevation models (DEM). QGIS has a plugin called the SRTM Downloader that allows for SRTM data to easily be downloaded straight from QGIS. SRTM data downloaded by the plugin is in the form of .hgt files. Note also that these rasters are downloaded as 1 degree by 1 degree and the plugin will download all tiles that intersect the extent that you set.

In order to download SRTM data using the plugin, you should have a working NASA Earth Data account available, if not you may create one at .

Download the SRTM Downloader

1. Open the Manage and Install Plugins dialog from Plugins -> Manage and Install Plugins from the Menu bar.
2. Search for SRTM-Downloader.
3. Click Install Plugin.

Once successfully installed, the plugin should be available from Plugins -> SRTM-Downloader -> SRTM Downloader from the Menu bar.

Loading SRTM Digital Elevation Models

1. Open the SRTM Downloader via Plugins -> SRTM-Downloader -> SRTM Downloader.
2. Set the extent to download data.
3. You can set the extent to be equal to the canvas extent by clicking Set canvas extent.
4. Output-Path will be where the rasters will be stored. They can be downloaded as temporary files.
5. Load images to QGIS will load the rasters in QGIS.
6. Click Download.
7. The plugin will list the number of rasters to download. In this example, 4 images wil be downloaded.
8. The plugin will ask for your NASA Earth Data account and password.
9. The plugin will then download the rasters and prompt you of its success.

The rasters should now be loaded in QGIS for styling, analysis, processing, and manipulation. :)

And that’s how you can load SRTM Digital Elevation Models (DEM) in QGIS. :)

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