What is an HGT file?
An .HGT file is an elevation data file. The name stands for "Height". These files come from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) organized by NASA. They contain a grid of elevation points. Each point represents the height of the land at a specific location on Earth. Researchers, map makers, and 3D artists use .HGT files to create digital terrain models.
How to open HGT files?
You need specialized geographic information system (GIS) software to open .HGT files. Free programs like QGIS can read them directly. Commercial software like ArcGIS Pro also supports the format. Developers and technical users often use the GDAL command-line library to process or convert .HGT files into other formats like GeoTIFF. Some 3D modeling programs and flight simulators can also import these files to build realistic landscapes.
Best practices and troubleshooting
The file name of an .HGT file is very important. The software uses the file name to understand the geographic location of the data. For example, a file named `N45W120.hgt` covers the area starting at 45 degrees North and 120 degrees West. If you change the file name, your GIS software might not load the file correctly. Also, remember that .HGT files only contain raw elevation numbers. They do not contain colors, roads, or satellite images.
Software and tools
If you work with GIS data often, you can install QGIS, GRASS GIS, or use GDAL tools. These programs can analyze the terrain, generate contour lines, and merge multiple .HGT tiles together.
Inspecting files with viewer.online
If you do not want to install complex GIS software, you can use viewer.online/hgt. This tool can analyze .HGT files to identify the exact format and creator software. It allows you to inspect the file structure, extract readable text, and check whether an online preview is available.
Summary
viewer.online/hgt is very useful for identifying, inspecting, and understanding .HGT files without installing software or dealing with compatibility problems. If you are unsure about the contents of your file, viewer.online/hgt can identify the actual format and save you time.