How to Create a Heat Map in QGIS

Updated on:

June 8, 2026

By:

Use this interactive demo to learn how to generate a kernel density heat map in QGIS.

Quick summary

QGIS's built-in Heatmap (Kernel Density Estimation) tool lets you transform a point layer into a visual density map by configuring a radius (bandwidth) and running the algorithm directly from the Processing Toolbox. The resulting heatmap layer is added automatically to your Layers Panel and rendered on the map canvas.

Steps

Open the Processing Toolbox on the right side of QGIS, then search for and select Heatmap (Kernel Density Estimation).
In the dialog box, click the Point layer dropdown and choose your target point layer.
Enter a value for the Radius (bandwidth) to control the spread of the density estimation (e.g., 100m or 500m).
Adjust any other settings as needed, then click Run to execute the tool.
Confirm that the new heatmap layer has been added to the Layers Panel and is displayed on the map layout.

📌 Why this matters

QGIS's Heatmap (Kernel Density Estimation) tool is a core feature for spatial analysts who need to visualize point concentration and geographic patterns without writing code. By converting raw point data into a continuous density surface, GIS professionals can quickly identify hotspots, optimize resource allocation, and communicate spatial insights to non-technical stakeholders. The ability to control the kernel bandwidth means analysts can tune the output for different scales, from neighborhood-level crime mapping to regional epidemiological studies. As a free, open-source solution, QGIS makes professional-grade heat mapping accessible to organizations of any size.

Your product deserves an interactive demo

Start free