Mariners can still purchase high-quality paper charts. These are "print-on-demand," updated with the latest Notice to Mariners (NTM) corrections at the time of purchase.
Navigational charts in the U.S. have moved away from traditional, bulk-printed paper toward "print-on-demand" and digital PDF formats. NOAA now focuses on , while still offering, as a paper alternative, NOAA Custom Charts (NCCs) , which allow users to create updated paper charts from the latest data.
POD charts and NCCs are automatically updated, unlike older paper charts, which required manual corrections. NAVIGATIONAL CHARTS ONLINE
These are digital PDF files generated from the most recent NOAA ENC data. You can download and print these yourself or have them printed. They are generally updated and, according to, offer superior up-to-date information.
Choose appropriate chart scales (large scale for details like harbor approaches, small scale for large areas/oceanic). Mariners can still purchase high-quality paper charts
For casual users, NOAA offers free 8½ x 11-inch PDF replicas of nautical charts designed to be printed on home printers. Where to Buy/Find: NOAA Custom Chart Application: nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/
NOAA has stopped maintaining and printing traditional lithographic paper charts. As of January 2025, they have cancelled all 1,007 traditional paper charts to focus on electronic products. have moved away from traditional, bulk-printed paper toward
nauticalchartsonline.com or amnautical.com Retailers: West Marine Key Considerations: