GDAL_CREATE(1)                       GDAL                       GDAL_CREATE(1)

NAME
       gdal_create - Create a raster file (without source dataset)

SYNOPSIS

          Usage: gdal_create [--help] [--long-usage] [--help-general]
                             [-ot Byte|Int8|[U]Int{16|32|64}|CInt{16|32}|[C]Float{32|64}]
                             [-of <output_format>] [-outsize <xsize> <ysize>]
                             [-bands <count>] [-burn <value>]... [-a_srs <srs_def>]
                             [-a_ullr <ulx> <uly> <lrx> <lry>] [-a_nodata <value>]
                             [-mo <NAME>=<VALUE>]... [-co <NAME>=<VALUE>]... [--quiet]
                             [-if <input_dataset>]
                             <out_dataset>

DESCRIPTION
       The gdal_create utility can be used to initialize a new raster file,
       from its dimensions, band count and set various parameters, such as
       CRS, geotransform, nodata value, metadata. It can be used also in
       special cases, like creating a PDF file from a XML composition file.

       TIP:
          Equivalent in new "gdal" command line interface:

          See gdal raster create.

       --help Show this help message and exit

       --help-general
              Gives a brief usage message for the generic GDAL commandline
              options and exit.

       -q, --quiet
              Suppress progress messages and other non-error output.

       -ot <type>
              Force the output image bands to have a specific data type
              supported by the driver, which may be one of the following:
              Byte, Int8, UInt16, Int16, UInt32, Int32, UInt64, Int64,
              Float32, Float64, CInt16, CInt32, CFloat32 or CFloat64.

       -of <format>
              Select the output format. If not specified, the format is
              guessed from the extension. Use the short format name.

       -outsize <xsize> <ysize>
              Set the size of the output file in pixels. First value is width.
              Second one is height.

       -bands <count>
              Number of bands. Defaults to 1 if -outsize is specified, or 0
              otherwise.

       -burn <value>
              A fixed value to burn into a band. A list of -burn options can
              be supplied, one per band (the first value will apply to the
              first band, the second one to the second band, etc.). If a
              single value is specified, it will apply to all bands.

       -a_srs <srs_def>
              Override the projection for the output file.  The<srs_def> may
              be any of the usual GDAL/OGR forms, complete WKT, PROJ.4, EPSG:n
              or a file containing the WKT. No reprojection is done.

       -a_ullr <ulx> <uly> <lrx> <lry>
              Assign the georeferenced bounds of the output file.

       -a_nodata <value>
              Assign a specified nodata value to output bands.

       -mo <META-TAG>=<VALUE>
              Passes a metadata key and value to set on the output dataset if
              possible.

       -co <NAME>=<VALUE>
              Many formats have one or more optional creation options that can
              be used to control particulars about the file created. For
              instance, the GeoTIFF driver supports creation options to
              control compression, and whether the file should be tiled.

              The creation options available vary by format driver, and some
              simple formats have no creation options at all. A list of
              options supported for a format can be listed with the --format
              command line option but the documentation for the format is the
              definitive source of information on driver creation options.
              See Raster drivers format specific documentation for legal
              creation options for each format.

       -if <input_dataset>
              Added in version 3.3.


              Name of GDAL input dataset that serves as a template for default
              values of options -outsize, -bands, -ot, -a_srs, -a_ullr and
              -a_nodata.  Note that the pixel values will not be copied.

       <out_dataset>
              The destination file name.

RETURN STATUS CODE
       The program returns status code 0 in case of success, and non-zero in
       case of error (non-blocking errors emitted as warnings are considered
       as a successful execution).

EXAMPLES
   Example 1: Initialize a new GeoTIFF file with a uniform value of 10

          gdal_create -outsize 20 20 -a_srs EPSG:4326 -a_ullr 2 50 3 49 -burn 10 out.tif

   Example 2: Create a PDF file from a XML composition file

          gdal_create -co COMPOSITION_FILE=composition.xml out.pdf

   Example 3: Initialize a blank GeoTIFF file from an input one

          gdal_create -if prototype.tif output.tif

AUTHOR
       Even Rouault <even.rouault@spatialys.com>

COPYRIGHT
       1998-2026

                                August 18, 2026                 GDAL_CREATE(1)