000000book (2009) is an open database for Graffiti Markup Language (GML) files. The name is six zeroes — #000000, black in hex — like a graffiti writer’s blackbook where they practice tags.

I built and have maintained 000000book for over 15 years. It’s the central repository for GML files created by apps like Graffiti Analysis, FatTag, DustTag, Laser Tag, EyeWriter, and dozens of third-party tools.

The database now contains over 75,000 tags from writers around the world.

How it works

Anyone can upload GML files to the database via the API. The site includes an HTML5 canvas player for replaying tags in the browser, viewing tag metadata, and browsing the archive.

Tags can be uploaded anonymously or linked to user accounts. Many graffiti-related apps auto-upload to 000000book as part of their workflow.

The open graffiti triangle

000000book was designed to complete what we called the “open graffiti triangle”:

All three pieces working together to preserve and share digital graffiti.

See also: Graffiti Markup Language (GML)