How to use the GPX to KML converter
- Hand over the GPS file: drop the .gpx into the box at the top, or use its button to find the file.
- Waypoints, routes and tracks are rewritten as KML right away, without leaving your computer.
- Save the .kml file it produces and open it in Google Earth or another program that reads KML.
There is no upload, no account and no watermark.
What is a GPX file?
A GPX file is a recording or plan made of GPS positions, saved in an open XML format that GPS units, sports watches and outdoor apps share. It can hold three kinds of thing: waypoints (single marked spots), routes (points to navigate through in order) and tracks (the trail of points recorded while moving).
GPX carries the data and says almost nothing about how to draw it. KML, the format of Google Earth, is designed for display.
| Compared | GPX | KML |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | Moving GPS data between devices and apps | Showing places on a map or globe |
| Holds | Waypoints, routes, tracks | Placemarks: points, paths, polygons |
| Appearance | Not part of the core format | Colours, icons and line widths can be set |
| Typical home | GPS units, watches, sports apps | Google Earth, Google My Maps, GIS software |
What is carried over when you convert GPX to KML?
The shape of everything in the file is carried over, along with names, descriptions and elevation.
- Each waypoint becomes a placemark at the same position.
- Each track becomes a path.
- Each route becomes a path too.
What is left behind is the extra data some devices add through GPX extensions: heart rate, cadence and similar sensor readings. KML has no standard place for them, so they are not written to the output. Keep the original .gpx if you may need those figures later.
To see distance, climbing and an elevation chart before converting, open the file in the GPX viewer.
How do I open the KML in Google Earth?
Open the file from inside Google Earth, or drag it onto the Google Earth window.
Google Earth Pro on a computer
Choose File, then Open, and select the .kml file. Google Earth flies to the data and lists it in the Places panel under Temporary Places. To keep it after you close the program, right-click it and save it to My Places.
Tick or untick the items in the Places panel to show and hide individual tracks and waypoints.
Google Earth in a browser or on a phone
The web and mobile versions can import a KML file into a project. Look for the option to import a KML file from your device; its position in the menus has moved between versions.
Other places a KML file works
Google My Maps can import a KML into a layer, which is a simple way to share a track with people who do not have Google Earth. Most GIS programs open KML as well.
If you later need the data back on a GPS device, the KML to GPX converter goes the other way.