Converting GPX to KMZ turns GPS waypoints, routes, and tracks into a compressed, single-file Google Earth package.
What is GPX?
GPX (GPS Exchange Format) is an open, XML-based schema for exchanging GPS data such as waypoints, routes, and tracks between devices and applications.
GPX models data through three primary elements: waypoints (individual named points of interest), routes (an ordered list of routepoints describing a planned path), and tracks (recorded paths made of one or more segments of trackpoints, often carrying timestamps and elevation). It is the common tongue of handheld GPS units, fitness watches, and outdoor apps like Garmin, Strava, and Komoot. It is a point- and line-oriented format built around navigation, not a general-purpose polygon or attribute-table format.
What is KMZ?
KMZ is a ZIP archive that packages a KML document (conventionally named doc.kml) together with any assets it references, such as icons, images, and overlays.
Structurally a KMZ is just a compressed container: unzip it and you get a main doc.kml plus an optional folder of supporting files. Zipping typically shrinks verbose KML text substantially and keeps a placemark set and its custom icons together as one shareable file, which is why Google Earth exports KMZ by default. Everything true of KML applies to the KML inside a KMZ; the wrapper only adds compression and asset bundling.
Why convert GPX to KMZ?
KMZ is the most shareable Google Earth format because it compresses the KML into one small file that is easy to email or upload. It lets you hand recorded tracks or field points to others who simply open them in Google Earth. Compression keeps large track logs portable and self-contained.
Coordinate systems
The GPX specification fixes all coordinates to WGS84 latitude/longitude with elevation in meters, so like KML it carries no projection information and any exported data is expressed in EPSG:4326.
Because the payload is ordinary KML, a KMZ is inherently WGS84 (EPSG:4326) longitude/latitude/altitude, with no projection metadata and no possibility of reprojection inside the format.
What to watch out for
- The KML payload is WGS84, matching GPX, so no reprojection occurs.
- A KMZ is a zipped KML, so all KML behaviors apply: waypoints become point placemarks and tracks/routes become line placemarks.
- GPX timestamps and elevation are preserved where possible but may appear only in placemark descriptions.
- The output is compressed binary and not directly text-editable like GPX.
How to convert GPX to KMZ
- Drag your GPX file (.gpx) into the converter above, or click to browse.
- Confirm the source is GPX and choose KMZ as the output format.
- Optionally pick a target coordinate system (EPSG) to reproject.
- Click Convert and download your KMZ file. Everything runs in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I pick KML or KMZ?
- Choose KMZ for a smaller, single-file download that is easy to share; choose KML if you want an editable plain-text file.
- Are coordinates reprojected?
- No. Both GPX and KMZ content are WGS84, so coordinate values stay the same.
- Can the KMZ be unzipped back to KML?
- Yes. A KMZ is an ordinary ZIP archive containing a doc.kml, which you can extract at any time.