What is KML?
KML (Keyhole Markup Language) is an XML-based format for expressing geographic annotation and visualization, adopted as an OGC standard and popularized by Google Earth.
KML describes Placemarks, geometries (points, lines, polygons), and their presentation using an XML tree that also supports folders for organization, rich styling (icons, colors, line widths, fills), balloon descriptions, and ground overlays. It is designed for display and sharing rather than analysis, and is opened natively by Google Earth, Google Maps, and most GIS packages. Because it targets a single global view, it has no concept of reprojection.
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.
Why convert KML to GPX?
GPX is what GPS units and outdoor apps read. Use a point-only KML to create waypoints or a path-only KML made only from standard LineString placemarks to create routes. Separate incompatible geometry before converting it.
Coordinate systems
KML coordinates are always geographic WGS84 longitude, latitude, and (optionally) altitude in that order; the format has no CRS or projection field, so any data written to KML is expressed in EPSG:4326 by definition.
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.
What to watch out for
- GPX accepts one geometry family: only Point placemarks or only standard LineString placemarks. Mixed Point and LineString, Polygon, MultiGeometry results (Multi* or GeometryCollection), empty or invalid geometry, standalone LinearRing, Model, gx:Track, and gx:MultiTrack are rejected. LineString placemarks are written as GPX routes (<rte>), while Point placemarks become waypoints (<wpt>).
- Both formats are WGS84, so no reprojection occurs.
- Placemark Name values are retained. Description content maps into a GPX <extensions> entry; KML styling and custom ExtendedData are not preserved.
- GPX uses a fixed waypoint/route model for these inputs, so KML folders and richer document structure are flattened.
How to convert KML to GPX
- Drag your KML file (.kml) into the converter above, or click to browse.
- Confirm the source is KML and choose GPX as the output format.
- Optionally pick a target coordinate system (EPSG) to reproject.
- Click Convert and download your GPX file. Everything runs in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
- Can one KML mix Point and LineString or use gx:Track for GPX conversion?
- No. Use a point-only or path-only KML made from standard LineString placemarks. Mixed geometry, MultiGeometry, gx:Track, gx:MultiTrack, Polygon, and empty geometry are rejected.
- Will my placemark names carry over?
- Yes. Placemark Name values become waypoint or route names, and Description content maps into a GPX <extensions> entry. KML styling and custom ExtendedData are not preserved.
- Do coordinates change?
- No. KML and GPX both use WGS84, so coordinate values pass through unchanged.