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.
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 KMZ to GPX?
GPX is the format GPS devices and outdoor apps understand. Use a point-only KMZ to create waypoints or a path-only KMZ made only from standard KML LineString placemarks to create routes. Separate incompatible geometry before converting it.
Coordinate systems
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.
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>).
- The KMZ content is WGS84, matching GPX, 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 inside the archive are flattened.
How to convert KMZ to GPX
- Drag your KMZ file (.kmz) into the converter above, or click to browse.
- Confirm the source is KMZ 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
- Do I need to unzip the KMZ myself?
- No. The conversion opens the KMZ, reads the KML inside, and produces the GPX file.
- Can one KMZ mix Point and LineString or use gx:Track for GPX conversion?
- No. Use a point-only or path-only KMZ made from standard KML LineString placemarks. Mixed geometry, MultiGeometry, gx:Track, gx:MultiTrack, Polygon, and empty geometry are rejected.
- Are coordinates changed?
- No. KMZ content and GPX are both WGS84, so coordinate values are unchanged.