How KMZ works
Structurally a KMZ is just a compressed container: unzip it and you get a main KML document 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.
Coordinate systems and reprojection
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.
Compare KMZ with other GIS formats
Convert KMZ to another format
Choose a conversion below for the online converter, format-specific caveats, and step-by-step instructions for KMZ.
Convert files to KMZ
Tutorials
Format standards and references
These primary sources document the file formats. GeoConvert supports the conversion features and limits described above.
Frequently asked questions
- What file extension does KMZ use?
- KMZ uses .kmz (a zipped KML document).
- Does KMZ store a coordinate system?
- 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.
- Can I convert KMZ online?
- Yes. GeoConvert can read or write KMZ in your browser for the conversion paths listed above, without uploading free-tier files to a server.