About This Tool
The KML to GPX Converter is a free browser tool that turns Google Earth and Google Maps KML files into standard GPX 1.1 for GPS units and navigation apps. Placemark points become GPX waypoints, LineString and LinearRing paths become GPX tracks, and gx:Track GPS recordings convert with their original timestamps intact. Names, descriptions, and elevation carry over, and nested Documents, Folders, and MultiGeometry elements are all walked automatically. There is no account, no install, and no upload: the conversion runs entirely in your browser, so your file never leaves your device. KML files up to 25 MB are supported.
How to Use It
- Save your data as KML. In Google Earth, right-click the item and choose Save Place As, picking .kml as the format. If you end up with a .kmz, unzip it first (rename to .zip and extract the doc.kml inside).
- Load the file. Drag and drop the .kml onto the upload area, or click to browse.
- Review what was found. The tool lists the placemarks, tracks, track points, and waypoints it detected before anything is converted.
- Convert and download. Click Convert to GPX — the .gpx file downloads immediately, ready to load onto a GPS unit or into a navigation app.
What Converts to What
| KML element | GPX output |
|---|---|
| Placemark > Point | Waypoint (<wpt>) with name and description |
| LineString path | Track (<trk>) with one segment |
| LinearRing outline | Track, converted as a path |
| gx:Track recording | Track with per-point timestamps |
| MultiGeometry / MultiTrack | Each child geometry converted individually |
| Document and Folder nesting | Walked recursively — folder structure doesn't matter |
| Polygons, overlays, styles | Not converted — display-only, no GPX equivalent |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert a KMZ file?
Not directly — KMZ is a zip archive. Rename the file to .zip, extract it, and load the doc.kml found inside.
Are Google Earth timestamps preserved?
Yes. gx:Track recordings pair each coordinate with a <when> timestamp, and those convert to GPX <time> elements, so speed and duration analysis still works downstream.
KML lists longitude before latitude — is that handled?
Yes. KML coordinates are lon,lat,ele tuples while GPX uses lat/lon attributes; the converter swaps the order automatically and validates every coordinate's range.
What happens to polygons and image overlays?
They are skipped — polygons, ground overlays, and styles are display features with no GPX equivalent. If a file contains only those, the tool tells you nothing is convertible.
Is elevation kept?
Yes, when the KML includes a third coordinate value it is written to the GPX <ele> element. Points without elevation convert fine without it.
Is my file uploaded anywhere?
No. The KML is parsed and the GPX generated entirely by JavaScript in your browser; nothing is sent to a server.
Learn More
How to Convert KML to GPX
The full walkthrough for this tool — KMZ handling, what survives conversion, and alternatives
How to Convert GPX to KML
Going the other direction — from GPS files into Google Earth
GPX vs KML vs TCX vs FIT
What each GPS file format stores and when to convert
GPX File Basics
Tracks, routes, and waypoints explained from the ground up
Request a Feature
Have an idea that would make this tool better? Post it on the feature request board and vote on what gets built next.