Google & GPS · .kml
Keyhole Markup Language (KML)
KML is an XML-based format created for Google Earth. A single document can combine points, paths and polygons with names, descriptions, styles and a folder hierarchy.
- Best used for
- Sharing locations, routes and areas with Google Earth users, especially when visual presentation matters more than a strict GIS table schema.
- GeoVerto support
- GeoVerto reads and writes KML and transforms projected source data to WGS 84 where required. The published English catalogue includes KML as both a source and a target; every current route is listed below.
File structure and KMZ
A plain .kml document is one file, but any remote icons or overlays remain external dependencies. To bundle local icons or overlay images with the document, use the compressed KMZ format.
Coordinate reference system
KML coordinates are WGS 84 longitude/latitude (EPSG:4326). KML has no mechanism for declaring a different CRS, so projected source data must be transformed during export.
Limits to know
- Points, lines and polygons may coexist; a single-geometry target such as Shapefile needs separate outputs.
- Styles, icons and folder nesting do not have direct equivalents in every GIS format.
- ExtendedData is less rigidly typed than a database or GeoPackage schema, and HTML descriptions may need cleaning on export.
Supported conversions
Convert from KML
- Convert KML to Shapefile — Move Google Earth vector data into a format understood by desktop GIS.
- Convert KML to GPX — Move placemarks and paths out of Google Earth and into a portable GPS exchange file.
- Convert KML to GeoJSON — Turn a Google Earth document into the native interchange format used by many browser maps and JavaScript GIS tools.
- Convert KML to CSV — Extract Google Earth point data into a straightforward table for filtering, reporting and spreadsheet work.
- Convert KML to XLSX — Bring Google Earth point data into an Excel workbook for filtering, reporting and exchange with non-GIS colleagues.
Convert to KML
- Convert Shapefile to KML — Turn GIS features into a readable Google Earth document.
- Convert GPX to KML — Open GPS data from navigation apps, watches and handheld receivers in Google Earth without manually rebuilding placemarks.
- Convert GeoJSON to KML — Take features from a web map or API response and make them directly viewable in Google Earth.
- Convert CSV to KML — Put survey points, asset lists or any coordinate table onto Google Earth without copying rows into placemarks by hand.
- Convert KMZ to KML — Open the XML-based map document inside a KMZ when a script, text editor or downstream tool requires plain KML.
- Convert XLSX to KML — Place spreadsheet rows on Google Earth without first exporting and hand-editing a CSV file.
- Convert DXF to KML — Place CAD points, lines and compatible areas into their real-world position in Google Earth.
Convert KML now
Choose a verified English workflow for this format, with source checks before conversion and a clear download step.