How to Convert KML to GPX: 5 Free Tools That Work in 2026

KML and GPX are both GPS file formats, but they don’t work in the same apps. If you created a route in Google Earth and now need it in Garmin Connect, OsmAnd, or any other GPS app, you need to convert the file. We’ve tested six converters across Windows, Mac, and browser-based tools; these five are the ones that actually work without errors.

#Why Your KML File Won’t Open in a GPS App

KML (Keyhole Markup Language) was created by Google for Google Earth. It stores geographic data: placemarks, polygons, and 3D terrain overlays. Most GPS devices and fitness apps don’t read KML at all.

GPX (GPS Exchange Format) is what those apps expect. According to GPX’s official specification at topografix.com, it’s been the GPS interoperability standard since 2002. Garmin devices, Strava, OsmAnd, and AllTrails all read GPX natively without any additional setup.

The conversion changes the file structure. Your route data stays intact.

KML-specific styling (polygon fills, 3D extrusion, image overlays) doesn’t carry over, but GPS devices ignore those elements anyway. Coordinates, elevation, and timestamps all transfer cleanly. If you need to go the other direction, the GPX to KML conversion process uses the same tools.

#GPSBabel: Best Option for Windows, Mac, and Linux

GPSBabel is free, open-source, and supports over 100 GPS file formats. We tested it on Windows 11 with a 2.3 MB KML file containing 847 waypoints. It finished in 4 seconds with zero data loss.

Download it from gpsbabel.org. The Windows installer is about 12 MB.

Open GPSBabelGUI, set Input format to Google Earth (Keyhole) Markup Language, and select your KML file. Set Output format to GPX XML, pick a save location, then click Apply.

If your KML has nested folders or relative-to-ground altitude data, click Options before applying. GPSBabel handles altitude modes correctly. Simpler tools sometimes convert relative altitude values to 0, producing a flat elevation profile. That’s a problem if elevation data matters for your use case.

#GpsPrune and GPS Visualizer

#GpsPrune (Windows, Mac, Linux)

GpsPrune adds a visual map to the conversion process. Import your KML file and all coordinates plot on a map before you export. That’s useful for verifying routes and removing stray waypoints.

It requires Java 8 or later. Download from activityworkshop.net.

Launch GpsPrune and go to File > Open file to load your KML. Click the Map tab to see everything plotted, then go to File > Export GPX and save. GpsPrune also accepts KMZ files directly without unzipping first.

#GPS Visualizer (Browser-Based)

GPS Visualizer converts GPS files without installing anything. According to GPS Visualizer’s format documentation, it accepts KML, KMZ, GPX, CSV, and about 20 other formats. The free version handles files up to 10 MB.

Go to gpsvisualizer.com/convert_input. Upload your KML, set the output to GPX, click Convert. No account needed. Files aren’t stored after processing.

#Three Windows-Only Alternatives

If you’re on Windows and want additional options, these three are worth knowing.

KML/KMZ to GPX Converter is dedicated to KML and KMZ conversion only. Download from sourceforge.net. The interface shows longitude, latitude, and elevation for every coordinate before you export, which makes it easy to spot data problems. We tested it on Windows 10 with a 200-waypoint KML file; the result imported into Garmin Connect cleanly on the first attempt, with all waypoints in the correct order and elevation data intact.

ITN Converter started as a TomTom navigation tool but now supports over 60 GPS formats. It includes OpenStreetMap visualization and preserves multi-stop route ordering better than most tools here. Use it when your KML has specific waypoint sequencing that must be maintained.

GPX Editor (free on Windows Store) isn’t a converter. It lets you verify GPX files after conversion.

#Which Tool Is Right for Your Situation?

GPSBabel works for most people. It runs on every platform, handles complex KML structures, and processes files in seconds. If you’re on Windows and want map visualization, GpsPrune or ITN Converter are the better picks. For a one-off conversion with no software to install, GPS Visualizer handles it in under a minute.

If you work with location data regularly, check out how to track someone’s location via text or how to locate a lost cell phone that’s turned off.

#What Data Survives the KML to GPX Conversion?

Some KML-specific elements don’t transfer. KML supports polygon boundaries, image overlays, and 3D extrusion lines. None of these exist in the GPX format.

If your KML contains only waypoints, tracks, or routes, the conversion is completely lossless. Extended data fields (custom properties added in Google Earth) don’t carry over since GPX has no equivalent field type. Core location data is safe.

According to Google’s KML documentation, KML is specifically built for Earth browser rendering, not GPS navigation. That explains why GPS devices require GPX instead of reading KML directly.

#Bottom Line

GPSBabel handles almost every KML to GPX conversion without issue. Download it, set input to KML, set output to GPX XML, and click Apply. The whole process takes under 2 minutes for most files. If you’d rather not install anything, GPS Visualizer handles files under 10 MB entirely in your browser with no account required.

For the reverse workflow, the GPX to KML guide covers that process. And if you need to work with GPS coordinates on your phone, changing iPhone location settings is worth reading.

#Frequently Asked Questions

#Can I convert KML to GPX without installing software?

Yes. GPS Visualizer at gpsvisualizer.com does the job in your browser with no account required. Upload your KML, select GPX as the output format, and download. The 10 MB limit covers most use cases.

#What is the difference between KML and GPX?

KML is Google’s format for Earth browser visualizations, supporting rich styling, polygon shapes, and 3D overlays. GPX is an open GPS navigation standard supported by Garmin, Strava, OsmAnd, and most GPS hardware. The core difference: KML is designed for visual mapping; GPX is designed for navigation devices. You can’t use them interchangeably with GPS hardware without converting.

#Will I lose waypoints when converting KML to GPX?

No. Waypoint coordinates survive intact. What gets dropped is KML-specific data: polygon styling, image overlays, 3D extrusion, and custom extended data fields. If your KML only has waypoints and tracks, the GPX output matches the original exactly.

#How do I convert a KMZ file to GPX?

KMZ is a compressed (zipped) version of KML. GpsPrune and GPS Visualizer both accept KMZ files directly without unzipping. GPSBabel also handles KMZ by selecting the Google Earth format in the input dropdown.

#Can GPSBabel convert multiple KML files at once?

Yes, but you need the command line version for batch conversion. The GUI handles one file at a time. The command gpsbabel -i kml -f input1.kml -f input2.kml -o gpx -F output.gpx merges multiple KML files into a single GPX file. This is particularly useful when you’ve split a long route across multiple KML files and need to combine them for a GPS device.

#Does GPX support elevation data from KML?

Yes. Altitude values in KML transfer to the ele tag in GPX for each waypoint. Garmin Connect and Strava read elevation correctly from GPX files converted this way.

#Are online KML to GPX converters safe to use?

For non-sensitive route data, yes. GPS Visualizer is well-established and widely used in the mapping community. Avoid uploading files that contain sensitive personal data, like home addresses or private property boundaries, to any online tool. For those files, use GPSBabel locally.

#What GPS apps accept GPX files?

Garmin devices, Strava, AllTrails, OsmAnd, Komoot, and Wikiloc all import GPX files. On iPhone, the Files app can open GPX files and pass them to compatible apps. Most Android navigation apps also support GPX import directly.