Document formats

What is the KML format?

KML — Google Earth KML

KML is the XML format of Google Earth for places, paths and shapes on a map, also used by Google My Maps and many GIS programs.

RW converts both ways KML Converter

Convert KML to

Convert to KML

About the KML format

KML (Keyhole Markup Language) came to Google with Google Earth and became an OGC standard in 2008. It describes placemarks, lines, polygons and their styles, and can include tracks with time stamps.

GPS devices, sports watches and hiking apps usually want GPX instead. Converting KML to GPX makes the places and paths usable for navigation; to GeoJSON it goes to web maps, and to CSV it becomes a list of coordinates.

Programs that open KML

  • Google Earth
  • Google My Maps
  • QGIS
  • ArcGIS
  • Marble
  • GPSBabel

What KML is used for

  • Places and routes in Google Earth
  • Maps shared from Google My Maps
  • GIS data exchange

Popular Document formats

All 38 Document formats · all supported formats