Convert KML to GPX

Points become waypoints, paths become tracks, ready for a GPS or a phone app. Free, and the file never leaves your browser.

or drop KML here

How the conversion works

1
Choose a .kml file exported from Google Earth or Google My Maps, drop it here, or paste the KML text.
2
Each Placemark with a Point becomes a waypoint (wpt) with its name and description. Each LineString becomes a track (trk) with one segment; a MultiGeometry of lines becomes one track with several segments. A polygon becomes a track that follows its outline, with a notice.
3
Download the .gpx and load it on the device or in the app: Garmin BaseCamp or the Newfiles folder, Komoot, OsmAnd, Gaia GPS, Strava routes, AllTrails.

How each part is mapped

GPX 1.1, the version every device reads. What KML has and GPX does not is listed under the limits.

KML	GPX
Placemark with a Point	A wpt with name, desc and, when the KML has an altitude, ele.
Placemark with a LineString	A trk with one trkseg. The name becomes the track name.
MultiGeometry of LineStrings	One trk with one trkseg per line.
Polygon	A trk along the outer ring, then one segment per hole. GPX has no polygon.
description	desc on the waypoint or track.
TimeStamp	time on the waypoint or track.
ExtendedData, Folder, styles	Left out. GPX has no place for them.

What it does not do

GPX has no polygon. A polygon comes out as a track that follows its outline, so it shows as a closed line on the device.
ExtendedData, folders, icons and colours are dropped: a GPX carries name, description, elevation and time and little else.
No per-point time on tracks: KML lines carry no timestamps, so the GPX track has none either. Strava accepts such a file as a route, not as an activity.
KMZ has to be unzipped first, or use the KMZ to GPX converter.
Files up to 50 MB.

Questions people ask

Does my KML get uploaded?: No. The conversion is JavaScript in your browser tab. Nothing is sent.
Will a Garmin read the result?: Yes. It is plain GPX 1.1 with wpt and trk elements. Copy it to the Garmin's Newfiles folder, or import it in BaseCamp or Garmin Connect.
Should my paths be tracks or routes?: Tracks. A route in GPX is a list of turn points for a navigation device to compute between; a track is the line itself, which is what a KML path is. Every app reads tracks.
Can I upload it to Strava?: As a route, yes: Strava, Routes, Create, Upload GPX. Strava rejects it as an activity because there are no timestamps on the points, which KML never had.
How do I get the KML from Google My Maps?: Open the map, the three-dot menu, Export to KML/KMZ, tick Export as KML. If you kept the KMZ, use the KMZ to GPX page on this site.

Next, open it in QGIS

Every one of these files loads in QGIS in one dialog. Once the points or polygons sit on your imagery, the two TerraLab plugins take over: AI Segmentation detects the objects the file is missing, AI Edit renders a project on the map.

See AI Segmentation See AI Edit