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KML Viewer

Open a .kml or .kmz file exported from Google Earth, Google My Maps, a GPS app or GIS software and see every placemark, path and polygon on an OpenStreetMap map with its original colors. Browse the folders, read descriptions and data fields, measure lengths and areas, and export to GeoJSON or CSV, all without uploading the file.

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How to use the KML Viewer

  1. Open your file with Open KML / KMZ, drop it on the map, or paste KML text. A Yosemite sample is shown first.
  2. Explore the map: drag to pan, scroll, pinch or use + and − to zoom, and press ⤢ to fit everything.
  3. Use the Places list to browse folders, hide layers with the checkboxes and filter by name.
  4. Click a place on the map or in the list to read its description, data fields, length or area.
  5. Export the placemarks to GeoJSON or CSV for use in other mapping tools or spreadsheets.

KML elements this viewer understands

ElementWhat it isHow it is shown
<Placemark>A feature with a name, description and geometryOne row in the Places list and a shape on the map
<Point>Single location lon,lat[,alt]Pin in the icon color, with a label
<LineString>, <gx:Track>Path or recorded trackLine in the LineStyle color and width, with length
<Polygon>Outer ring plus optional holesFilled area using PolyStyle, with area and perimeter
<MultiGeometry>Several geometries in one placemarkAll parts drawn and measured together
<Folder>, <Document>GroupingFolder tree with show/hide checkbox
<Style>, <StyleMap>Colors, widths, iconsApplied to the features that reference them
<ExtendedData>Custom attributes (Data or SchemaData)Key/value table in Details and extra CSV columns
<GroundOverlay>Image draped over a lat/lon boxImage from the KMZ, or a dashed outline
<NetworkLink>Link to another KML on the webCounted but not loaded

KML colors are written backwards

KML stores colors as aabbggrr hexadecimal: alpha (opacity), blue, green, red. That is the reverse of the familiar web order. For example ff0000ff is opaque red, 7f00ff00 is half-transparent green, and the web color #2f6b4f becomes ff4f6b2f in KML. When exporting to GeoJSON, this viewer converts each color back to normal #rrggbb plus a separate opacity value.

Coordinates in KML are always longitude first, then latitude, separated by commas, with tuples separated by spaces: -119.5737,37.7308,2199. A file whose shapes appear in the ocean off Africa usually has latitude and longitude swapped or set to zero.

Frequently asked questions

What is a KML file?

KML (Keyhole Markup Language) is an XML format for geographic data created for Google Earth and standardized by the Open Geospatial Consortium in 2008. It stores placemarks with points, lines and polygons, plus names, descriptions, styles and folders. Coordinates are longitude, latitude and optional altitude in WGS 84.

What is the difference between KML and KMZ?

A KMZ file is a ZIP archive that contains a KML file (usually doc.kml) together with the images it uses, such as custom icons or ground overlay pictures. This viewer unzips KMZ files in your browser and uses the packed images for icons, overlays and description pictures.

How do I open a KML file from Google My Maps?

In My Maps open the map menu (three dots), choose Export to KML/KMZ, pick the layer or the entire map and download. You can open the KMZ directly; tick 'Export as KML' if you prefer a plain text file. Placemark colors and icons chosen in My Maps are kept.

Why are some things in my file not shown?

Network links point to other KML files on the web and are not fetched, to keep your data private and because many servers block it. 3D models are shown as points, photo overlays and screen overlays are skipped, and overlay images that are referenced by URL instead of being packed in a KMZ are drawn as an outline.

Is the description HTML safe to display?

Descriptions are cleaned before display: scripts, frames, forms, styles and event handlers are removed, links open in a new tab, and only images packed inside the KMZ are shown. Remote images are not loaded, so opening a file never contacts the servers it mentions.

How accurate are the length and area values?

Lengths use the haversine great-circle formula and areas a spherical polygon formula on a sphere with the mean Earth radius (6,371 km). For typical maps this is within about 0.5 percent of precise ellipsoidal values. Altitude is ignored for distances.

Can I convert KML to GeoJSON or CSV here?

Yes. Download GeoJSON writes every placemark with its name, description text, folder and ExtendedData fields as properties and its colors as simplestyle properties. Download CSV writes one row per placemark with latitude and longitude (the point or the center of a line or polygon), length, area, data fields and a WKT geometry column.

Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?

Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.

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