• GeoDataViewer Team
GML vs GeoJSON: What’s the Difference?
GML vs GeoJSON compared: structure, size, validation, and the best choice for GIS, web maps, and data exchange—plus when to convert.
GML and GeoJSON both represent geographic features, but they are built for different ecosystems. If you are working with OGC services or schema-rich datasets, GML is common. If you are building web maps or APIs, GeoJSON is usually easier to use.
Quick comparison
| Topic | GML | GeoJSON |
|---|---|---|
| Encoding | XML | JSON |
| Typical usage | Enterprise GIS, OGC services | Web mapping, APIs |
| Validation | Strong (schema-based) | Typically lightweight |
| File size | Often larger | Often smaller |
| Web tooling | Less native | Very common |
When to use GML
Choose GML when you need:
- A standards-based format used by OGC services like WFS
- Schema-driven feature models with strict structure
- Interoperability with workflows that expect GML
When to use GeoJSON
Choose GeoJSON when you need:
- A simple format for web maps and front-end apps
- Easier integration with JavaScript mapping libraries
- Smaller files and simpler tooling
When it makes sense to convert
Many teams keep source-of-truth data in GML, then convert to GeoJSON for:
- Web visualization
- Lightweight exchange
- Quick inspection and debugging
How to open and convert online
- Open GML online: /open-gml-online/
- Open GeoJSON online: /open-geojson-online/
- Convert GML to GeoJSON: /gml-to-geojson/
Related reading
- GML overview: /blog/what-is-gml/