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/