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• GeoDataViewer Team

What Is KML and KMZ? Google Earth Formats Explained

Learn what KML and KMZ are, what they’re used for, and how to open or convert KML/KMZ to GeoJSON for modern web mapping.

KML (Keyhole Markup Language) is an XML-based format used to store geographic features and overlays, originally popularized by Google Earth. KMZ is a zipped version of KML that can bundle the KML with related resources such as icons or images.

To preview KML quickly, use the KML viewer: /open-kml-online/.

What KML contains

KML commonly includes:

  • Placemarks (points, lines, polygons)
  • Folders and feature grouping
  • Styling information (colors, labels, icons)
  • Descriptions and metadata

KMZ packages the same content into a single compressed file, which is easier to share.

When KML/KMZ is a good choice

Use KML/KMZ when:

  • You need a format that works well in Google Earth
  • You want to share map overlays with styling and organization
  • Your workflow already produces KML outputs

Limitations

  • KML is less convenient for modern web mapping toolchains than GeoJSON.
  • Tooling can vary across platforms, especially for complex styling.

Convert KML to GeoJSON

GeoJSON is typically easier for web maps and APIs: