Developer tool

GPX to KMZ Converter

Convert GPS tracks and waypoints (.gpx) into a compressed Google Earth KMZ archive.

GPX KMZ
PrivConvert
Privacy-first conversion
No files stored
In-memory processing
Deleted instantly
No sign-up needed

Complete the security check to begin

About Converting GPX to KMZ

A GPX file is what your watch, bike computer or handheld GPS produces: a plain XML list of waypoints, routes and tracks. It is excellent for devices and unremarkable to look at. Google Earth, on the other hand, will drape that same track over satellite imagery and terrain, let you fly along it, and show the elevation profile against the real landscape. To get there your track needs to be KML, and specifically KMZ — a ZIP archive with the KML inside as doc.kml.

This converter reads every waypoint and track point out of your GPX and writes them as KML placemarks and paths, then packages the result as a KMZ. Choosing KMZ over plain KML is not cosmetic: it is a single compressed file, typically a fraction of the size, which matters when a recorded ride holds tens of thousands of track points and you want to email it or attach it to a report.

Common use cases

  • Viewing a recorded ride, run or hike draped over Google Earth’s terrain and imagery
  • Sharing a route as one compact file that opens with a double-click on any desktop
  • Presenting a field survey or site visit to someone who has Google Earth but no GIS software
  • Adding a GPS track to a report, proposal or planning document as a viewable attachment
  • Archiving a route in a format that stays readable without the original device or app

Tips for best results

  • KMZ is the better choice over KML for anything with a lot of track points: the archive compresses the repetitive coordinate text heavily, often to a small fraction of the original.
  • Elevation from your GPX is preserved in the coordinates, so Google Earth can draw the track against terrain rather than flat on the ground.
  • Waypoints become individually clickable placemarks with their names intact, so a route with marked stops stays navigable in Google Earth.
  • The output is byte-for-byte identical for the same input every time — the archive carries a fixed timestamp, so nothing about when or how you uploaded leaks into the file.

How to Convert GPX to KMZ Online

Here is how a GPX → KMZ conversion works on PrivConvert, from start to finish. What you gain with KMZ: one self-contained file including icons and overlays.

1
Upload your GPX file

Drag and drop your file into the upload area, click to browse your device, or paste a URL to a file hosted online. You can upload files up to 250 MB and batch convert up to 20 files at once.

2
Automatic conversion

Once uploaded, the conversion from GPX to KMZ starts automatically. The process runs entirely in an isolated environment - your data never leaves the secure pipeline.

3
Download your KMZ file

Your converted file is ready instantly. Click the download button to save it to your device. The file is deleted from memory immediately after download.

Why convert GPX to KMZ with PrivConvert?

PrivConvert turns your GPX into KMZ without ever storing, logging or sharing it. Here is what that looks like in practice:

Works on any device

Runs in any modern browser on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS — no install, plugin or desktop software needed.

Fast in-memory processing

Each job runs in an isolated in-memory sandbox, so most conversions finish in seconds instead of waiting in a queue.

Nothing is stored

We never keep a copy. Once your KMZ is delivered, both the original and the result are gone — there is nothing left to leak or misuse.

Isolated sandbox

Every conversion runs in its own locked-down process with no network access, so files can never leak or interfere with one another.

GPX vs KMZ - Format Comparison

FeatureGPXKMZ
File extension.gpx.kmz
Supported by PrivConvertYes (as input)Yes (as output)
Privacy-safe conversionIn-memory, zero storage
Max file size250 MB per file
Batch supportUp to 20 files simultaneously

Why people pick PrivConvert for KMZ

Thousands of people trust PrivConvert with their files because privacy here is structural — enforced by how the service runs, not just promised.

250 MB Max file size
450+ Conversion tools
0 sec File retention
100% Free to use

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert GPX to KMZ?
Upload your .gpx file above, complete the quick security check, and a Google Earth KMZ archive is generated instantly. No install or sign-up required.
Why choose KMZ instead of KML?
KMZ is the same KML content inside a compressed single-file archive. GPS tracks repeat a lot of coordinate text, so the archive is typically far smaller and much easier to email or attach.
Should I convert to KML or KMZ?
KMZ for almost every case. It is the same KML content in a compressed single-file wrapper, so it is smaller and easier to share, and Google Earth opens it identically.
Will Google Earth show the elevation profile?
If your GPX recorded elevation, yes — the values are carried into the KML coordinates, which is what Google Earth reads to draw a track in three dimensions.
What happens to routes as opposed to tracks?
GPX distinguishes a planned route from a recorded track; both are sets of ordered points, and both become KML paths that Google Earth draws as lines.
Is my GPS data stored?
No. The file is converted in memory and discarded the instant your download is ready. Nothing is written to persistent storage.

Further Reading