Developer tool

KMZ to GPX Converter

Convert Google Earth KMZ archives into GPX for Garmin, Wahoo, Strava and handheld GPS units.

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

Complete the security check to begin

About Converting KMZ to GPX

Google Earth saves projects as KMZ. GPS devices and fitness apps read GPX. Neither will open the other, which is the whole problem this converter solves: you have planned a route or marked a set of locations in Google Earth, and now you want them on a Garmin, a Wahoo, a handheld receiver, or in Strava, Komoot or Gaia GPS. A KMZ is a ZIP wrapping a KML document, so the converter opens the archive, reads the KML inside, and re-expresses your data in the GPX schema those devices expect.

The two formats model the world slightly differently, and the mapping reflects that. A KML Point becomes a GPX waypoint (a wpt element). A LineString or a Track becomes a GPX track with its points in order (trk and trkpt), which is what a device draws as a route to follow. Elevation values come across as the ele element on each point, so climb profiles survive. Names and descriptions are kept so your waypoints stay identifiable on a small device screen.

Common use cases

  • Getting a route you planned in Google Earth onto a Garmin or Wahoo head unit
  • Loading marked locations into a handheld GPS before going somewhere without signal
  • Importing a planned hike or ride into Strava, Komoot, Gaia GPS or AllTrails
  • Converting a shared KMZ of trailheads or waypoints into something your watch can read
  • Moving survey or inspection points from Google Earth into a field data collector

Tips for best results

  • Polygons have no GPX equivalent — GPX describes waypoints, routes and tracks, not areas. A polygon boundary comes across as a track following its outline, which is usually what you want for navigation anyway.
  • Most devices have a waypoint limit, often a few hundred to a few thousand. If a large KMZ produces more waypoints than your unit accepts, split it before loading.
  • Elevation in the source is preserved as the ele element. If your KMZ has no altitude data, the GPX simply omits elevation rather than inventing zeros.
  • The inner KML’s declared size is checked before anything is decompressed, so a deliberately over-compressed archive is refused instead of being expanded.

How to Convert KMZ to GPX Online

Here is how a KMZ → GPX conversion works on PrivConvert, from start to finish. What you gain with GPX: universal on GPS units, watches and fitness platforms.

1
Upload your KMZ 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 KMZ to GPX starts automatically. The process runs entirely in an isolated environment - your data never leaves the secure pipeline.

3
Download your GPX 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 KMZ to GPX with PrivConvert?

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

No human ever sees it

Your files are handled entirely by automated code. No staff, partner or AI model ever reads, stores or trains on your data.

Zero data retention

Files are processed in volatile memory (RAM) and purged the instant your download is ready — nothing is ever written to disk, cached or backed up.

Encrypted transfers

Every upload and download is protected with TLS 1.3, so your file cannot be intercepted on the way to the server or back to you.

No account required

Convert instantly with no sign-up, no email and no profiling cookies. We never build a profile around you or the files you convert.

KMZ vs GPX - Format Comparison

FeatureKMZGPX
File extension.kmz.gpx
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 GPX

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 KMZ to GPX?
Upload your .kmz file above, complete the quick security check, and a GPX file with your waypoints and tracks is generated instantly. No install or sign-up required.
What happens to polygons in my Google Earth file?
GPX has no concept of an area, only waypoints, routes and tracks. A polygon boundary is written as a track following its outline, which is the useful form for navigation.
Will my device see waypoints or a route?
Both, depending on what was in the source. Individual Google Earth placemarks become GPX waypoints; paths and tracks become GPX tracks, which is the form a device follows turn by turn.
Why can my GPS not just read the KMZ?
GPX is the interchange format the GPS industry standardised on, and it is a plain XML schema built around waypoints and tracks. KMZ is a compressed Google Earth project, so devices have no reason to implement it.
Do names and descriptions carry over?
Yes. Placemark names become waypoint names and descriptions are preserved, so your points stay labelled on the device.
Is my route data kept on your servers?
No. Everything happens in memory and the file is wiped as soon as the download is ready — your locations are never written to disk or logged.

Further Reading