Format comparison
GeoJSON vs GML: JSON vs XML Geospatial Format
GeoJSON and GML are both open standards for geospatial vector data. GeoJSON uses compact JSON, making it developer-friendly and browser-native. GML uses XML with strict OGC schemas, making it the choice for government services and OGC-compliant systems.
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Bottom line
Use GeoJSON for web apps, APIs, and modern GIS. Use GML when consuming OGC WFS services or government INSPIRE datasets.
GeoJSON vs GML: feature comparison
| Feature | GeoJSON | GML |
|---|---|---|
| Format type | JSON | XML |
| Standard body | IETF RFC 7946 | OGC GML 3.x |
| File size | Smaller | Very verbose (XML overhead) |
| Browser native | Yes | No |
| Schema validation | No | Yes (XSD) |
| WFS service output | Optional | Default |
| Developer friendliness | High | Low |
GeoJSONWhen to use GeoJSON
- Web mapping and REST APIs
- Modern GIS and data science pipelines
- Small to medium datasets
GMLWhen to use GML
- OGC WFS service consumption
- European INSPIRE open data
- Government datasets requiring schema-validated exchange
Convert between GeoJSON and GML
Frequently asked questions
Q.Can I convert GML to GeoJSON online?
Yes. Maparz converts GML to GeoJSON instantly — upload your .gml file and download a .geojson file.
Q.Why is GML so much larger than GeoJSON?
GML uses XML which requires opening and closing tags for every element. A GML file is often 5–10x larger than the equivalent GeoJSON file for the same data.