Format comparison
KML vs FlatGeobuf: Visualization vs Performance
KML is a visualization-focused XML format made for Google Earth. FlatGeobuf is a modern binary format built for performance — fast spatial queries, HTTP range streaming, and compact file size. They have almost no overlap in use cases.
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Bottom line
Use KML for Google Earth visualization. Use FlatGeobuf for high-performance GIS data delivery and web mapping pipelines.
KML vs FlatGeobuf: feature comparison
| Feature | KML | FlatGeobuf |
|---|---|---|
| Primary use | Google Earth visualization | High-performance GIS data |
| Format type | XML text | Binary |
| Spatial index | No | Yes (Hilbert R-tree) |
| HTTP range streaming | No | Yes |
| Styling | Rich inline styles | None |
| File size | Verbose XML | Very compact |
KMLWhen to use KML
- Google Earth and Google Maps visualization
- Maps with icons and rich 3D styling
- Non-technical user distribution
FlatGeobufWhen to use FlatGeobuf
- CDN-hosted vector data for web maps
- Large datasets requiring spatial indexing
- Modern GDAL and cloud-native pipelines
Convert between KML and FlatGeobuf
Frequently asked questions
Q.Can I convert KML to FlatGeobuf online?
Yes. Maparz converts KML to FlatGeobuf — upload your .kml and download a .fgb file.
Q.Can FlatGeobuf be opened in Google Earth?
No, Google Earth does not support FlatGeobuf. Convert to KML or KMZ first for Google Earth use.