Convert GeoPackage to Shapefile Online — Free & Instant
Converting GeoPackage to Shapefile is required when delivering data to clients or agencies that require the legacy Shapefile format. GPKG's modern features are mapped to Shapefile's more constrained structure, including automatic field name truncation to 10 characters.
Converter
When to convert GeoPackage to Shapefile
- Delivering data to clients or government agencies requiring Shapefile format
- Converting QGIS GeoPackage projects for use in ArcMap (legacy)
- Exporting individual GPKG layers to Shapefile for sharing
How to convert GeoPackage to Shapefile
- 1
Upload GPKG
Drop your .gpkg file on the upload zone.
- 2
Select Shapefile
Click Shapefile .zip.
- 3
Download and use
Unzip and open the .shp in any GIS application.
About GeoPackage format
GeoPackage (GPKG) is a modern, open standard format defined by the OGC that stores geospatial data in a single SQLite database file. It supports both vector and raster data, multiple layers per file, field name lengths up to 64 characters, and virtually any coordinate reference system. GeoPackage is endorsed by the OGC as the preferred replacement for Shapefile. It is supported by QGIS, ArcGIS Pro, GDAL, and PostGIS. Its SQLite base makes it portable and queryable without a server.
Strengths
- +Single file containing multiple layers
- +No field name length limit
- +Supports vector and raster in one file
- +SQLite-based — portable and queryable
About Shapefile format
Shapefile (SHP) is the de-facto standard vector format developed by Esri. A shapefile is actually a collection of at least three files: .shp (geometry), .dbf (attributes), and .shx (index). Despite its age, it remains the most widely-supported format across GIS desktop software including ArcGIS and QGIS. Shapefiles support points, lines, and polygons but are limited to 2 GB in size and 10-character field names. When sharing shapefiles, always bundle them into a .zip archive.
Strengths
- +Universal compatibility with all GIS software
- +Stable, well-documented format
- +Supported natively by QGIS, ArcGIS, GRASS
Frequently asked questions
Are field names truncated?
Yes. Shapefile field names are limited to 10 characters. GDAL automatically truncates longer GPKG column names.
Which layer is converted if GPKG has multiple?
The first vector layer in the GeoPackage is converted. For multi-layer conversion, use QGIS or ogr2ogr locally.