Convert GPX to Shapefile Online — Free & Instant
Convert your GPX tracks and waypoints to Shapefile format for use in ArcGIS, QGIS, or other desktop GIS software. Maparz uses GDAL to handle all GPX geometry types including waypoints, tracks, and routes.
Converter
When to convert GPX to Shapefile
- Import GPS survey data into ArcGIS or QGIS as a Shapefile layer.
- Analyse hiking trails or cycling routes in desktop GIS tools.
- Combine field-collected GPS waypoints with existing Shapefile datasets.
- Convert Garmin or Trimble GPS data for use in enterprise GIS workflows.
- Share GPS tracks with colleagues who work in Esri environments.
How to convert GPX to Shapefile
- 1
Upload your GPX file
Drag and drop your .gpx file onto the converter, or click to browse.
- 2
Select Shapefile output
Click the 'Shapefile .zip' button. Because Shapefile requires a single geometry type, waypoints (points) and tracks (lines) will be exported as separate layers inside the ZIP.
- 3
Click Convert file
GDAL converts your GPX and packages the output as a .zip archive containing the .shp, .dbf, .shx, and .prj files.
- 4
Extract and use
Unzip the downloaded file and open the .shp in ArcGIS, QGIS, or any Shapefile-compatible tool.
About GPX format
GPX (GPS Exchange Format) is an XML-based format for storing GPS data including waypoints, routes, and tracks. It is the de-facto standard for sharing GPS recordings from devices like Garmin, Suunto, and smartphones. GPX is natively supported by Google Earth, Strava, Komoot, Garmin Connect, and virtually every GPS application. A GPX file can contain three types of data: waypoints (individual points of interest), routes (ordered lists of waypoints for navigation), and tracks (continuous GPS recordings with timestamps). GDAL reads and writes GPX natively.
Strengths
- +Universal GPS device compatibility
- +Supported by Strava, Garmin, Google Earth
- +Contains timestamps and elevation data
- +Human-readable XML
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
Why does the Shapefile ZIP contain multiple .shp files?
Shapefile requires a single geometry type per file. GPX tracks (LineStrings) and waypoints (Points) cannot be stored in the same .shp, so GDAL creates separate files.
Is elevation preserved in the Shapefile?
Yes. If elevation data is present in the GPX, it is stored as a field in the .dbf attribute table.
What CRS does the output Shapefile use?
The output uses WGS 84 (EPSG:4326), the same CRS as all GPX files.