Convert KML to Shapefile Online — Free & Instant
KML files from Google Earth or Google My Maps often need to be converted to Shapefile format for use in desktop GIS tools like QGIS and ArcGIS. Maparz accepts both .kml and .kmz files and produces a ZIP archive containing all Shapefile components ready for immediate GIS use.
Converter
When to convert KML to Shapefile
- Converting Google My Maps exports to Shapefile for GIS analysis
- Importing Google Earth paths and polygons into ArcGIS
- Converting KML boundaries from government portals to Shapefile
- Bringing field-collected KML tracks into QGIS for processing
How to convert KML to Shapefile
- 1
Upload your KML or KMZ
Drop a .kml or .kmz file on the upload zone. Both formats are accepted.
- 2
Select Shapefile output
Click Shapefile .zip in the format panel.
- 3
Download and unzip
Unzip the downloaded file and open the .shp in QGIS or ArcGIS.
About KML format
Keyhole Markup Language (KML) is an XML-based format developed for Google Earth and now maintained by the OGC. It is widely used in Google Maps, Google Earth, and many consumer-facing mapping applications. KML supports styled geometry, network links, folders, and time-based animations. It always uses geographic coordinates (WGS 84) and is stored as plain XML text. KMZ is simply a ZIP-compressed KML file, which can also include embedded images and other resources.
Strengths
- +Native in Google Earth and Google Maps
- +Supports rich styling and labels
- +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
Can I upload a KMZ file?
Yes. Maparz accepts both .kml and .kmz files. KMZ is automatically decompressed before conversion.
What happens to KML folders and nested placemarks?
GDAL flattens KML folders into a single layer. Folder names are preserved as a field in the attribute table.
Will styling from Google Earth be preserved?
No. Shapefile format does not store KML style information (colours, icons). The geometry and attributes are preserved.