.kml

What is a .kml file?

KML is an XML format for geographic visualisation — placemarks, paths, and polygons created for Google Earth and mapping tools.

Safe format
Type Misc
By Keyhole Inc. / Google
MIME application/vnd.google-earth.kml+xml

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What is it

You have a .kml file — geographic data designed to be displayed on a map. KML (Keyhole Markup Language) was created for Google Earth and is the standard format for sharing map annotations, placemarks, paths, polygons, and overlays. If someone wants to show you where something is on a map, they might send you a KML file.

KML is XML-based and stores geographic features with coordinates, styling information, descriptions, and even time-based animations. The format was originally developed by Keyhole, Inc. (which Google acquired in 2004 to create Google Earth). KMZ is the compressed version — a KML file inside a ZIP archive, often including image overlays and 3D models. Google submitted KML to the Open Geospatial Consortium as a standard in 2008.

Google Earth (free) is the natural viewer for KML files. Google Maps can import simple KML files via My Maps. QGIS (free, open-source) handles KML for serious GIS work. For converting between GPX and KML, GPS Visualizer (free, web-based) handles it instantly.

Technical details
Full Name
Keyhole Markup Language
MIME Type
application/vnd.google-earth.kml+xml
Developer
Keyhole Inc. / Google
Magic Bytes
N/A
Safety
.kml is a known, safe format.
What opens it
Google Earth
FREE All
Google Maps
FREE Web
QGIS
FREE All
FAQ
How do I open a KML file?
Google Earth (free desktop app or web version) is the primary viewer. Google Maps can import KML via My Maps (maps.google.com → My Maps → Import). QGIS (free) handles KML for GIS analysis.
What's the difference between KML and KMZ?
KMZ is a compressed (zipped) KML file, often bundled with image overlays and other resources. Rename a .kmz to .zip and extract to find the .kml inside. Google Earth opens both formats identically.
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