GIS

SHP → KML

Convert your Shapefile (SHP) datasets into KML format quickly and accurately. This tool is essential for GIS professionals and map enthusiasts who need to move vector data from desktop software to Google Earth.

The SHP format is a proprietary vector data structure used primarily in professional GIS software like ArcGIS or QGIS, consisting of multiple component files (.shp, .shx, .dbf). In contrast, KML is an XML-based schema designed specifically for displaying geographic data in Google Earth and Google Maps. Converting from SHP to KML translates these complex vector geometries and attribute tables into a single, lightweight XML structure that is natively readable by web-based mapping platforms.

The conversion process is lossless, meaning your geographic coordinates, vector paths, and metadata remain perfectly intact during the transition.

Tips

Ensure your SHP file is in the WGS84 coordinate system before converting to avoid projection errors in Google Earth.
Keep the associated .dbf and .shx files in the same folder if you are uploading a zipped Shapefile bundle.
Simplify complex polygons before conversion if the resulting KML file feels sluggish in web browsers.

Common use cases

Importing cadastral boundaries or land plots into Google Earth for site visualization.
Sharing geospatial vector layers with clients who do not have professional GIS software installed.
Creating custom overlays for mobile field navigation apps that support KML imports.

Why ConvertX stays free — forever

We built this project so anyone can convert files without paywalls, accounts, or hidden limits. Here is what that promise means in practice.

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Free tools today — and always

Every converter on ConvertX is free to use: no trials, no premium tiers, and no credit packs. We will never put core conversion features behind a subscription. Whether you convert one photo or a hundred files a week, the price stays zero.

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Privacy-first processing

Many image, audio, and video conversions run entirely in your browser. Your files never leave your device for those jobs. When server processing is required for documents or specialized formats, uploads are handled securely and removed automatically — typically within one hour.

File formats: what to choose

A quick guide to strengths and trade-offs of popular formats — so you pick the right one before converting.

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GIS & maps

Geographic and spatial data layers.

Common extensions: GeoJSON, KML, SHP, GPX, GPKG

Advantages

+ GeoJSON is native to web maps
+ KML works with Google Earth
+ Shapefiles are common in GIS workflows

Disadvantages

− SHP needs multiple sidecar files
− Coordinate systems must match the target
− Large datasets need simplification

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Images

Raster and vector graphics for web, print, and photography.

Common extensions: PNG, JPG, WebP, AVIF, GIF, SVG, HEIC, TIFF

Advantages

+ WebP and AVIF offer excellent compression for the web
+ PNG keeps transparency and sharp edges
+ SVG scales without quality loss

Disadvantages

− RAW and TIFF files are large and slow to share
− JPEG loses quality on every re-save
− Some formats are not supported in older browsers

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Documents

Office files, PDFs, ebooks, and plain text.

Common extensions: PDF, DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, ODT, EPUB, TXT

Advantages

+ PDF locks layout for printing and sharing
+ DOCX and ODT are easy to edit collaboratively
+ Plain text works on any device

Disadvantages

− PDF is hard to edit without special tools
− Complex layouts may shift after conversion
− Scanned PDFs need OCR for editable text

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Video

Clips, streams, screen recordings, and movies.

Common extensions: MP4, WebM, MOV, MKV, AVI, MPEG

Advantages

+ MP4 (H.264/H.265) plays almost everywhere
+ WebM is efficient for web embedding
+ MKV can hold multiple audio and subtitle tracks

Disadvantages

− High-resolution video needs lots of storage and bandwidth
− Re-encoding always takes time and may reduce quality
− Some codecs require licensing for commercial use

Frequently asked questions

No, our tool maps the attributes from your SHP database file directly into the KML ExtendedData tags, ensuring all metadata is preserved.

The file size changes only marginally; KML is an XML format, which might be slightly larger than the binary SHP structure, but the difference is negligible for most datasets.

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