KMZ to KML Converter
Unpack a KMZ into a plain KML file, or compress a KML into a KMZ. Instant, private, and every placemark and attribute is kept.
Accepted: .kmz, .kml. Up to 20.0 MB, converted on your device.
Your file never leaves your device. Nothing is stored on any server.
A KMZ is a ZIP archive that contains a KML document and, optionally, icons and images. Some tools, scripts and older GPS software only accept plain KML, while KMZ is better for sharing. This page converts in both directions: drop a KMZ to get a KML, or switch the output to KMZ to compress a KML. Nested KMZ files that themselves link to other KML documents are unpacked too.
How to convert KMZ to KML
Drop a .kmz (or .kml) file. The converter unzips it, finds doc.kml or the first KML document, and shows the placemarks on the map.
Leave the output as KML, or pick KMZ in the output dropdown if you want to compress a KML. You can also choose which attribute is used as the placemark name.
Click Convert and download the result, named after your original file.
What is a KMZ file?
A KMZ file is a zipped KML file. Google Earth saves placemarks, paths and polygons as KMZ so that the KML document and any icons or photos it references travel together in a single compressed file. Inside the archive you will usually find a doc.kml plus an images folder.
What is a KML file?
KML (Keyhole Markup Language) is an XML format for geographic data made popular by Google Earth and Google Maps. It stores points, lines and polygons in WGS84 latitude and longitude, groups them in folders, and can carry attributes in ExtendedData elements or in HTML descriptions.
Why use this converter
Both directions
KMZ to KML and KML to KMZ on the same page, with the same parser, so the result is consistent whichever way you go.
Nested archives handled
KMZ files that contain several KML documents, or other KMZ files inside the archive, are unpacked and merged into one clean document.
Attributes are preserved
Attributes are preserved: placemark names, ExtendedData fields and even the key/value tables that Google Earth hides inside HTML descriptions are written as columns.
Nothing is uploaded
Everything runs in your browser. Your files are never uploaded, so confidential survey, cadastral or forestry data stays on your computer.
Frequently asked questions
Does converting KMZ to KML lose any attributes or folders?
No. Folders, placemark names, descriptions, ExtendedData and Schema fields are all rewritten into the KML. The output is regenerated rather than copied byte for byte, so vendor-specific styling and embedded images are not carried over, but the geographic data and attributes are complete.
What coordinate system do KML and KMZ use?
Both always use WGS84 longitude and latitude (EPSG:4326), so no reprojection is involved in this conversion. If you need a projected file, convert to shapefile instead and pick a UTM zone.
My KMZ contains several KML files. Which one is used?
The converter follows the KMZ convention: it reads doc.kml if present, otherwise the first .kml in the archive, and also reads any other .kml or .kmz entries packed inside. All placemarks are combined and their folder structure is kept.
Is this KMZ to KML converter free, and is anything uploaded?
Yes, it is free, and nothing is uploaded. Unzipping and rewriting happen in your browser, so it works even on a poor connection once the page has loaded.
Can I open the result in Google Earth, QGIS or ArcGIS?
Yes. The KML output is standard KML 2.2 and the KMZ output is a zipped KML with doc.kml inside, so both open in Google Earth, Google My Maps, QGIS and ArcGIS.
Why would I convert KML to KMZ?
KMZ is compressed, typically five to ten times smaller, and is a single file, so it is easier to send by email or messaging apps and loads faster in Google Earth on mobile.