KML & KMZ File Viewer Online

Quick answer: Open a KML or KMZ file online to preview placemarks, paths, and polygons on an interactive map without installing Google Earth or desktop GIS.

Prepare your file and check the result

Before opening

Choose Open File or drag in a KML or KMZ containing placemark geometry. Open KMZ directly without unzipping. Linked resources, overlays and styling may not appear exactly as they do in Google Earth.

Before sharing or converting

Check placemark locations, names and paths. Keep the original if you need tours, linked content or application-specific styling.

Download a small KML example Download the same locations as KMZ

Open this example in the tool above. Expect three synthetic points near London: West point, East point and North point. Coordinates span −0.13 to −0.12 longitude and 51.50 to 51.51 latitude. These are demonstration locations, not survey data.

Convert KML features to GeoJSON →

How to open KML / KMZ online

Open KML and KMZ files from Google Earth online. Choose Open File or drag in a .kml or .kmz file to inspect placemarks, paths, and polygons without Google Earth. No unzipping is required for KMZ.

Privacy

Files are processed on your device in the browser. GeoDataViewer does not upload your datasets to a server for viewing.

Common issues

A KMZ must contain a KML document with geometry. Network links, image overlays, tours, and 3D models may not appear as they do in Google Earth. Keep the original package for those presentation features.

Related tools

Measure distances, areas, elevation, and radius circles using the tools menu, then come back to inspect your KML / KMZ layer on the map.

What is KML / KMZ?

KML (Keyhole Markup Language) is an XML format for geographic placemarks, paths, polygons, and presentation information. KMZ is a ZIP package containing a KML document and sometimes images or other assets. Open either file directly in the viewer to inspect its geographic features without installing Google Earth.

KML is designed to describe geographic content in a way that map viewers and Earth-browser tools can display with labels, styles, folders, and presentation-oriented behavior.

It is excellent for visual review and lightweight sharing, but many analytical GIS teams convert it when they need simpler feature storage, database workflows, or richer bulk editing support.

What is KML / KMZ used for?

Sharing map content with Google Earth-style viewers and other presentation-focused tools.
Publishing lightweight overlays with labels, folders, and basic styling for visual review.
Moving hand-authored placemarks, paths, and simple thematic layers between consumer and GIS environments.

Common use cases

Stakeholder review packages that are easier to open in Earth-browser software than in full GIS tools.
Field reference overlays, placemark collections, and visual storytelling layers.
Converting from GIS project data into a presentation-oriented deliverable for non-specialist users.

Strengths

Good fit for Earth-browser viewing and presentation-style map review.
Supports a familiar XML structure for placemarks, folders, and simple styling.
Easy way to deliver map overlays to non-GIS audiences.

Limitations

KML is less efficient than modern binary or database-backed formats for large production datasets.
XML structure is more verbose than plain JSON or binary exchange files.
It is better for presentation than for heavy analytical editing or database-style workflows.
A feature preview may not reproduce Google Earth tours, network links, image overlays, or 3D models; retain the original KML or KMZ for those uses.

File extensions and sidecar files

.kml

Main XML file containing placemarks, paths, polygons, folders, and styling information.

.kmz

Zipped KML package often used in the broader KML ecosystem to bundle linked assets and compress delivery.

Convert KML online

KML to GeoJSON

Open, preview, and convert KML locally in your browser.

KML to GeoPackage

Open, preview, and convert KML locally in your browser.

KML to ESRI Shapefile

Open, preview, and convert KML locally in your browser.

KML to CSV

Open, preview, and convert KML locally in your browser.

KML to AutoCAD DXF

Open, preview, and convert KML locally in your browser.

KML to FlatGeobuf

Open, preview, and convert KML locally in your browser.

KML to File Geodatabase

Open, preview, and convert KML locally in your browser.

KML to GeoRSS

Open, preview, and convert KML locally in your browser.

KML to GML

Open, preview, and convert KML locally in your browser.

KML to GPX

Open, preview, and convert KML locally in your browser.

KML to JSON-FG

Open, preview, and convert KML locally in your browser.

KML to MapInfo

Open, preview, and convert KML locally in your browser.

KML to MBTiles

Open, preview, and convert KML locally in your browser.

KML to Mapbox Vector Tiles

Open, preview, and convert KML locally in your browser.

KML to PMTiles

Open, preview, and convert KML locally in your browser.

KML to SpatiaLite / SQLite

Open, preview, and convert KML locally in your browser.

KML to Microsoft Excel

Open, preview, and convert KML locally in your browser.

How to open a KMZ file without Google Earth

Choose Open File in the viewer above, or drag in your .kmz file. The viewer reads the KML geometry inside the archive on your device and displays its placemarks, paths, and polygons on the map. You do not need to unzip a normal KMZ first.

✓ KML is an XML document; KMZ is a ZIP package containing a KML document and sometimes supporting assets.
✓ Check a known placemark and inspect its properties before exporting the layer.
✓ Use the downloadable KML and KMZ workflow examples to compare the same three point locations.

Use Google Earth when you need the original tours, network links, overlays, or 3D presentation. This viewer focuses on inspecting geographic features rather than reproducing every Earth-browser feature.

KML / KMZ Viewer FAQ

When is KML the best choice?

KML is strongest when the goal is visual review or sharing overlays in Earth-browser tools instead of building a heavy analytical dataset.

Why do analysts often convert KML after receiving it?

They usually need a format that is easier to inspect as raw features, join to other data, or store in a database-style container.

Is KML good for large operational datasets?

It can work, but more compact or database-backed formats are usually better once scale, automation, or frequent editing matters.

Can I view a KMZ file online without Google Earth?

Yes. Drag the .kmz file into the viewer or choose Open File. GeoDataViewer reads the embedded KML and displays its geographic features locally in your browser, with no account or file upload required.

Do I need to unzip a KMZ file before opening it?

No. Open the KMZ directly. If it contains only linked resources or unsupported presentation content, try exporting the actual placemark geometry as KML from the source application.

What is the difference between KML and KMZ?

KML stores geographic content as XML text. KMZ packages KML in a ZIP archive and may include images or other resources. The geometry can be the same, but the browser preview may not reproduce all bundled presentation assets.