KML to Shapefile Converter
Convert KML (.kml) files to Shapefile (.zip) right in your browser — free, instant and private. Drop a file below and download the result in seconds. Nothing is uploaded to a server, so your data never leaves your device.
Drag & drop your .kml file
or click to browse
How to convert KML to Shapefile
- 1
Add your KML file
Drag and drop your .kml file onto the box above, or click to browse — you can also paste the raw text directly.
- 2
Convert in your browser
GeoMaps reads the KML and rewrites it as Shapefile locally, on your device. The conversion is instant and your file is never sent anywhere.
- 3
Download your Shapefile
Click download to save the converted .zip file. That's it — no account, no watermark, no limits.
KML (Keyhole Markup Language) is an OGC standard XML format created for Google Earth and used widely across Google Maps, mobile mapping apps and GIS software. It stores placemarks, paths, polygons, styling and folder structure, which makes it ideal for sharing annotated maps with non-technical audiences. A KML file is plain text; when zipped with its assets it becomes a KMZ.
Need the other direction instead? Shapefile is esri's classic GIS format — the desktop-GIS workhorse. The Esri Shapefile is the long-standing standard format for desktop GIS (ArcGIS, QGIS). A 'shapefile' is actually a set of files — .shp (geometry), .shx (index), .dbf (attributes) and .prj (projection) — which is why it's exchanged as a single .zip. Despite its age it remains the most widely accepted format for serious geospatial analysis, so converting to or from it bridges web data and professional GIS.
Shapefiles are exchanged as a .zip bundle (.shp/.shx/.dbf/.prj). Upload the zipped shapefile, and converted output downloads as a .zip.
What is KML?
.kmlKML (Keyhole Markup Language) is an OGC standard XML format created for Google Earth and used widely across Google Maps, mobile mapping apps and GIS software. It stores placemarks, paths, polygons, styling and folder structure, which makes it ideal for sharing annotated maps with non-technical audiences. A KML file is plain text; when zipped with its assets it becomes a KMZ.
What is Shapefile?
.zipThe Esri Shapefile is the long-standing standard format for desktop GIS (ArcGIS, QGIS). A 'shapefile' is actually a set of files — .shp (geometry), .shx (index), .dbf (attributes) and .prj (projection) — which is why it's exchanged as a single .zip. Despite its age it remains the most widely accepted format for serious geospatial analysis, so converting to or from it bridges web data and professional GIS.
KML to Shapefile — FAQ
- How do I convert KML to Shapefile?
- Upload your .kml file using the converter above (drag & drop or click to browse). GeoMaps converts it to Shapefile instantly in your browser and gives you a .zip file to download. No software to install and no signup required.
- Is the KML to Shapefile converter free?
- Yes — it's completely free with no usage limits, watermarks or account needed. We offer it as a free tool from GeoMaps, the platform for turning your data into interactive maps.
- Is my data private? Are my files uploaded to a server?
- No. The conversion runs entirely in your web browser using JavaScript — your file is never uploaded to any server. Because nothing leaves your device, it's safe for sensitive or confidential data and works even offline once the page has loaded.
- Can I convert Shapefile back to KML?
- Yes. Use our Shapefile to KML converter for the reverse conversion — every format on GeoMaps converts both ways.
- Anything to know about Shapefile output?
- Shapefiles are exchanged as a .zip bundle (.shp/.shx/.dbf/.prj). Upload the zipped shapefile, and converted output downloads as a .zip.
- How large a file can I convert?
- Because conversion happens in your browser, the limit is your device's memory rather than a server quota — files up to tens of megabytes convert comfortably on a typical laptop. Very large datasets may be slower depending on your machine.