Shapefile to KMZ Converter
Convert Shapefile (.zip) files to KMZ (.kmz) 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 .zip file
or click to browse
How to convert Shapefile to KMZ
- 1
Add your Shapefile file
Drag and drop your .zip file onto the box above, or click to browse.
- 2
Convert in your browser
GeoMaps reads the Shapefile and rewrites it as KMZ locally, on your device. The conversion is instant and your file is never sent anywhere.
- 3
Download your KMZ
Click download to save the converted .kmz file. That's it — no account, no watermark, no limits.
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.
Need the other direction instead? KMZ is a zipped, self-contained KML — the Google Earth delivery format. KMZ is simply a KML file (plus any referenced icons or overlays) compressed into a single ZIP archive with a .kmz extension. It's the format Google Earth produces when you save a place, because bundling everything into one compact file makes maps easy to email and share. Under the hood it's still KML, so a KMZ converts cleanly to and from every other geographic format.
Shapefiles are exchanged as a .zip bundle (.shp/.shx/.dbf/.prj). Upload the zipped shapefile, and converted output downloads as a .zip.
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.
What is KMZ?
.kmzKMZ is simply a KML file (plus any referenced icons or overlays) compressed into a single ZIP archive with a .kmz extension. It's the format Google Earth produces when you save a place, because bundling everything into one compact file makes maps easy to email and share. Under the hood it's still KML, so a KMZ converts cleanly to and from every other geographic format.
Shapefile to KMZ — FAQ
- How do I convert Shapefile to KMZ?
- Upload your .zip file using the converter above (drag & drop or click to browse). GeoMaps converts it to KMZ instantly in your browser and gives you a .kmz file to download. No software to install and no signup required.
- Is the Shapefile to KMZ 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 KMZ back to Shapefile?
- Yes. Use our KMZ to Shapefile converter for the reverse conversion — every format on GeoMaps converts both ways.
- Anything to know about Shapefile input?
- 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.