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KML SHP
File conversion

Convert KML to SHP

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jul 29, 2026
QUICK ANSWER
Is it possible to convert KML to SHP?
Yes - KML converts to SHP.

In QGIS, load the .kml as a vector layer, right-click and choose Export > Save Features As, set format to ESRI Shapefile, and click OK. KML styling is dropped, and if your KML mixes geometry types, each type becomes a separate shapefile.

Also to SHP: TAB · MIF · GML

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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Why convert KML to SHP?

ESRI Shapefile is the standard vector format in professional GIS workflows, accepted by ArcGIS, MapInfo, QGIS, and most web GIS platforms. KML works well for visualization in Google Earth but is not suited for spatial analysis, attribute editing, or data exchange in a GIS pipeline.

How to convert KML to SHP

QGIS FREE

Load the .kml via Layer > Add Layer > Add Vector Layer, right-click the layer in the Layers panel and choose Export > Save Features As, set Format to ESRI Shapefile, and click OK.

ogr2ogr OPEN-SOURCE

Run ogr2ogr -f "ESRI Shapefile" output_folder/ input.kml; ogr2ogr writes a separate shapefile for each geometry type found in the KML.

About these formats

.KML Keyhole Markup Language

A KML file stores map data - pins, routes, polygons, image overlays - in plain XML format. The easiest way to open one is Google Earth (free desktop app or earth.google.com in a browser) or…

Open .KML details →
.SHP Esri Shapefile (geospatial vector data)

A .shp file is almost always an Esri Shapefile - geospatial vector data (points, lines, polygons) used by GIS software. It is one piece of a set: it needs its sibling files (.shx, .dbf, and…

Open .SHP details →

Quality & what to watch

  • Shapefile is a multi-file format producing at least four files (.shp, .shx, .dbf, .prj); keep them together - a shapefile missing its .dbf or .prj will partially or fully fail to open in other tools.
  • KML styling (colors, icons, line widths, labels) is dropped entirely; re-apply symbology in your GIS application after import.
  • Shapefile stores only one geometry type per file; if your KML mixes points, lines, and polygons, QGIS and ogr2ogr create a separate shapefile for each geometry type.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my KML produce multiple shapefiles?
Shapefile can hold only one geometry type per file; if your KML contains mixed geometry, each type is exported to a separate shapefile.
Does KML styling carry over to the shapefile?
No - shapefile has no equivalent for KML color, icon, line-width, or label styling; you need to re-apply symbology in your GIS application after import.
What coordinate system does the output shapefile use?
KML always uses WGS 84 (EPSG:4326), and QGIS and ogr2ogr preserve that by default; change the CRS in the export dialog if your target system requires a different projection.