Why convert KMZ to GPX?
KMZ is Google Earth's format and is not read by Garmin devices, Strava, Komoot, or most outdoor navigation apps. GPX (GPS Exchange Format) is the open XML standard those tools expect for routes, tracks and waypoints. Converting lets you load Google Earth placemarks and routes directly onto a GPS device or upload them to fitness platforms.
How to convert KMZ to GPX
GPSBabel OPEN-SOURCE
In the GPSBabel GUI, set input format to KML/KMZ and browse to your .kmz, set output format to GPX XML, and click Apply.
QGIS OPEN-SOURCE
Add the .kmz as a vector layer, right-click it in the Layers panel, and choose Export > Save Features As with format set to GPX.
About these formats
.KMZ
Keyhole Markup Language Zipped (Google Earth)
A KMZ file is a ZIP-compressed Google Earth map - it holds placemarks, routes, polygons, image overlays and sometimes 3D models in one portable package. Open it with the free Google Earth…
Open .KMZ details →
.GPX
GPS Exchange Format
A GPX file stores GPS data - waypoints, tracks and routes - in plain XML. To view a route, drag it into Google Earth Pro or upload it to GPS Visualizer. To load it onto a Garmin, Wahoo or…
Open .GPX details →Quality & what to watch
- Waypoints, track lines, and route lines convert cleanly; name and description fields transfer in most tools.
- KMZ-specific styling - custom icon colors, polygon fills, ground-overlay images, and 3D model geometry - is lost; GPX holds only coordinates and text metadata.
- If a tool only accepts KML, rename
.kmzto.zip, unzip it, and feed thedoc.kmlinside to the converter.
