Why convert SHP to GPX?
GPX is the standard format for GPS devices and apps such as Garmin devices, Strava, and most trail or routing apps. Route data, trail centerlines, and point locations stored in a Shapefile need to be in .gpx to load onto a GPS unit or share with GPS software.
How to convert SHP to GPX
QGIS OPEN-SOURCE
Add the .shp via Layer > Add Layer, right-click the layer, choose Export > Save Features As, set format to GPS eXchange Format, and set CRS to EPSG:4326.
Programs that convert SHP
About these formats
.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 →
.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
- GPX only supports waypoints (points) and tracks or routes (lines) - polygon features have no GPX equivalent and will be dropped or cause an error.
- GPX requires WGS 84 (EPSG:4326); if your Shapefile uses a projected CRS and you skip reprojection, GPS points land in the wrong location or the file is invalid.
- Most Shapefile attributes are not preserved in GPX, which stores very little metadata per feature.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need all Shapefile component files?
.shp, .dbf, .shx, and ideally .prj must all be in the same folder; a lone .shp will not convert correctly.
