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SHP KML
File conversion

Convert SHP to KML

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

In QGIS, right-click the loaded layer, choose Export > Save Features As, and select Keyhole Markup Language (KML). Set the output CRS to EPSG:4326 - KML requires WGS 84 coordinates. The resulting .kml opens directly in Google Earth.

Also to KML: SSF · LOC · KLM

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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Why convert SHP to KML?

.kml is the format Google Earth and Google Maps import natively, making it the standard way to visualize GIS data without a dedicated GIS application. KML is also a single self-contained file, which is easier to share than the multi-file Shapefile bundle.

How to convert SHP to KML

QGIS OPEN-SOURCE

Add the .shp via Layer > Add Layer > Add Vector Layer, right-click the layer, choose Export > Save Features As, set format to Keyhole Markup Language (KML), and set CRS to EPSG:4326.

ogr2ogr OPEN-SOURCE

Run ogr2ogr -f KML out.kml in.shp in a terminal, adding -t_srs EPSG:4326 if the Shapefile is not already in WGS 84. ogr2ogr ships with QGIS on Windows.

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 →
.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 →

Quality & what to watch

  • The Shapefile must have all companion files present - .shx and .dbf are mandatory, and .prj is critical for correct coordinate assignment in the output KML.
  • Skipping reprojection to EPSG:4326 when the Shapefile uses a projected CRS produces a KML that places features in the wrong location in Google Earth.
  • Shapefile attributes transfer to KML as ExtendedData elements, visible in Google Earth's feature info popup.

Frequently asked questions

Does the converted KML open in Google Earth?
Yes - KML is the native format for Google Earth; after export, double-click the .kml or drag it into the Google Earth window.
What is the difference between KML and KMZ?
KMZ is a ZIP-compressed KML; Google Earth reads both, and you can zip a .kml and rename it .kmz for a smaller file size.
Do I need all Shapefile component files?
Yes - the .shp, .shx, .dbf, and .prj must all be in the same folder; missing any will cause the conversion to fail or produce incorrect output.