What is the GPX file format?
A .gpx file contains geographical data in the form of waypoints, routes, and tracks saved in an XML-based text format. .gpx files are used for exchanging GPS data between applications and web services over the network. The format was developed by TopoGrafix in 2002, and its current version, designated 1.1, was released two years later. The GPX specification is defined in the gpx.xsd schema file, publicly available at topografix.com. The .gpx file header contains file metadata - information about the given file. The main data types in GPX are:
wptType- waypoint - a point on the map described by its coordinates according to the WGS 84 standard; can also store additional data such as POI (Point of Interest), name, or description.rteType- route - an ordered set of points that defines stages of a given route, such as a turn or roundabout.trkType- track - an organized list of points which can also contain timestamps and elevations if the track was recorded during travel.
All GPX coordinates conform to the WGS 84 standard and are represented as floating-point numbers. Elevation above mean sea level uses meters as its unit, and dates use the ISO 8601 standard with UTC. Some software companies, for example Garmin, have extended the GPX format to accommodate additional information related to points - addresses, phone numbers, temperature, or water depth. Related formats include .kml (Google's keyhole markup language), .fit (Garmin's compact binary activity format), and .tcx (Training Center XML).
Security & safety
RISK: LOWGPX is plain XML with no executable content, so the file format is harmless to open. The real concern is privacy: track files contain exact coordinates and timestamps and can reveal your home address, regular routes and when you're away. Before sharing GPX files publicly, trim the start/end near your home (most apps have a privacy-zone feature) and remove timestamps if you don't want to disclose your schedule.
Format details
in a nutshellPrograms that open GPX files
Windows5 apps
EasyGPS
Free Open the GPX to view and manage waypoints/routes/tracks; transfer to Garmin/Magellan units. (By TopoGrafix, the GPX authors.) 
Garmin BaseCamp
Free File > Import to load the GPX, view/edit waypoints, routes and tracks, then send to a Garmin device. 
Google Earth Pro
Free File > Import, choose the GPX, pick to create KML features - the track appears on the globe. (Free since 2015.)
GPXSee
Open-source Open the GPX to view the track over maps with elevation/speed graphs. Free, cross-platform, made for GPX. 
macOS3 apps
Garmin BaseCamp
Free Import the GPX to view/edit and send routes to Garmin devices (macOS version available). 
Linux3 apps
Android1 app
GPS Visualizer
Free Upload the GPX to draw it on a map or convert it to KML/plain text in the browser. No install. Technical details
deep spec| MIME type | application/gpx+xml |
| File encoding | UTF-8 (required by specification) |
| File structure | Plain-text XML document; no binary sections |
| File identification | No binary signature; identified by <gpx> root element and TopoGrafix namespace URI |
| GPX 1.1 namespace | http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1 |
| Coordinate system | WGS 84 (EPSG:4326); latitude and longitude stored as decimal degrees |
| Elevation storage | <ele> element per point, value in meters above mean sea level |
| Timestamp format | ISO 8601 date-time in UTC, stored in <time> elements within track points and waypoints |
| Core data types | wptType (waypoints), rteType (routes), trkType (tracks) - each with distinct XML element sets |
| Track segmentation | Tracks divided into <trkseg> segments, each containing an ordered list of <trkpt> track points |
| Extension mechanism | <extensions> child element on any core element allows vendor-specific XML namespaces |
| Schema validation | XSD schema in gpx.xsd; <gpx> root element requires version and creator attributes |
| Released | 2002 (GPX 1.0); GPX 1.1 in 2004 |
| Open standard | Yes · royalty-free |
| Specification | www.topografix.com |
GPX conversions
Community Q&A
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