mapverter

KML to SHP Converter

Convert KML to Shapefile without uploading. Folders become attributes, mixed geometries split into separate files, and field names fit the 10-byte limit.

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Drag your map file here

SHP (zip, or .shp with .shx, .dbf, .prj), KML, KMZ, GeoJSON, GPX, CSV

Free · one dataset at a time · up to 20 MB

Converting several datasets at once?

From Google Earth to a Shapefile

KML always stores WGS 84 longitude and latitude, so the Shapefile starts in WGS 84 as well. If your GIS project works in projected coordinates, pick Web Mercator (EPSG:3857) as the target, or open a coordinate system page such as EPSG:5186, which presets its system as the target. The coordinates are converted and the .prj file in the ZIP describes the system you use.

Each output layer is a set of .shp, .shx, .dbf, .prj and .cpg files. Keep them together in one folder when you open them in QGIS, ArcGIS or another GIS application.

What changes on the way

  • Folder names are kept in a folder attribute. Nested folders are joined with a slash, for example Survey/Block A.
  • A Shapefile holds one geometry type, so when the KML mixes points, lines and polygons they go into separate files such as places_point.shp and places_line.shp. A MultiGeometry that mixes types is split the same way.
  • DBF field names are limited to 10 bytes, so description becomes descriptio. Every renamed field is listed in field_names.csv inside the ZIP.
  • Text values longer than 254 bytes are cut, and placemarks without coordinates are left out. The conversion report gives the counts.
  • KML colors, line widths and altitudes are not stored. Altitude is only mentioned in the report when a placemark had a height other than zero.

Text encoding

Attributes are written as UTF-8, and the .cpg file says so. If the Shapefile is going to Korean software that expects CP949, choose CP949 instead. Characters that CP949 cannot represent become "?" and the report counts them.

Frequently asked questions

Are my KML files uploaded?
No. Reading the KML, converting coordinates and building the ZIP all happen in your browser. The file contents are never sent to a server.
Can I keep the KML colors in SHP?
No. A Shapefile has no place for styles, so colors, line widths and icons are dropped, and the report says how many placemarks lost styling. Convert to KMZ or GeoJSON if you need to keep them.
Why does the ZIP contain more than one Shapefile?
Each Shapefile holds a single geometry type. When your KML mixes points, lines and polygons, mapverter writes one Shapefile per type and puts them all in the same ZIP.
Why is my description field called descriptio?
DBF field names can be at most 10 bytes long, and description has 11 letters. The shortened name and the original are listed in field_names.csv, so you can rename the field later.
Can I get projected coordinates instead of longitude and latitude?
Yes. The target list offers Web Mercator (EPSG:3857), and coordinate system pages such as EPSG:5186 open the converter with their system already selected as the target. The coordinates are converted and a matching .prj file is added to the ZIP.