Converting GIS Data to KML for Google Earth

Google Earth is one of the most accessible and visually impressive tools for viewing spatial data. To view your GIS data in Google Earth, you must convert it into KML (Keyhole Markup Language) or KMZ (a zipped KML).

The KML Projection Requirement

Before converting any data to KML, you must understand a critical rule: Google Earth only supports the WGS84 coordinate system (EPSG:4326).

If your source data is in a local projected coordinate system (like State Plane or UTM), your conversion tool must automatically reproject the data to WGS84. If it does not, your data will appear in the wrong location or not at all.

Limitations of KML

While KML is excellent for visualization, it has limitations for data analysis:

• Limited attribute support — complex field types are often dropped.
• Styling is embedded in the file, making it hard to change.
• Not suitable for large datasets (files become massive).
• No spatial indexing.

How to Convert GIS Data to KML

You can convert your data using our free, client-side converter:

1. Go to the Converter tool.
2. Upload your source file (Shapefile ZIP, GeoJSON, or GeoPackage).
3. Select "Google Earth KML (.kml)" from the output format dropdown.
4. Click Convert. The tool will automatically reproject your data to WGS84.
5. Download the resulting KML file.

1. Open Google Earth Pro.
2. Go to File → Open and select your KML file.
3. Your data will appear in the "Temporary Places" folder.

Best Practices for KML

• Simplify complex polygons before converting. Google Earth struggles with geometries containing hundreds of thousands of vertices.
• Use KMZ instead of KML if your file exceeds 10MB to enable compression.
• Ensure your attribute data is clean, as Google Earth renders the data as HTML pop-ups.

Summary

Converting GIS data to KML is the gateway to sharing your spatial analysis with a broader audience. By understanding the WGS84 requirement and the limitations of the format, you can create visually stunning maps in Google Earth.