A GPX file stores location data — the latitude, longitude, and elevation of a place or a path — in a format that most mapping apps can read

GPX stands for GPS Exchange Format. It is a plain-text file that holds geographic information: coordinates, waypoints, routes, and tracks. Think of it as a container that says "here is where something is" or "here is the path someone took." Because it is a standard format, not locked to one company's software, you can open a GPX file in Google Maps, Apple Maps, Garmin devices, hiking apps, or dozens of other programs.

The file itself is small and portable. You can email it, text it, or store it on a USB drive. When you open it in a mapping app, the app reads those coordinates and shows you the location or route on a map. A GPX file does not contain images, street names, or turn-by-turn directions — just the raw location data and whatever notes you attached to it.

Key Takeaways

  • A GPX file is a text-based format that stores GPS coordinates, routes, and waypoints so they can be shared between different mapping apps and devices.
  • You can create a GPX file by recording a hike or drive with a GPS device or smartphone app, then export it as GPX.
  • GPX files are small, portable, and work across platforms — you can open the same file in Google Maps, a Garmin watch, or a hiking app without conversion.
  • Common reasons to use GPX files include sharing a hiking route with friends, backing up a recorded trip, or loading a pre-planned route onto a GPS device before you leave.

How GPX files are created

Most GPX files come from GPS devices or smartphone apps that record your movement. When you go for a hike with a GPS watch, a smartphone app like AllTrails or Strava, or a dedicated Garmin device, the app logs your location every few seconds. At the end, you can export that recorded path as a GPX file.

You can also create a GPX file by hand using a mapping website. Google My Maps, for example, lets you draw a route on a map and then read it as a GPX file. Some websites that host hiking routes — like Komoot or TrainingPeaks — let you read their routes as GPX files so you can load them onto your own device.

Why someone would use a GPX file

The main reason is to move location data between devices or apps. If you recorded a bike ride on your phone using one app, but you want to analyze it in a different app, you export it as GPX and import it into the new app. The data stays the same; only the container changes.

Hikers and runners often read GPX files of popular trails before they go out. You load the file onto a GPS watch or phone, and the device shows you the exact path to follow — useful when there are no clear markers or when you are in an area with no cell signal. Outdoor enthusiasts also share GPX files with friends: "Here is the 10-mile loop I did last weekend" is easier to share and follow than written directions.

Backup is another reason. If you record a meaningful trip — a long hike, a cross-country drive, a significant bike ride — you can save the GPX file so you have a permanent record of where you went and how long it took. Some people keep libraries of GPX files from past adventures.

What information is inside a GPX file

At minimum, a GPX file contains latitude and longitude coordinates. Most also include elevation data and a timestamp for each point, so you can see not just where you were but when you were there and how high up you were.

You can add metadata — a name for the route, a description, notes about difficulty or water sources, or tags. Some apps let you mark specific waypoints: "rest stop here" or "trail junction" or "scenic viewpoint." All of this stays inside the GPX file and travels with it when you share it or move it to another app.

What a GPX file does not contain: street names, turn-by-turn directions, images, or real-time traffic data. It is pure location information. The mapping app you open it in provides the map background, the labels, and any routing instructions.

How to open and use a GPX file

On a smartphone, the simplest method is to tap or double-click the GPX file. Your phone will ask which app you want to use — Google Maps, Apple Maps, a hiking app, or another mapping program you have installed. Choose one, and the app opens and displays the route or waypoints.

On a computer, you can open a GPX file in a web-based tool like GPXStudio or Garmin BaseCamp, or in desktop software like QGIS if you need detailed analysis. You can also drag and drop a GPX file into Google My Maps to view and edit it.

If you have a GPS device — a running watch, a cycling computer, or a handheld Garmin — you usually connect the device to a computer, copy the GPX file into a specific folder on the device, and then the device reads it. The exact steps depend on the device, but the principle is the same: the device recognizes the GPX format and loads the route.

GPX versus other location file formats

GPX is the most common open standard, which is why it works across so many platforms. But other formats exist. KML (Keyhole Markup Language) is used by Google Earth and some mapping tools. TCX (Training Center XML) is Garmin's format for fitness data and includes heart rate and cadence information. FIT is another Garmin format, more compressed and used by newer devices.

For most people, GPX is the safest choice because it is supported almost everywhere. If you read a route from a website and it offers multiple formats, GPX is usually the most portable option. If you are working with a specific device — a Garmin watch, for example — that device may prefer its native format, but it will usually accept GPX as well.

Privacy and security with GPX files

A GPX file is just data, but that data is location information. If you share a GPX file of your regular running route, someone could theoretically use it to know where you are at certain times. If you share a file of your home address and your workplace, it reveals your commute pattern.

Before you share a GPX file publicly — on a forum, a social media group, or a website — consider whether the route reveals anything you would rather keep private. You can edit a GPX file to remove the start and end points, or to blur sensitive areas, before sharing. Most mapping apps have options to do this.

If you are downloading a GPX file from the internet, it is safe to open — it is just text data, not executable code. But as always, read from sources you trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit a GPX file after I create it?

Yes. You can open a GPX file in Google My Maps, GPXStudio, or other mapping tools and add or remove waypoints, change the route, or add notes. When you save, you export it as a new GPX file. Some smartphone apps also let you edit GPX files, though the options are usually more limited than on a computer.

What if an app does not recognize my GPX file?

First, make sure the file actually ends in .gpx — sometimes files get saved with the wrong extension. If it does, try opening it with a different app. If the file is very old or was created by unusual software, it may not follow the standard GPX format perfectly. A tool like GPXStudio can often repair or convert it.

Do I need internet to use a GPX file on my phone?

Not necessarily. The GPX file itself contains the coordinates, so the app can display the route without downloading anything. However, to see the map background (the actual streets and terrain), most apps need to read map tiles, which requires internet or a pre-downloaded offline map. The route itself will show even without internet, but you may see a blank background.

Can I convert a GPX file to a different format?

Yes. Tools like GPXStudio, CloudConvert, and Garmin BaseCamp can convert GPX to KML, TCX, or other formats. You upload the GPX file, choose the output format, and read the converted file. The conversion is usually lossless — you keep all the location data.

Is it safe to share a GPX file with someone else?

It depends on what the file contains. If it is a popular hiking trail with no personal information, it is fine to share. If it includes your home address, your workplace, or your regular running route, consider editing it first to remove sensitive start and end points. A GPX file is just data, but that data can reveal patterns about your life.