Shapefile to KML Converter
Converts the Shapefiles in a ZIP to one KML file with GDAL's ogr2ogr.
Upload a ZIP with one or more Shapefiles. GDAL writes one KML 2.2 file with one folder per Shapefile. The KML driver reprojects to WGS84, so Shapefiles in EPSG:25832 or other systems come out in longitude/latitude.
Drag a file here to convert, or select file
Accepted: .zip · max. 50 MB
What the converter does
- The ZIP may hold several Shapefiles, also in subfolders; each becomes a layer. macOS files are ignored, the text encoding is detected (.cpg, DBF header, otherwise UTF-8 or Windows-1252) and a missing .shx is rebuilt. The report lists what was found.
- GDAL's KML driver always writes longitude/latitude: data in another coordinate system (e.g. EPSG:25832) is reprojected to WGS84 automatically.
- A field called name becomes the placemark's <name>; all other attributes are written as ExtendedData (SchemaData/SimpleData).
- KML has no date type: dates are written as text such as 2024/05/01 and lists as text such as (2:bahn,fern); GDAL warns about both in the report.
- Several layers go into one KML file, one folder per layer.
- The report below the upload shows layers and features read and written, skipped layers with the reason, GDAL's warnings and the exact commands.
GDAL command the worker runs
With several Shapefiles the worker passes the folder and all layer names: ogr2ogr -f KML converted.kml shapefiles roads buildings.
Tested with
| Test file | Result |
|---|---|
| ZIP with 1 polygon in EPSG:25832 | 1 of 1 feature, coordinates reprojected to WGS84 |
| ZIP with 4 points and a date field | 4 of 4 placemarks; date as text, GDAL warning in the report |
Tested on 24 Sep 2026 with the worker code of this site and GDAL 3.10.3 (conda-forge build on Windows). The worker image runs the Debian build of the same GDAL version; the live worker was not part of these tests.
Limits
- Upload limit: 50 MB per file.
- No styles (colours, icons) are written.
- Each GDAL step may run for up to 240 seconds; a longer run is stopped with an error message.
Frequently Asked Questions
My Shapefile is in UTM. Will the KML be in the right place?
Yes, as long as the ZIP contains the .prj. GDAL's KML driver reprojects to WGS84; in the test an EPSG:25832 polygon came out in longitude/latitude. Without .prj GDAL cannot know the source system.
What happens to my file?
Your browser uploads it directly to the GDAL worker on Fly.io (region Frankfurt). The worker converts it in a temporary folder and deletes the folder after sending the result, or immediately if the conversion fails. Files are not stored permanently.