Free Tool · No Signup
KML to Shapefile Converter
To convert KML to Shapefile, upload your .kml or .kmz file and click Convert — this free kml shapefile converter instantly builds a ready-to-use Shapefile ZIP (.shp, .shx, .dbf, .prj) online, convert KML files to Shapefiles one at a time, with nothing saved on our server.
✓ 100% free
✓ KMZ supported
✓ Valid .prj included
✓ Files never stored
Home › Free Tools › KML to Shapefile Converter
KML to Shapefile, Explained
KML is the format behind Google Earth and Google Maps — easy to view, but not the format most desktop GIS software edits and analyzes data in. Shapefile, developed by Esri, is the long-standing standard vector format read by QGIS, ArcGIS, and virtually every other GIS platform. Converting KML to Shapefile moves a boundary out of "viewing" software and into real analysis software, without redrawing it.
Why This Converter
Amazing Features, Free
- One click, complete bundle. No manually zipping .shp/.shx/.dbf yourself — download one ready-to-use ZIP.
- Valid .prj every time. A correct WGS84 projection file is included automatically, avoiding the "unknown spatial reference" errors basic converters cause.
- Mixed geometry handled correctly. Points, lines, and polygons in one KML become separate, properly formed shapefile sets in the same ZIP, exactly as the Shapefile spec requires.
- KMZ support. Zipped KML files convert the same as plain .kml, no unzipping needed first.
- Instant stats, before you download. See the feature count and geometry types found, so you know the conversion worked before opening the file.
- Nothing is ever saved. Converted in memory over an encrypted connection and forgotten the moment the response is sent.
How It Works
How to Convert KML to Shapefile
- Upload your KML. Drop or choose a .kml or .kmz file — up to 5MB.
- Convert instantly. Click Convert. The KML is converted to a Shapefile in memory on our server and never saved.
- Download the ZIP. Get a ready-to-use .shp/.shx/.dbf/.prj bundle, zipped and named for immediate use in your GIS software.
Technical Details
Format Specs: KML and Shapefile
| Input: KML |
|---|
| Format | Keyhole Markup Language |
| Extensions | .kml, .kmz (zipped) |
| Geometries read | Point, LineString, Polygon, MultiGeometry |
| Reference | OGC KML Standard → |
| Output: Shapefile |
|---|
| Format | Esri Shapefile |
| Files included | .shp (geometry), .shx (index), .dbf (attributes), .prj (WGS84 projection) |
| Delivered as | One .zip, ready to unzip and open |
| Reference | Esri Shapefile Technical Description → |
Already have a shapefile and just want to see it? Use our free Shapefile Viewer — no conversion needed. Need the reverse direction instead? Try our Shapefile to KMZ converter. Have a GPS track instead? Try our GPX to KMZ converter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to convert KML to Shapefile?
Upload your .kml or .kmz file in the box above and click Convert. This kml to shapefile converter builds a complete Shapefile ZIP — .shp, .shx, .dbf, and .prj — in seconds, ready to download and open directly in QGIS, ArcGIS, or any GIS software.
What is a Shapefile?
A Shapefile is the ESRI vector data format used across almost all GIS software. It is not one file but a bundle of at least three: .shp (geometry), .shx (shape index), and .dbf (attribute data), usually shared together as a .zip. A .prj file defines the coordinate system.
Is this a free KML to Shapefile converter?
Yes — convert KML files to Shapefiles online for free, no signup, no file limit beyond 5MB, no watermark on the output.
Does it support KMZ files too?
Yes. Upload a .kmz (zipped KML) and this kml shapefile converter reads it the same way as a plain .kml file.
What happens if my KML has points, lines, and polygons mixed together?
A Shapefile can only hold one geometry type at a time, by design. If your KML mixes points, lines, and polygons, the output ZIP will contain a separate, correctly formed shapefile set for each type — nothing is dropped or merged incorrectly.
Do you store the KML files I upload?
No. Your file is converted entirely in memory on our server, over an encrypted connection, and is never written to disk, logged, or kept after the response is sent.
Will the Shapefile open correctly in QGIS or ArcGIS?
Yes. Each output includes a valid .prj file set to WGS84, the same coordinate system KML always uses, so it opens in the right place with no manual projection fixing.
Need Real Satellite Imagery for This Boundary?
Converted your boundary? Measure its area free with our Satellite Area Calculator, or get a quote now for high-resolution satellite imagery over it.
