Add lines & shapes drawings on your map with KML files import (2024)

Table of Contents

How does it work? Get your GPX or KML file Import the file File types supported

With Mapme you can draw lines and shapes on your map using our powerful drawing tools.

However, there are use cases where manually drawing on the map is not practical. For example, drawing a detailed route between 2 cities would be both very time-consuming and difficult, or drawing the borders for a country or state.

Therefore, Mapme lets you add to your map drawings of lines and shapes by importing GPX or KML files.

Once you have imported the drawings, you can edit them using the Mapme drawing tools.

You can also apply styles to the lines and shapes such as line width, color, transparency, and more…

How does it work?

Get your GPX or KML file

You first need to get a GPX or KML file.

There is a 1MB limit on the size of the KML and GPX files you can import. We recommend keeping the KML or GPX files as small as possible, especially if you are planning to edit the drawings in Mapme. There are many utilities available to simplify and optimize GPX and KML files. For example, you can leverage online tools like Mapshaper to simplify the geometry and significantly decrease your file size.

KML files

The KML format is the export default format for Google Maps applications, for example, you can export KML from Google Earth.

You can also generate KML files by converting other GIS formats to KML. For example, you can convert Shapefiles (.shp) to the KML format.

If you would like to highlight a country, state, or region on your map, we created an extensive library of KML files.

GPX files

GPX is a geographic file format typically used to save track and route information.

You can generate GPX files from online navigation apps. For example, you can use Maps to GPX based on Google maps directions or from AllTrails Apps for outdoor activities.

Import the file

Import the file by selecting it on your computer using the import interface. Keep in mind that the import will replace any drawings you might already have for that location.