What Is .gpx

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Last updated: April 10, 2026

Quick Answer: GPX (GPS Exchange Format) is an open-source XML-based file format created in 2004 that stores GPS location data, including waypoints, tracks, and routes in latitude/longitude coordinates. It is the universal standard supported by over 500 applications and 100+ hardware manufacturers for exchanging GPS data between different devices and platforms.

Key Facts

GPX was released in 2004 as a free, open-source standard based on XML, making it platform-independent and human-readable by any text editor
A single GPX file can contain waypoints (named locations), tracks (recorded paths with timestamps), routes (planned journeys), and metadata including elevation data and author information
Major GPS manufacturers including Garmin, Magellan, and DJI, plus 500+ applications like Google Earth, Apple Maps, and Strava, natively support GPX files
Over 500 million outdoor enthusiasts annually use GPX files for hiking, cycling, boating, and geocaching activities across the world
GPX stores three-dimensional coordinates with latitude, longitude, elevation in meters, and ISO 8601 timestamps, allowing precise route reconstruction and speed calculations

Overview

GPX, which stands for GPS Exchange Format, is an open-source XML-based file format designed specifically for storing and exchanging GPS (Global Positioning System) data between different devices and applications. Developed in 2004 by TopoGrafix, GPX has become the industry standard for GPS data interchange, supported by virtually every modern GPS device, smartphone app, and mapping software available today. The format is openly documented and freely available, meaning any developer can create applications that read and write GPX files without licensing fees or restrictions.

The primary purpose of GPX is to solve the problem of GPS data portability—allowing users to record their location information on one device or application and seamlessly transfer it to another. Whether you're a hiker recording a trail on your Garmin watch, a cyclist tracking a route on your smartphone using Strava, or a boat captain mapping a sailing course, GPX provides a universal language that all these different systems understand. This universal compatibility makes GPX the most important format in recreational GPS usage worldwide.

How It Works

GPX files function by encoding geographic information in a structured, human-readable XML format. Here's how the system operates:

XML Structure: GPX files are plain text files with a .gpx extension that organize GPS data using XML tags, making them readable in any text editor and easily parseable by any programming language or application.
Coordinate System: All locations are stored as latitude and longitude coordinates in decimal degrees format, with optional elevation data measured in meters above sea level and timestamps recorded in ISO 8601 format for precise temporal tracking.
Waypoints: Individual named points of interest can be recorded, each containing a coordinate pair, optional elevation, name, description, and other metadata to mark significant locations along a journey or trail.
Tracks: A sequence of trackpoints creates a complete recording of a path or route taken, with timestamps on each point that preserve the exact order and timing of movement, enabling speed and distance calculations.
Routes: Unlike tracks that record actual movement, routes represent planned paths between waypoints, making them useful for navigation planning and sharing recommended trails with other outdoor enthusiasts.
Metadata: GPX files can include author information, copyright details, file creation dates, geographical bounds, and hyperlinks to external resources or related web content.

Key Comparisons

Format	File Type	Primary Use	Key Advantage
GPX	XML-based text	GPS data exchange, hiking trails, cycling routes	Universal compatibility, open standard, completely free and human-readable
KML	XML-based text	Google Earth mapping, 3D visualization, presentations	Superior 3D visualization, styled markers, polygon and image overlay support
TCX	XML-based text	Fitness tracking, sport activities, training logs	Sport-specific metrics like heart rate, cadence, and training zones
FIT	Binary format	Garmin devices, advanced fitness applications	Smaller file size, faster processing speed, proprietary athletic metrics

Why It Matters

Universal Compatibility: Over 500 applications and 100+ hardware manufacturers support GPX format, making it the global standard for outdoor GPS activities including hiking, cycling, running, boating, kayaking, and geocaching.
Data Preservation: GPX's open-source nature ensures that your GPS data remains accessible and usable indefinitely, even if an application company shuts down, changes ownership, or discontinues support for proprietary formats.
Community Sharing: Thousands of websites and platforms host GPX files where outdoor enthusiasts share their favorite trails, routes, and adventures, creating a vast global community resource of mappable GPS data.
Cross-Platform Workflow: Athletes and explorers can record activities on one device, process data on a computer, analyze results in specialized software, and share achievements across different platforms and ecosystems seamlessly.

The ubiquity of GPX in outdoor recreation and fitness tracking demonstrates its crucial role in the modern GPS ecosystem. Its simplicity, transparency, and universal adoption have made GPX the standard that defines how millions of people record, share, and celebrate their outdoor adventures every single day.