KML vs GeoJSON: Which Format Should You Use?
Compare KML and GeoJSON formats to choose the right geographic data format for your mapping project.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | KML | GeoJSON |
|---|---|---|
| Format | XML | JSON |
| File Size | Larger | Smaller |
| Web Support | Good | Excellent |
| Styling | Rich | Basic |
| Google Earth | Native | Requires conversion |
KML (Keyhole Markup Language)
Strengths
- Rich Styling: Built-in support for colors, icons, labels, and 3D visualization
- Google Earth Integration: Native format for Google Earth and Google Maps
- Multimedia Support: Can embed images, videos, and HTML descriptions
- Time-based Data: Supports temporal data and animations
- Network Links: Can reference external data sources
Best Use Cases
- Google Earth visualizations
- Rich, styled map presentations
- Tourism and educational content
- 3D geographic visualizations
- Data with complex styling requirements
Limitations
- Larger file sizes due to XML verbosity
- More complex to parse programmatically
- Limited web mapping library support
- Slower processing for large datasets
GeoJSON
Strengths
- Lightweight: Compact JSON format with smaller file sizes
- Web-Native: Perfect for web APIs and JavaScript applications
- Wide Support: Supported by most modern mapping libraries
- Simple Structure: Easy to read, write, and parse
- Fast Processing: Quick to load and render
Best Use Cases
- Web mapping applications
- REST APIs and web services
- Mobile applications
- Real-time data visualization
- Large dataset processing
Limitations
- Limited built-in styling options
- No native 3D support
- Requires external tools for Google Earth
- No multimedia embedding
Which Should You Choose?
Choose KML When:
- ✓ Creating Google Earth content
- ✓ Need rich styling and visualization
- ✓ Working with 3D data
- ✓ Embedding multimedia content
- ✓ Creating educational or tourism maps
Choose GeoJSON When:
- ✓ Building web applications
- ✓ Creating APIs or web services
- ✓ Need fast data processing
- ✓ Working with large datasets
- ✓ Developing mobile apps
Need to Convert Between Formats?
Easily convert your data between KML and GeoJSON formats with our free online converter.