KML to CSV Converter
Convert KML placemarks to a spreadsheet-ready CSV with coordinates, geometry types, descriptions, and attributes in your browser.
The KML to CSV Converter reads KML placemarks in your browser and exports one CSV row per point, line, or polygon. It preserves names, geometry type, first coordinates, descriptions, and the complete coordinate string without uploading your file.
KML to CSV Technical Specifications & Standards
WGS 84 (EPSG:4326) as supplied by standard KML
Standard global ellipsoidal coordinate reference system
KML Geodesics
Coordinate text is preserved from the source KML; no reprojection is performed.
GeoJSON · KML · CSV · SVG
Compatible with QGIS, ArcGIS, Google Earth & CAD
100% Client-Side
Calculations run in-browser. Zero coordinate logging.
How to Use the KML to CSV Converter
Follow this step-by-step procedure to execute precise spatial measurements and export results.
- 1Upload or paste KML: Choose a .kml file or paste KML XML into the editor. Files are parsed locally in browser memory.
- 2Review placemarks: The converter identifies Point, LineString, and Polygon placemarks and prepares one table row for each feature.
- 3Download CSV: Download a spreadsheet-ready CSV with quoted values, coordinates, descriptions, and geometry type.
Geodesic Precision vs. Competitor Mapping Approaches
Most legacy mapping utilities (such as CalcMaps and FreeMapTools) rely on planar Web Mercator projections or spherical approximations, causing significant mathematical distortion at higher latitudes. GeoMap Suite computes exact ellipsoidal geodesics on the WGS84 reference ellipsoid.
| Calculation Model | Mathematical Basis | Distortion on WGS84 | Standard Tools | Practical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planar (Web Mercator) | Cartesian dx² + dy² | 10% to 200%+ error | CalcMaps / Simple map tools | Distorts drastically away from equator. Inaccurate for true distance. |
| Spherical Great-Circle | Haversine (R = 6,371 km) | Up to 0.5% (~5 km/1,000 km) | Basic Google Maps wrappers | Ignores Earth's polar flattening. Reasonable for rough estimates. |
| GeoMap Suite Ellipsoidal | Karney Direct/Inverse WGS84 | < 15 nanometers (<0.0001%) | GeoMap Suite | Geodetic surveying, maritime, flight paths & legal boundary analysis. |
Exporting Google Earth placemarks for a spreadsheet
A field team needs to review 120 Google Earth inspection points in Excel.
Input Parameters
- Input
- inspection-sites.kml
- Features
- 120 Placemarks
Computed Outputs
- Rows
- 120 CSV rows
- Columns
- name, geometry_type, longitude, latitude, altitude, description, coordinates
Step-by-Step Mathematical Process
- Parse the KML Placemark elements locally.
- Extract name, geometry type, coordinates, description, and ExtendedData values.
- Download a UTF-8 CSV for Excel, Google Sheets, or pandas.
Understanding Your Results & Practical Interpretation
Why the full coordinates column matters
Points expose longitude and latitude for spreadsheet filtering. Lines and polygons may contain many vertices, so the complete coordinate sequence is retained in one CSV cell rather than silently reducing the shape to a single point.
Practical Applications & Real-World Use Cases
Google Earth to Excel
Turn placemark inventories into a sortable spreadsheet for field operations, asset audits, or reporting.
KML attribute extraction
Flatten descriptions and coordinate records before importing them into a data workflow.
Mathematical Methodology & Geodetic Accuracy
KML Placemark to CSV tabular extraction
Each supported Placemark becomes one quoted CSV record. The first coordinate is exposed in separate longitude, latitude, and altitude columns while the full coordinate sequence remains available in the coordinates column.
Placemark[] → CSV(name, geometry_type, lon, lat, altitude, description, coordinates)Limitations & Boundary Conditions
- •CSV cannot preserve KML styles, folders, network links, 3D models, or polygon topology as richly as KML.
- •Dynamic NetworkLink content is not fetched from remote servers.
Authoritative Reference Standards
Troubleshooting & Geographic Edge Cases
Why is my CSV missing a remote layer?
KML NetworkLinks that depend on a server are intentionally not fetched. Download the referenced KML first, then convert the local file.
Frequently Asked Questions
The CSV workflow is designed for KML XML. Extract the main KML document from a KMZ archive first, or use the KML Viewer to inspect supported KMZ files before exporting.