KML Validator
Check KML XML structure, namespaces, placemarks, and coordinate bounds online before importing into Google Earth or GIS software.
The KML Validator checks local KML for well-formed XML, the OGC KML namespace, Placemark presence, names, and WGS 84 coordinate bounds. It reports actionable errors and warnings without uploading your file.
KML source
Parsed locally. No file upload or server processing.
Validation report
Run validation to check XML, namespace, Placemark structure, and coordinate bounds.
KML Validator Technical Specifications & Standards
WGS 84 (EPSG:4326)
Standard global ellipsoidal coordinate reference system
XML Geodesics
Source coordinate text is read without reprojection.
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 Validator
Follow this step-by-step procedure to execute precise spatial measurements and export results.
- 1Paste or upload KML: Provide a .kml file or paste XML into the validator.
- 2Run checks: Inspect XML parsing, namespace, Placemark, and coordinate diagnostics.
- 3Fix and retest: Correct the reported issue and validate again before sharing the file.
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. |
Find a bad coordinate before Google Earth import
A GIS analyst receives a KML that opens blank in a map viewer.
Input Parameters
- Issue
- Latitude 137.4°
Computed Outputs
- Diagnostic
- Invalid coordinate reported with Placemark context
Step-by-Step Mathematical Process
- Load the KML locally.
- Run coordinate-range checks.
- Correct latitude to a value between −90 and 90, then retest.
Understanding Your Results & Practical Interpretation
Error versus warning
Errors indicate malformed XML or impossible geographic coordinates. Warnings flag missing names, absent Placemarks, or a non-standard namespace that may still open in some software.
Practical Applications & Real-World Use Cases
Preflight a Google Earth export
Check a KML before sending it to a client, GIS team, or web map.
Mathematical Methodology & Geodetic Accuracy
XML and KML structure validation
The browser XML parser checks well-formedness, then the validator inspects the KML namespace, Placemark elements, names, and coordinate bounds.
Valid(KML) = XML well-formed ∧ namespace ∧ coordinates ∈ [−180,180]×[−90,90]Limitations & Boundary Conditions
- •This lightweight validator does not execute NetworkLinks or fully implement every Google extension and schema rule.
Authoritative Reference Standards
Troubleshooting & Geographic Edge Cases
Why does my valid-looking file show an XML error?
Look for unescaped ampersands, missing closing tags, smart quotes, or pasted HTML inside descriptions. The browser parser reports the file as not well-formed.
Frequently Asked Questions
It checks XML well-formedness, the KML root and namespace, Placemark presence and names, and longitude/latitude bounds.