How to open a .gpx file
GPS Exchange Format · Geographic data
A .gpx file holds a GPS track, route or set of waypoints as XML. Any text editor shows the coordinates, and free tools plot it on a map without installing anything.
What a .gpx file actually is
GPX is the open standard for GPS data, produced by watches, bike computers, phone apps and handheld units. It records a series of points with latitude, longitude, elevation and a timestamp.
Because it is XML, the raw data is readable, which is genuinely useful when you want to check a single coordinate rather than see a map.
Why it will not open
Nothing is associated with .gpx unless you installed mapping software. The file is fine and the data is fully readable in a text editor.
Step by step
Windows
- 01To see it on a map with nothing installed, use a free online GPX viewer, or import it into Google My Maps.
- 02For serious use, install QGIS, which is free and treats GPX as a proper GIS layer.
- 03Garmin, Strava, Komoot and most fitness platforms import GPX directly.
- 04To read the raw coordinates, open it in VS Code or Notepad. Each trackpoint is one readable line.
macOS
- 01The same web tools work in any browser.
- 02QGIS has a macOS build for anything more involved.
What usually goes wrong
A GPX is a movement log
A track from a run or ride usually starts and ends at your home, with exact timestamps. Before uploading one to a public platform, check whether it offers a privacy zone, and think twice about posting the raw file on a forum.
Programs that open .gpx
Our pick, in order. Every one links to the publisher's official download URL and the SHA-256 hash of the installer, so you can check the file before you run it.
Common questions
- How do I view a GPX file on a map?
- Import it into Google My Maps or use a free online GPX viewer, neither of which needs anything installed. QGIS handles it as a GIS layer for more serious work.
- What is the difference between GPX and KML?
- GPX is built for GPS data: tracks, routes and waypoints with timestamps and elevation. KML is built for map presentation, with styling, icons and overlays. Both are XML and both are readable in a text editor.