Open KML files

  • Full name
    Google Earth Keyhole Markup Language Format
  • Developer
    N/A
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a KML file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a KML file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your KML file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is KML file?

A KML file is a keyhole markup language file and is one of the GIS (Geographic Information System) file formats. KML, like HTML, is a markup language and includes geographic information in vector form, such as points, lines, and polygons, as well as in raster form, such as aerial or satellite images. All data is stored with an XML syntax.

More info

The KML format was originally developed by the satellite image company Keyhole Corp. Developed, but this was taken over in 2004 by Google. KML has been recognized as the standard by the Open Geospatial Consortium and is the file format for Google Earth and Google Maps.

Google Earth processes KML files in much the same way as a browser processes html files. In addition to the file extension KML, the extension kmz is also used for compressed KML files. These are just a ZIP archive that contains the embedded data, such as textures and 3D models as separate files.

Some programs require the King.KML FDO Provider for KML or a special script to import the files. Newer versions often support the format natively.

Programs which can open a KML file

How to open file with KML extension?

In order to open a file with KML extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening KML file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with KML files, follow the instructions below.
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Install Google Earth or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening KML files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support KML files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of KML files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set Google Earth as the default program for opening KML files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate KML files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Google Earth applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Google Earth has been installed.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with KML files

Sometimes problems with opening KML files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • KML files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open KML files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • KML file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

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