The KML vs KMZ question trips up almost everyone new to Google Earth. However, the answer is simple. So this guide explains KML vs KMZ, and shows when to use each.
Here is the short answer. KML is a plain text file. KMZ is a zipped KML. So the KML vs KMZ difference is compression, not content. Both hold the same map data.
Each format has a job. KML is easy to read and edit. KMZ is smaller and easy to email. So Google Earth exports KMZ by default.
KML stands for Keyhole Markup Language. It is XML, so it is plain text. As a result, you can open it in any editor. Also, you can hand-edit names and coordinates.
Choose KML when you want to edit the file. For example, when you tweak styles or fix a typo. So developers and analysts often prefer it.
KMZ is a ZIP archive. Inside sits a KML, usually named doc.kml. It can also bundle icons and images. So everything travels in one small file.
Choose KMZ when you want to share. For example, when you email a finished map. So the recipient gets one tidy file. Also, custom icons stay attached.
Use a simple rule. Pick KML to edit. Pick KMZ to send. So for a working file, KML is handy. For a final file, KMZ is neater.
Switching is easy. For example, KML to KMZ to shrink and share. Or KMZ to KML to edit. You can also send either to Shapefile or GeoJSON for GIS. Read more at the OGC KML standard. In short, the KML vs KMZ choice is just edit versus send.
KML is a plain XML text file. KMZ is that same KML compressed into a ZIP archive, which can also bundle icons and images. They hold the same map data, but KMZ is smaller and easier to share.
Use KML when you want to read or edit the file in a text editor. Use KMZ when you want to email or share a finished map as one small, self-contained file. Google Earth exports KMZ by default.
A KMZ is a ZIP, so you can rename it to .zip and extract the doc.kml inside, or use a KMZ-to-KML converter. A browser-based tool unzips and converts locally, without uploading the file.
Yes. Google Earth opens both formats directly, on desktop and on the web. KMZ is preferred for sharing because it is smaller and keeps custom icons attached.
Yes. Convert either format to a shapefile or GeoJSON for GIS. A good converter also lifts the popup and ExtendedData attributes into proper columns during the conversion.
