Free online FIT to GPX converter

Many Garmin, Wahoo, and other fitness devices save activities as FIT files, while mapping, route-planning, and sharing software commonly accepts GPX. Converting the file makes its track available in GPX-compatible applications, but device-specific workout data may not survive the conversion.

What the FIT format is

FIT (Flexible and Interoperable Data Transfer) is a compact binary format designed for fitness and sports data. Devices and applications use it to store GPS positions, timestamps, speed, distance, heart rate, cadence, power, elevation, laps, sessions, workouts, and sensor records.

Garmin watches and bike computers commonly create .fit files; Wahoo, Suunto, Bryton, and training platforms may also export them. FIT files are efficient and preserve structured activity data, but they are not directly readable in many general-purpose mapping or GIS programs.

What the GPX format is

GPX (GPS Exchange Format) is an XML-based format for exchanging GPS data between applications. A GPX file can contain:

• Tracks: recorded paths made from ordered track points.
• Routes: planned paths made from route points.
• Waypoints: named or marked locations.

GPX is supported by mapping software, navigation devices, GIS applications, route planners, and many web-based services. It is preferable when the required result is the geographic path rather than the complete training record.

How to actually convert FIT to GPX

Using GPSBabel on a computer

GPSBabel is a suitable desktop converter because it can read Garmin FIT activity files and write GPX tracks.

1. Install GPSBabel from its official desktop distribution.
2. Open GPSBabel and select Input → Format → Garmin FIT Activity File.
3. Choose the source file, such as ride.fit.
4. Set Output → Format → GPX XML and choose a destination such as ride.gpx.
5. Run the conversion, then open the GPX file in the target mapping or navigation application.

The command-line equivalent is:

gpsbabel -i garmin_fit -f ride.fit -o gpx -F ride.gpx

For multiple files, run the command once for each input or use a shell loop. Keep the original FIT files because they contain data that GPX cannot represent.

Using the online converter

You can convert the file for free on the 101convert.com website without installing software. Upload the .fit file, select GPX as the output format, start the conversion, and download the resulting .gpx file. Avoid uploading activities containing sensitive location data unless the service’s storage and deletion policy is acceptable.

Quality and compatibility limitations

The conversion normally preserves the activity’s timestamped latitude, longitude, elevation, and sometimes speed or heart-rate extensions, but GPX support varies by application. GPX has no standard equivalent for the full FIT data model, so laps, training metrics, device settings, developer fields, battery data, sensor calibration, and some timestamps can be discarded.

A FIT file can contain several sessions or activity segments. Depending on the converter, these may become separate GPX tracks, one combined track, or only the primary activity. Check the output on a map and verify the start time, distance, elevation, and track count before importing it into navigation software.

GPX is XML and usually larger than FIT. If the resulting track contains excessive points, use a track-filtering or simplification option only when necessary; aggressive simplification can remove switchbacks, short detours, and accurate elevation changes. A GPX export also cannot restore data that was already absent from the original FIT file.