Free online GPI to KML converter

What the GPI format is

GPI is Garmin’s compiled point-of-interest format. Garmin POI Loader creates GPI files from source data such as GPX, CSV, or spreadsheet files, and Garmin navigation devices read them as custom POIs.

A GPI file can contain coordinates, names, categories, proximity or speed alerts, custom icons, and sometimes spoken alert data. You may encounter it in Garmin device storage, downloaded custom-POI packages, and backups of navigation data. It is a compiled format rather than a convenient editing format, so the original GPX or CSV source is preferable when available.

What the KML format is

KML is an XML-based geographic format supported by Google Earth, Google My Maps import workflows, QGIS, ArcGIS, and many mapping utilities. It stores placemarks, coordinates, names, descriptions, folders, paths, polygons, styles, and map links.

KML is useful when you need to inspect or edit Garmin locations on a desktop map, share them with users who do not have Garmin hardware, or preserve them in a broadly supported geographic format. A KML file can also be compressed as .kmz for smaller distribution.

How to actually convert GPI to KML

Using 101convert online

1. Open the GPI to KML converter on 101convert.com.
2. Upload the .gpi file.
3. Choose KML as the output format and start the conversion.
4. Download the resulting .kml file, then open it in Google Earth, QGIS, or another KML-compatible application.

This option requires no software installation. Do not upload files containing sensitive routes or locations unless the service’s handling policy is acceptable for your data.

Using GPSBabel on a computer

GPSBabel is the usual desktop utility for reading Garmin POI databases and writing KML. Install a current GPSBabel release, open a terminal in the directory containing the file, and run:

gpsbabel -i garmin_gpi -f input.gpi -o kml -F output.kml

Replace input.gpi with the source filename and output.kml with the desired output path. The converted file can then be opened in Google Earth or imported into a GIS application.

In the graphical interface, select the Garmin GPI input format, browse to the source file, select KML as the output format, choose an output filename, and start the conversion. The exact menu labels vary by operating system and GPSBabel release.

Quality and compatibility limits

The conversion normally preserves point coordinates and basic names, descriptions, and categories. Garmin-specific features such as speed-camera alerts, proximity behavior, voice prompts, device settings, and some custom icons do not have direct KML equivalents and may be discarded or represented only as ordinary placemark data.

A GPI file may contain several categories or thousands of POIs; check the resulting folders and placemarks after conversion. If GPSBabel rejects the file, the GPI may use an unsupported Garmin variant, be damaged, or contain protected data. Re-exporting the original GPX or CSV source to KML usually produces better results than decoding the compiled GPI.