Free online GPX to GPI converter

Garmin devices and navigation software use GPI files for custom points of interest, while many mapping applications export waypoints as GPX. Converting the data is useful when you need to load saved locations, alerts, or categories onto a Garmin device.

What the GPX format is

GPX, or GPS Exchange Format, is an XML-based format for exchanging GPS data between applications and devices. A GPX file can contain waypoints, routes, and tracks, with fields such as coordinates, names, descriptions, elevation, and timestamps.

Garmin BaseCamp, Garmin Explore, QGIS, Gaia GPS, Google Earth, handheld GPS receivers, and many route-planning applications can create or export GPX files. You usually encounter GPX when downloading a planned route, backing up GPS data, or sharing locations between mapping programs.

What the GPI format is

GPI is Garmin's binary database format for custom points of interest. It stores locations such as speed cameras, fuel stations, campsites, businesses, trailheads, and other user-defined places, often with names, categories, icons, and proximity alerts.

GPI is intended for Garmin navigation devices and compatible Garmin software rather than general-purpose editing. It is compact and device-oriented, but it is less transparent than GPX: you normally edit the source GPX, CSV, or spreadsheet and generate a new GPI file instead of modifying the binary file directly.

How to actually convert GPX to GPI

Using 101convert.com

1. Open the GPX-to-GPI converter on 101convert.com.
2. Upload the source .gpx file.
3. Choose GPI as the output format and start the conversion.
4. Download the resulting .gpi file and copy it to the Garmin device's Garmin/POI folder if the device documentation specifies that location.

This option requires no installed conversion software and is available free on the 101convert.com website. Check the generated file on the target device before deleting the original GPX.

Using Garmin POI Loader

1. Open the GPX in a mapping application and confirm that the locations are saved as waypoints. Garmin POI Loader does not turn a continuous track into a useful POI database.
2. Place the GPX file in its own folder. Organize separate folders when you want Garmin to create distinct POI categories.
3. Install and open Garmin POI Loader, select the connected Garmin device or a local output folder, and choose Manual mode when you need to configure distance-based alerts.
4. Select the folder containing the GPX file and follow the prompts. POI Loader creates a GPI database, commonly named poi.gpi.
5. If you selected a local folder, copy the generated file to Garmin/POI on the device or its memory card, then safely disconnect the device.

Garmin POI Loader is preferable when you need Garmin-specific categories, icons, or proximity alerts. It can also use supported CSV input when the source data needs more control over names, categories, and alert distances.

Using GPSBabel from the command line

GPSBabel can write Garmin POI files when the installed build includes the Garmin GPI format:

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

To check availability, run gpsbabel -^ or inspect the installed format list for garmin_gpi. If the format is unavailable, use Garmin POI Loader instead. GPSBabel is most suitable for repeatable batch conversions; device-specific alert and icon behavior can vary by Garmin model.

Quality and compatibility limitations

• Only GPX waypoints map naturally to GPI points of interest. Tracks and routes contain lines or sequences of points, not individually named POIs; convert selected track points to waypoints first.
• Latitude, longitude, waypoint name, description, and category are the fields most likely to survive. GPX timestamps, track segments, route instructions, and detailed elevation data generally have no equivalent in a GPI POI record.
• Back up the original GPX and existing Garmin POI files. Regenerating a database can replace an earlier poi.gpi file.
• Use supported image dimensions and formats when adding icons. Unsupported icons, excessively long names, duplicate coordinates, and very large POI collections can be ignored or displayed inconsistently.
• GPI compatibility depends on the Garmin model and firmware. Test a small file first, confirm that the category appears, and verify that any proximity alert behaves as intended.