Free online IGC to GPX converter

Many flight-planning, mapping, and GPS applications accept GPX but not IGC, so glider or paraglider flight logs often need conversion before they can be edited, shared, or imported. GPX also works with a wider range of navigation software and devices.

What the IGC format is

IGC is the flight-recorder format defined by the International Gliding Commission for gliding, hang gliding, and paragliding logs. It stores timestamped fixes, coordinates, altitude, and recorder or flight metadata in a line-based structure; signed IGC files can also contain security records used for competition verification.

IGC files commonly come from dedicated recorders and instruments such as LXNAV, Flytec, Naviter, and other certified flight computers. Programs including SeeYou, Condor, XCSoar, and manufacturer utilities can open or create them. The files usually have the .igc extension and are encountered when downloading a flight from an instrument or retrieving a competition log.

What the GPX format is

GPX is an XML-based exchange format for GPS data. A converted flight normally becomes a GPX track containing <trkpt> elements with latitude, longitude, time, and, when available, elevation.

GPX is supported by mapping and route-planning applications, GIS tools, GPS devices, and services such as Google Earth-compatible workflows. It is preferable when you need to inspect the path on a map, edit track points, combine the flight with other GPS data, or transfer it to software that does not read IGC.

How to convert IGC to GPX

Using 101convert.com

1. Open the IGC-to-GPX converter on 101convert.com.
2. Upload the .igc file or select it with the file picker.
3. Choose GPX as the output format if it is not selected automatically.
4. Start the conversion, then download the resulting .gpx file.
5. Open the GPX in the destination application and verify the track location, timestamps, and elevation.

This option runs in a web browser and does not require software installation.

Using GPSBabel on a computer

GPSBabel can convert many GPS log formats from the command line. With an IGC file named flight.igc, run:

gpsbabel -i igc -f flight.igc -o gpx -F flight.gpx

The input file follows -f, and -F specifies the output filename. If the source contains multiple flights, inspect the generated GPX and split or filter tracks in a GPX editor when necessary.

Quality and compatibility limits

Conversion changes the container format, not the underlying recording. Missing GPS fixes, coarse recording intervals, and errors already present in the IGC file remain in the GPX output.

IGC can distinguish barometric altitude and GPS altitude, while GPX applications may display only one elevation field. The converter must choose how to map those values, so check the altitude profile before using it for analysis.

IGC security signatures, declaration records, competition-specific metadata, and some event records generally do not survive as standard GPX track data. Keep the original IGC file for official validation or later analysis. GPX files may also be larger than compact IGC logs because XML repeats field names for each point.