Free online JPG to KML converter

Source format: JPG, JPEG

JPG (or JPEG) is a common raster image format used for photos and other compressed images. It stores pixel data, but it does not store map coordinates unless the file also contains EXIF geotags or is being used in a georeferencing workflow.

Target format: KML

KML (Keyhole Markup Language) is an XML-based format used to describe geographic content for applications such as Google Earth and GIS software. KML can contain placemarks, paths, polygons, and ground overlays that place an image on a map.

What jpg to kml conversion really means

You usually cannot directly convert a JPG into a KML file the way you would convert one image format to another. Instead, the KML file stores location data and may reference the JPG as an overlay or attach coordinates derived from the image metadata.

If the JPG was taken with a GPS-enabled camera or phone, it may already contain geotag information. If it does not, you must manually assign the correct coordinates or georeference the image before exporting to KML or KMZ.

How to create a kml file from a jpg

1. Check the JPG metadata. Look for EXIF location data if the image came from a device with GPS support.
2. Choose the right workflow. For a simple image overlay, Google Earth Pro is often the easiest desktop option. For more advanced georeferencing, QGIS can also be used.
3. Add the image as an overlay. In Google Earth Pro, open Add → Image Overlay, select the JPG, and position it on the map.
4. Adjust the overlay. Set the correct location, scale, rotation, and transparency so the image matches the map.
5. Save the geographic data. Use File → Save → Save Place As or right-click the overlay in the Places panel and choose Save Place As. Google Earth Pro commonly saves overlays as KMZ, which is a compressed package that can include the JPG and the KML metadata.
6. Use KML or KMZ as needed. If you need a plain KML file, export it when the software allows it. If you get a KMZ file instead, you can unzip it to access the KML and any linked image files.

You can also convert the file on 101convert.com for free without installing any software.

Important limitations

JPG to KML is not a direct format conversion. The JPG remains an image, while the KML describes where that image belongs on a map. The result depends on how accurately the image is georeferenced.

If the JPG has no geotags, the process is manual and requires known coordinates or map bounds. For scanned maps, aerial photos, or other images that need precise placement, georeferencing is usually required before export.

KMZ is often the better output because it can bundle the JPG with the geographic data in one file. KML is still useful when you need a plain XML file or compatibility with software that expects KML specifically.

Compatibility is best with Google Earth and GIS tools that support image overlays. Some viewers may not display transparency, rotation, or other overlay settings exactly the same way.