Free online LOC to GPX converter

What the LOC format is

LOC is a geocaching waypoint format, commonly downloaded from Geocaching.com and used by older GPS software and handheld devices. It is typically an XML-based file containing waypoint coordinates, names, descriptions, and links; depending on its source, it may contain only basic cache information.

LOC files are most often encountered as downloads with the .loc extension. They are less suitable than GPX for detailed cache data because they generally do not include complete logs, travel-bug information, attributes, or all available cache metadata.

What the GPX format is

GPX, or GPS Exchange Format, is an XML standard for exchanging GPS data between mapping applications, navigation devices, fitness software, and geocaching tools. It can store waypoints, tracks, routes, elevations, timestamps, and descriptive fields.

GPX is preferable when the destination program does not support LOC, when you need to load coordinates onto a modern GPS device, or when you want to edit and archive the data in a broadly supported format. A converted LOC file will contain only the information present in the source; converting it cannot recreate missing cache details.

How to actually convert LOC to GPX

For a one-off conversion, use the converter on 101convert.com:

1. Open the LOC-to-GPX conversion page on 101convert.com.
2. Select or upload the .loc file.
3. Choose GPX as the output format and start the conversion.
4. Download the resulting .gpx file, then open it in the target mapping or GPS application.

The conversion can be performed free of charge without installing software. Check the downloaded file in the destination application before deleting the original LOC file.

For repeat conversions or local processing, GPSBabel can read Geocaching.com LOC files and write GPX files. With GPSBabel installed, run:

gpsbabel -i geo -f input.loc -o gpx -F output.gpx

Here, input.loc is the source file and output.gpx is the generated file. The GPSBabel input format is called geo, not loc. You can also use the graphical interface to select Input → Geocaching.com loc, add the file, select Output → GPX XML, and choose the destination filename.

Quality and compatibility considerations

After conversion, verify the waypoint count, names, coordinates, and coordinate format in the destination program. LOC files normally contain waypoints rather than recorded tracks or navigable routes, so the resulting GPX will usually contain <wpt> elements only.

Coordinate precision is normally adequate for geocaching, but a destination device may display coordinates using a different datum or position format. Configure the device to use WGS 84 and the same latitude/longitude notation used by the source.

If the GPX fails to import, confirm that the file is actually XML GPX rather than an HTML error page renamed with a .gpx extension. Also check whether the receiving application requires a particular GPX version or accepts only waypoints, routes, or tracks.