Free online LOC to KML converter

A geocaching or GPS program may export waypoints as an LOC file while Google Earth and many mapping tools require KML. Converting the file makes the locations viewable as map placemarks and easier to share or edit.

What the LOC format is

.loc commonly refers to the XML-based geocaching waypoint format used for basic cache or location downloads. Files typically contain names, coordinates, identifiers, and limited descriptions rather than complete route or track data.

Geocaching websites, EasyGPS, and GPSBabel are common sources or applications for LOC files. The extension is not a universal standard, so a file from another GPS application may use a different LOC structure and require that application's own export function.

What the KML format is

KML, or Keyhole Markup Language, is an XML format for geographic data. It stores points as placemarks and can also contain lines, polygons, labels, descriptions, styles, and optional altitude information.

Google Earth opens KML directly, and many GIS, mapping, navigation, and CAD applications can import it. KML is preferable when the converted waypoints need to be displayed on satellite imagery, shared with other users, or edited as map features.

How to convert LOC to KML

Using GPSBabel

1. Install GPSBabel from its official desktop distribution.
2. Open GPSBabel's graphical interface and set the input format to Geocaching.com .loc or Geo, depending on the version.
3. Select the source file, such as waypoints.loc.
4. Set the output format to Google Earth KML or KML, then choose an output filename such as waypoints.kml.
5. Run the conversion and open the resulting file in Google Earth or another KML-compatible application.

GPSBabel can also perform the conversion from a command line:

gpsbabel -i geo -f waypoints.loc -o kml -F waypoints.kml

On systems where GPSBabel identifies the input format differently, select the matching geocaching LOC format in the graphical interface rather than forcing the geo option.

Using the online converter

You can convert the file for free on 101convert.com without installing software: open the LOC-to-KML converter, upload the LOC file, start the conversion, and download the generated KML file. Use the desktop method for private coordinates or files that must remain on your computer.

Quality and compatibility

Most geocaching LOC files contain point coordinates only, so the KML will contain placemarks rather than routes, tracks, or boundaries. Cache-specific data may be reduced during conversion because KML has no standard fields for every geocaching attribute.

LOC coordinates are normally converted to KML using geographic WGS 84 coordinates, the coordinate reference system expected by Google Earth. Verify several placemarks after conversion, especially if the source came from a non-geocaching GPS program.

If the KML opens without names or descriptions, inspect the original LOC file in a text editor: malformed XML, unsupported tags, or nonstandard encoding can prevent metadata from being transferred even when the coordinates convert correctly.