If you have created placemarks, paths, or polygons in Google Earth Pro, you can save them as KML or KMZ files and use the data again later. This is particularly useful for mapping, field planning, sharing locations, and transferring geographic features between computers or applications.
The easiest approach is to organise your features in My Places, place related items into folders, and then use Save Place As to create the file. The supplied tutorial material follows this same workflow.
What Are KML and KMZ Files?
KML stands for Keyhole Markup Language. It is an XML-based format designed to encode geographic information for display in Earth browsers. The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) maintains the KML standard.
KMZ is a compressed ZIP-based package containing a KML document and, when required, related resources such as images. This can make KMZ convenient for sharing geographic data as a single package.
Both formats can contain geographic features such as points, lines, and polygons.
Prepare Your Data Before Saving
Before creating your KML or KMZ file, organise your work in the Places panel.
For example, you could create folders such as:
- Points
- Roads
- Polygons
- Water Features
Move related placemarks, paths, and polygons into the appropriate folders. This makes the final file easier to manage.
If you have many features, meaningful names such as Water Source 01, Road 01, or Farm Boundary are much better than leaving them with generic names.
If you also need to import KML and KMZ from external to your Divice, see our guide on How to Import KML and KMZ Files into Google Earth Pro, where it enhance share files from multiple devices.
How to Create a KML or KMZ File
Step 1: Open Google Earth Pro
Launch Google Earth Pro and make sure the features you want to save are visible under Places.
Step 2: Organise Your Features
Create a folder if necessary and drag related placemarks, paths, or polygons into it.
For example, a folder called Project Area could contain several points, roads, and polygons.
Step 3: Right-Click the Folder
Right-click the folder containing the features you want to save.
Select:
Save Place As
Google Earth Pro uses this option to save geographic features from the Places panel.
Step 4: Choose KML or KMZ
A save window will appear. Select the required file type:
- KML (.kml)
- KMZ (.kmz)
Give the file a clear name, choose where you want to store it, and click Save.
Once you have completed this process, you may also want to learn How to Digitize Points, Lines and Polygons in Google Earth Pro, if you need convert the objects in to vectors.
KML vs KMZ: Which Should You Choose?
| Feature | KML | KMZ |
|---|---|---|
| File type | XML-based geographic file | Compressed KML package |
| Extension | .kml | .kmz |
| Compression | No | Yes |
| Can contain geographic features | Yes | Yes |
| Useful for sharing | Yes | Yes |
| Can package related resources | Limited | Yes |
For a simple collection of placemarks, paths, or polygons, KML is straightforward. If you want a more compact package or need to include related resources, KMZ can be more convenient. The OGC standard specifically describes KMZ as a ZIP-based archive for KML documents and related resources.
Check Your Saved File
After saving, open the file again in Google Earth Pro to make sure the features appear correctly.
This is especially important when your file contains several folders or many different types of features.
A saved KML or KMZ file can also be transferred to another computer. Google documents KML as the file containing saved locations in Google Earth Pro, and saved location files can be backed up or moved between computers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Saving the wrong folder: Check that all required features are inside the folder before selecting Save Place As.
Using unclear names: Meaningful names make your KML/KMZ much easier to understand later.
Forgetting to save changes: Organise and style your features before creating the final file.
Confusing Google Earth Pro with Google Earth web: The desktop Pro workflow uses Save Place As, while newer Google Earth web workflows have different project and local-KML options.
Why KML and KMZ Are Useful
KML and KMZ files make it easier to share geographic information without having to recreate every point, line, or polygon.
For example, a mapping project could contain:
- Water-source locations
- Road networks
- Property boundaries
- Survey points
- Study areas
- Rivers and other mapped features
You can save these features together and reopen them when needed.
For additional information and the latest guidance, see the official Google Earth Help documentation on Import & change map data
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