GPX (GPS Exchange Format)
GPX is an XML-based format for storing GPS data — waypoints, tracks, and routes. It is the universal format for sharing running, cycling, hiking, and driving routes between GPS devices, fitness apps, and mapping software.
MIME Type
application/gpx+xml
Type
Text
Compression
Lossless
Advantages
- + Universal GPS data exchange format
- + Human-readable XML — easy to inspect and edit
- + Supported by Garmin, Strava, Komoot, Google Earth, and more
- + Extensions support heart rate, cadence, power, and temperature
Disadvantages
- − Verbose XML — large files for long tracks with many points
- − No standard for all sensor data — extensions vary by vendor
- − Not suitable for real-time streaming
When to Use .GPX
Use GPX for exporting and sharing GPS tracks, running routes, cycling courses, and hiking trails between apps and devices.
Technical Details
GPX files are XML with three main elements: waypoints (wpt), tracks (trk with trkpt), and routes (rte with rtept). Each point contains latitude, longitude, and optionally elevation, time, heart rate, and cadence extensions.
History
TopoGrafix created GPX in 2002 as a common GPS data format. It quickly became the standard for exchanging routes between Garmin devices, Strava, Komoot, and other fitness and mapping platforms.