All about GPX Files

The GPX file type is primarily associated with Garmin Connect.

GPX	File extension: GPX
	File type:	data file

What is a GPX file?

GPX files mostly belong to Garmin Connect. GPX files store GPS data in an XML structure that devices and software use to exchange location information.
They primarily hold tracks, routes, and waypoints for navigation and mapping. This format is open and defined by Topografix (schema reference), and many applications like Garmin Connect or the Garmin Desktop App create and use these files.

Data is often encoded in XML or UTF-8.

Conversion tools such as GPSBabel help switch between formats.

FilExt.com note: A less common use sees GPX files serving as Guitar Pro files for music tablature, with details provided by Guitar Pro.

How to open a GPX file

You need a suitable software like Garmin Connect to open a GPX file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your GPX file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a GPX file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online GPX Text Viewer

Choose your .gpx file to view

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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How to extract texts from GPX files or capture a screenshot to PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...

You can extract texts from GPX file or capture a preview screenshot using our online GPX file viewer:

To do so, click the "Choose your .gpx file to view" button above.
After your file is opened in browser,
click "Save as..." in the menu.
Then choose the file format (e.g. JPG, PDF, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
Your file will be converted and downloaded.

Programs that open and convert GPX files:

Garmin Connect
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. GPX files are often referred to as Garmin Connect gis because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
BASIS File
Garmin (GPS eXchange Data Format) by Garmin Ltd.
GPX (the GPS Exchange Format) is a light-weight XML data format for the interchange of GPS data (waypoints, routes, and tracks) between applications and Web services on the Internet The identifying characters used for this association are - Hex: 3C 3F 78 6D 6C 20 76 65 72 73 69 6F 6E 3D 22 31 2E 30 22 20, ASCII: <?xml version="1.0" .
GPS eXchange Format by TopoGrafix
GPX (the GPS eXchange Format) is a data format for exchanging GPS data between programs, and for sharing GPS data with other users. The identifying characters used for this association are - Hex: 3C 3F 78 6D 6C 20 76 65 72 73 69 6F 6E 3D 22 31 2E 30 22 20, ASCII: <?xml version="1.0" . This file format is classified as XML. Related links: EasyGPS, GPX 1.1 Schema Documentation
GraphX (Document) by FlexSoft
LINKS DO NOT WORK AS OF TIME OF POSTING. The product release is expected to be around April/May 2004. Primary site is Dutch. The Mime types used with this association are: application/graphx.

GPX file format details:

If you can determine the file format, the associated program can also be determined. The file format can be determined based on the file extension and the signature (the first few characters of a file). However, different programs can use the same file extension. Furthermore, a file extension can be renamed incorrectly and double-clicking on it will then display an error when it is opened. So you need a detailed analysis of a file to find out the format and the associated program. Our examination of the GPX files comes to the following conclusion:

GPX is one of the most common file extensions and mainly uses a special format. The two most common formats are as follows:

75% of all GPX files are GPS eXchange format files, which are based on the XML file format. The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a simple text-based format for representing structured information: documents, webpages, data, configuration, books, transactions, invoices, and much more. XML defines a set of rules for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable. The contents of these files can even be read by a human. The average file size is 70 KB with most files being between 3 KB and 710 KB in size. The file type is old but is used even today. Certain words are almost always found in the files, such as http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1, xmlns, creator, http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance, gpx xmlns, xsi, <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>, schemaLocation and standalone. A common filename is pix.gpx. These files can be linked to route, track, waypoints, activity, current, ride, export and data.
15% of all GPX files are Guitar Pro 6 tablature files. The contents of these files cannot be read by a human; only a computer program can interpret the data. The average file size is 36 KB with most files being between 15 KB and 82 KB in size. The files contain the following words: BCFZ. An example of a file name is file20180601.gpx. Files like these have the following tags: music and guitar.

All other GPX files (10%) have different formats, frequently e.g. XML and GXP. Often described as base, tour, afternoon, course, trail or loop. Drag & drop your file here to see the file format and a preview of your GPX file!

Technical Data for GPX File Extension

File classification:

GIS

Identifier:

Hex: 3C 3F 78 6D 6C 20 76 65 72 73 69 6F 6E 3D 22 31 2E 30 22 20, ASCII: <?xml version="1.0" (provided by TrID database)

Related files:

tcx, kml, kmz, fit, nmea, gp5, gxp, gtx, pgx, gp, gfx, tcx, qpx, grx, jpx, gsx, gpz, gmx, gwx, gps, dpx, gpp, gpf, gtp

Related links:

EasyGPS, GPX 1.1 Schema Documentation

Mime type:

text/xml, application/gpx+xml

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: GPX.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\EasyGPS\EasyGPS.exe %1

ProgramID: EasyGPS.GPX.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\EasyGPS\EasyGPS.exe

a gpx data file is a special file format and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with GPX files

Associate the GPX file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open data files. Because only the current version supports the latest GPX file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the manufacturer website after an available Garmin Connect update.
To make sure that your GPX file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .GPX file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.