Opening a KAP File

The KAP file type is primarily associated with OpenCPN.

KAP	File extension: KAP
	File type:	navigational chart file

What is a KAP file?

KAP files mostly belong to OpenCPN. KAP files are specialized electronic chart files used in marine navigation. They follow the BSB nautical chart format and store scanned images of paper charts with embedded georeference data.
This geospatial information lets navigation software correctly overlay the chart on real-world coordinates.
Key purposes and functions:

BSB electronic and nautical chart display

Electronic navigational chart data storage

Map file format tailored for marine use

Files created and maintained by companies such as OpenCPN serve as the backbone for many chart plotting systems. Additional tools like BSB Chart Viewer and BSB Chart Navigator also work with these files.
For further details, see the OpenCPN website.
FilExt.com note: Few know that KAP files originated from digitized paper charts, a method that preserved legacy marine data while adapting it for modern GPS and plotting systems.

How to open a KAP file

You need a suitable software like OpenCPN to open a KAP 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 KAP file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a KAP file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online KAP File Viewer

Choose your .kap file to view this image

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

✈

Read our privacy guarantee in Filext’s terms and privacy policy

Please allow ads on our site

This helps us keep our servers running. Then re-upload your file to view it.

Click here to see how to disable the ad blocker for filext.com

How to convert a KAP file to JPG, PNG, SVG, PDF, ...

If you want to convert or edit a KAP file, you can use our free Online KAP File Converter (powered by Convert.Guru):

To do this, click the button "Choose your .kap file to view this image" on this page.
Your KAP file will then be displayed in the browser.
Now click on "Save as..." at the top of the page.
Then choose the image format (e.g. JPG, PNG, TIFF, PDF, ...) you want.
Your file will be converted and downloaded.

Programs that open and convert KAP files:

OpenCPN
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. KAP files are often referred to as OpenCPN raster images because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
MapInfo (Sea Chart) by MapInfo Corporation
The identifying characters used for this association are - Hex: 21, ASCII: !.

KAP file extension format:

To find out what program is needed to open KAP files, you need to determine the file format. The file format can be deduced from the file extension and the signature. 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. Exact knowledge of the format is therefore important in order to solve problems occurring in files. Our analysis of the KAP files produces the following result:

The KAP file extension is not common and mainly uses a defined KAP format. The two most common formats are as follows:

80% of all KAP files are MapInfo Sea Chart files. The content consists of illegible binary data, which can only be read and interpreted by the associated programs. Most of these files are 730 KB to 6 MB in size. The following keywords are characteristic: By using this chart you acknowledge that you have read, understood, CRR/This electronic chart was produced under the authority of USA-NOAA/NOS, and accepted the terms and conditions stated and VER/3.07.
15% of all KAP files start with the magic bytes VER/2.0 BSB/NA=, which are always the first bytes of this file format. They consist of illegible, cryptic characters. The files are on average 8 MB in size and range from 760 KB to 18 MB. The keywords MERCATOR, VER/2.0, WGS84, PP=0,PI=UNKNOWN,SP=UNKNOWN,SK=0.0, UN=METERS,SD=LAT,DX=000,DY=000, BSB/NA=Pilot North, CED/SE=,RE=12,ED=, Pacific, BSB/NA=Pilot Chart, Mediterranean and NU=,RA=1979,991,DU=72 are typical for these files.

All other KAP files (5%) have no consistent format. If you want to find out which format your KAP file belongs to, just click on the button "Choose your .kap file to view this image".

Technical Data for KAP File Extension

File classification:

Raster Image

Identifier:

Hex: 21, ASCII: ! (provided by TrID database)

Related files:

kap, 000, bsb, s57, kml, bsb, webp, zip, png, map, bsp, cap, tab, tin, wor, img

Mime type:

application/octet-stream

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: XnView.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\XnView\xnview.exe %1

a kap navigational chart file is a special file format and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with KAP files

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