Geographical information systems and related software use geospatial information files with the extensions KML and KMZ. The attributes and other details about a location on a map are recorded using them.

KML

The Keyhole Markup Language is known as KML. Keyhole Inc. created it for their Keyhole Earth Viewer. Basic KML files are XML documents with specialized notation for expressing geographic data, such as comments and visualizations in online 2D and 3D geographic models.

Google purchased Keyhole Inc. in 2004, and KML support was added to Google products, including Google Earth and Google Maps. In 2008, the Open Geospatial Consortium approved KML as a global standard.

Geospatial data is stored in KML files. KML files transmit details about characteristics like location markers, pictures, polygons, 3D models, and textual descriptions to the pertinent applications. These landmarks are always shown on maps with a specific coordinate, frequently a longitude and latitude pair. Additionally, these files are used to save user interactions with map features for subsequent usage.

KMZ

The KMZ files are a compressed version of the KML files. A KML file is a standalone text file, but a KMZ file links to the data that a KML file refers to. These pictures and other information might be contained in distinct files within the compressed file. By applying compression and changing the file extension, a straightforward KML file can be converted into a KMZ file. kmz.

KMZ is supported by Google products and is therefore compatible with most GIS software.

Difference Between KML to KMZ  (KML vs KMZ)

• Different Keyhole Markup Language files are designated by the file extensions KML and KMZ. KML is a type of geospatial information file.

• The properties of a map or model are stored using the tag-based XML language known as KML. Graphical components, photos, and settings are all included in each KML file.

• KMZ is the file that is the compressed version of the KML file 

• KML files can be opened with a text editor because they are just plain text files. Images and other information pointing to the KMZ file may also be archived. The KMZ archive allows for the storage of these files in different directories.

• While other software may support KML but not KMZ, both file types are compatible with Google applications like Google Maps, and Google Earth. Geo Measure, and KML Converter

Where can I view KML files?

You may see KML files from earlier versions of Google Earth in Google Earth for web browsers and other third party apps such as KML Converter, this can be also give an accurate result as Google Earth and Google Maps has. 

Check out the below steps to view a KML files

1. Download KML Converter for Android and iPhone

2. Import your KML file from Dropbox or else in your google drive.

3. In this step, many of your KML file and here you choose any one KML file to view

4. Click on view adn you done

5. Now you can click on “share” and your work is done.

Read the blog to learn more about KML files, their extensions, how to import and export them, KMZ files, and other topics.

There is another app called Geo Measure Area Calculator that can open a KML file, import/export a KML file, among other things. Check it out Now.

How do I convert a KMZ file to KML?

1) Import your KML file from Dropbox or else in your google drive.

2) In this step, many of your KML file and here you choose any one KML file

3) When you choose your file here you can see your instant preview of how it looks.

4) To convert the file choose your format KML to KMZ, GPX, Geojson, Topojson, CSV, KML choose any one format.

5) Now click on share and your work is done.