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Convert DXF to GML Online — Free GIS Converter

Convert AutoCAD DXF drawings to GML for OGC-compliant data submission, EU INSPIRE compliance, and WFS services — assign CRS and convert in your browser.

Updated May 2026

Government data submissions, EU INSPIRE compliance, and OGC Web Feature Services often require GML — convert your .dxf engineering or survey drawing to a standards-compliant .gml file with geodata.plus.

Why convert DXF to GML?

Many national mapping agencies, land registries, and infrastructure regulators in Europe and beyond mandate GML as the submission format for spatial data. The EU INSPIRE Directive, for example, specifies GML-based data models for themes ranging from cadastral parcels to transport networks. Engineering firms that produce deliverables in DXF for CAD workflows often need to produce a parallel GML submission for regulatory purposes.

GML also carries full CRS metadata in a machine-readable form, making it the preferred format for interoperability between spatial data infrastructures and OGC-compliant web services. Converting DXF to GML bridges the gap between the CAD world and the standards-based GIS world.

Why use geodata.plus

  • Free tier — convert up to 3 files per month at no cost, no credit card required
  • Automatic CRS detection — reads coordinate hints from the DXF header and lets you assign the correct source EPSG before conversion
  • Optional reprojection — reproject to any target EPSG code required by the receiving system (e.g., ETRS89 for INSPIRE)
  • Browser-based — no QGIS, GDAL, or dedicated GML tooling needed; works on any modern browser
  • Encrypted transfer — all uploads use TLS; files are stored temporarily in Cloudflare R2 and automatically deleted on schedule
  • Auto-deleted output — output files are automatically deleted after 2 days (free tier) and 7 days (Pro); no manual cleanup needed

How it works

  1. Upload your DXF file (.dxf) using the widget above
  2. geodata.plus parses the DXF layer and entity structure
  3. Select GML as the output format; assign the source CRS and optionally reproject to the target EPSG required by your submission
  4. Download your .gml file ready for regulatory submission or WFS ingestion

DXF format

DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) is Autodesk's open CAD interchange format. It organizes geometry into named layers of entities — lines, polylines, arcs, circles, and polygon hatches. DXF carries no native CRS metadata; coordinates are in whatever space the CAD operator configured. It is the primary exchange format between CAD tools and the starting point for many engineering-to-GIS workflows.

| Property | Value | |---|---| | Extension | .dxf | | Type | Vector, single file | | Coordinate system | None native — local/project coordinates assumed | | Geometry types | Points, Lines, Polylines, Arcs, Circles, Polygons (hatches) | | Common software | AutoCAD, Civil 3D, MicroStation, BricsCAD, surveying tools |

GML format

GML (Geography Markup Language) is an XML grammar defined by the OGC for expressing geographical features. It supports the full range of geometry types, complex feature schemas, CRS metadata encoded as EPSG URNs, and topological relationships. GML is verbose but unambiguous — it is the backbone of INSPIRE data exchange, WFS services, and many national spatial data infrastructures. ArcGIS, QGIS, and GDAL all support GML natively.

| Property | Value | |---|---| | Extension | .gml | | Type | Vector, single file (XML) | | Coordinate system | Any CRS (EPSG URN encoded in the file) | | Geometry types | Point, LineString, Polygon, MultiGeometry, Curve, Surface | | Common software | ArcGIS, QGIS, GDAL, government portals, EU INSPIRE, WFS services |

Frequently asked questions

Which GML version does geodata.plus output?

geodata.plus outputs GML 3.2.1, which is the version required by the EU INSPIRE Directive and the most widely supported version in OGC-compliant software. GML 2 output is also available on request for legacy systems.

My DXF uses local survey coordinates — how do I specify the CRS for the GML output?

During conversion, you will be prompted to enter the EPSG code for your source CRS. If you know the national grid (e.g., EPSG:27700 for British National Grid or EPSG:25832 for UTM Zone 32N/ETRS89), enter it there. geodata.plus will write that CRS into the GML srsName attribute and optionally reproject to your required target CRS.

Will the DXF layer structure be reflected in the GML feature schema?

Yes. Each DXF layer is output as a separate GML feature type named after the layer. Entities within each layer become individual <featureMember> elements with the layer name, entity type, and any extractable attributes encoded as GML properties.

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