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Convert DXF to GeoPackage Online — Free GIS Converter

Convert AutoCAD DXF files to GeoPackage (.gpkg) in your browser — preserve multiple layers in a single SQLite file with proper CRS and attribute tables.

Updated May 2026

GeoPackage is the modern, open-standard replacement for Shapefile and the best single-file container for complex DXF drawings — convert your .dxf file to .gpkg and keep all layers intact in one portable database with geodata.plus.

Why convert DXF to GeoPackage?

DXF drawings often contain dozens of named layers — utilities, boundaries, contours, structures — that would each become a separate Shapefile in a traditional GIS conversion. GeoPackage solves this by storing multiple feature layers in a single SQLite file, making it the ideal target when you want to preserve the full layer structure of a complex CAD drawing as a portable GIS dataset.

GeoPackage is the OGC-recommended format for offline and mobile GIS, and it is natively supported in QGIS, ArcGIS Pro, and a growing range of mobile field data tools. If you are building a GIS dataset from engineering drawings for long-term use, GeoPackage is a better investment than Shapefile.

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 before download
  • Browser-based — no QGIS, GDAL, or AutoCAD install 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 all DXF layers and entity types and groups them into feature collections
  3. Select GeoPackage as the output format; assign the source CRS and optionally choose a target EPSG
  4. Download your .gpkg file containing all layers as separate tables in a single SQLite database

DXF format

DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) is Autodesk's open CAD interchange format, in use since 1982. It organizes geometry into named layers of entities — lines, polylines, arcs, circles, and hatched polygons. DXF files carry no coordinate reference system metadata by default; the CRS is implied by the project setup in the originating CAD application. Attribute data, if any, is stored as block attributes or XDATA rather than in a structured table.

| 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 |

GeoPackage format

GeoPackage is an OGC open standard built on SQLite, designed to replace the aging Shapefile as the standard vector exchange format. A single .gpkg file can hold multiple feature layers, each with its own geometry type and CRS, along with raster tiles and attribute-only tables. It has no field name length limit (unlike Shapefile's 10-character limit), supports full UTF-8 text, and handles files well over 2 GB.

| Property | Value | |---|---| | Extension | .gpkg | | Type | Vector, single file (SQLite database) | | Coordinate system | Any CRS (per layer) | | Geometry types | Point, LineString, Polygon, MultiPoint, MultiLineString, MultiPolygon, GeometryCollection | | Common software | QGIS, ArcGIS Pro, GDAL, mobile GIS, offline workflows |

Frequently asked questions

How are DXF layers mapped to GeoPackage tables?

Each unique DXF layer name becomes a separate feature table in the GeoPackage. Within each table, features are further split by geometry type if a layer contains mixed entities (e.g., both points and lines), with _point and _line table name suffixes applied automatically.

Does GeoPackage preserve the full DXF attribute data including block attributes?

GeoPackage stores attributes in standard SQL columns with no field name length restrictions, unlike Shapefile. Block attributes from DXF are extracted and stored as columns. The DXF layer name, entity type, color, and linetype are all captured as standard attribute columns.

Can I open the resulting GeoPackage directly in QGIS or ArcGIS Pro?

Yes. Both QGIS and ArcGIS Pro support GeoPackage natively without any plugins. In QGIS, drag the .gpkg file onto the canvas; all layers will appear in the Add Layers dialog. In ArcGIS Pro, add it via the Catalog pane as a database connection.

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