Convert GPX to GeoPackage Online — Free GIS Converter

Converting GPX to GeoPackage transforms lightweight GPS exchange files into a robust, standards-compliant SQLite database that stores multiple geometry layers, rich attributes, and custom coordinate reference systems — all in a single portable file.

Why convert GPX to GeoPackage?

GPX is intentionally minimal — it handles waypoints, routes, and tracks, but offers almost no attribute storage beyond name and description, and it cannot hold polygon features or multiple layers. GeoPackage is the OGC-standardized modern replacement for Shapefile, and it solves all of these gaps. If you are building an offline field data collection workflow with QGIS or ArcGIS Pro, storing GPS tracks alongside reference layers, or need to attach rich metadata to your recorded routes, GeoPackage is the right destination. It stores everything in a single .gpkg file that travels easily to the field on a tablet or rugged laptop without requiring network access.

Why use geodata.plus

• Free tier includes 3 conversions per month with no account required
• Automatic format and CRS detection on upload
• Optional reprojection to any EPSG code — GeoPackage supports any CRS natively
• Entirely browser-based — no QGIS installation needed to perform the conversion
• Encrypted upload (TLS); files stored in Cloudflare R2, automatically deleted after 2 days (free) or 7 days (Pro)
• Waypoints and tracks are stored as separate named layers within the GeoPackage

How it works

1. Upload your .gpx file to geodata.plus
2. geodata.plus detects the GPX format and confirms WGS 84 (EPSG:4326) as the source CRS
3. Select GeoPackage as the output format; choose a target CRS if your workflow requires projected coordinates
4. Download your .gpkg file and open it in QGIS, ArcGIS Pro, or any GDAL-based tool

GPX format

GPX (GPS Exchange Format) is an XML standard designed for GPS data portability across devices and apps. All data is stored in WGS 84 geographic coordinates. Three element types carry geometry: <wpt> (waypoints as points), <rte> (routes as ordered point sequences), and <trk> (tracks, potentially multi-segmented). GPX track points can carry timestamps, elevation, and fitness sensor readings, but the format offers no mechanism for storing polygon features, custom projections, or rich tabular attributes. It is designed for exchange, not for analysis.

| Property | Value | |---|---| | Extension | .gpx | | Type | Vector, single-file XML | | Coordinate system | WGS 84 (EPSG:4326) only | | Geometry types | Points (waypoints), LineStrings (routes/tracks) | | Common software | Garmin, Strava, AllTrails, Komoot, QGIS, ArcGIS |

GeoPackage format

GeoPackage is an OGC open standard built on SQLite, making it a fully self-contained relational database in a single binary file. It supports any coordinate reference system, multiple geometry types within the same file (stored in separate tables), and large datasets well beyond the 2 GB Shapefile limit. GeoPackage is supported natively in QGIS, ArcGIS Pro, GDAL/OGR, and most mobile GIS platforms. Its SQLite foundation means you can inspect or query it with any SQLite browser, and it is well-suited for offline workflows where a full database server is not available.

| Property | Value | |---|---| | Extension | .gpkg | | Type | Vector, single-file (SQLite) | | Coordinate system | Any CRS | | Geometry types | Point, LineString, Polygon, Multi- variants | | Common software | QGIS, ArcGIS Pro, GDAL/OGR, mobile GIS, offline workflows |

Frequently asked questions

Will my GPX tracks and waypoints end up in separate layers inside the GeoPackage? Yes. geodata.plus stores GPX waypoints in a waypoints layer and track geometry in a tracks layer within the same .gpkg file. When you open the GeoPackage in QGIS, both layers appear in the layer panel and can be styled independently.

Does GeoPackage preserve the timestamps and elevation from my GPX track points? Yes. GeoPackage supports proper datetime field types (unlike Shapefile), so track point timestamps are stored as actual datetime values. Elevation is stored as the Z coordinate in the geometry column, preserving your full 3D track profile.

Is GeoPackage better than Shapefile for storing my converted GPS data? For most modern workflows, yes. GeoPackage has no 10-character field name limit, supports datetime types natively, can hold multiple layers in one file, and has no 2 GB size cap. If your destination software supports GeoPackage — QGIS and ArcGIS Pro both do — it is the better long-term storage format for converted GPS data.