GPX Files Explained: The Universal Format for GPS Data

GPX files are the universal language for GPS data, working across hundreds of devices and applications from Garmin watches to smartphone apps. If you've ever downloaded a hiking trail, shared a route with a friend, or exported waypoints from a navigation app, you've encountered this format. Understanding GPX empowers you to move your location data freely between any platform.

What GPX Files Actually Are

GPX stands for GPS Exchange Format, and it's exactly what the name suggests: a standardized way to exchange GPS data between different programs and devices. Created in 2002, GPX is built on XML, which means it's both human-readable and machine-parseable. You can open a GPX file in any text editor and actually understand what you're looking at.

The format was designed by Topografix and released as an open standard, which is crucial to its success. Unlike proprietary formats that lock you into specific ecosystems, anyone can create software that reads and writes GPX files without paying licensing fees or asking permission. This openness led to near-universal adoption.

The Three Building Blocks of GPX Files

GPX files can contain three types of geographic data, each serving a different purpose.

Waypoints are individual points of interest. Think of them as digital pins on a map. Each waypoint has a latitude, longitude, and usually a name. You might use waypoints to mark a trailhead, a scenic viewpoint, or a campsite. When you export your Notion places to GPX through Notion to Maps, each location becomes a waypoint.

Tracks represent paths you've actually traveled. When your GPS device or phone records your movement during a hike, it creates a track—a series of points connected in sequence, often with timestamps. Tracks are great for reviewing where you've been or sharing your exact route with others.

Routes are planned paths you intend to follow. Unlike tracks, which are recorded after the fact, routes are created beforehand. They consist of waypoints connected in order, representing turn-by-turn navigation. Your GPS device can guide you along a route, alerting you when to turn.

Inside a GPX File

Here's what a simple GPX file looks like under the hood:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<gpx version="1.1" creator="Notion to Maps">
  <metadata>
    <name>My Travel Wishlist</name>
  </metadata>
  <wpt lat="45.5231" lon="-122.6765">
    <name>Powell's Books</name>
    <desc>World's largest independent bookstore</desc>
  </wpt>
  <wpt lat="45.5122" lon="-122.6587">
    <name>Voodoo Doughnut</name>
    <desc>Famous Portland doughnut shop</desc>
  </wpt>
</gpx>

The structure is straightforward. The gpx element wraps everything, with metadata about the file at the top. Each wpt element represents a waypoint with latitude and longitude as attributes, and child elements for the name and description. Tracks and routes follow similar patterns with their own element types.

Universal Compatibility

The real magic of GPX is where it works. Here are some examples of platforms that support GPX:

This broad compatibility means you can record a track on your Garmin, upload it to Strava for analysis, share it with a friend who uses Komoot, and they can load it on their Suunto watch. The data flows freely between ecosystems because they all support GPX.

Why GPX Became the Standard

Several factors contributed to GPX's dominance. The open standard meant no single company controlled it, encouraging widespread adoption. The XML foundation made it relatively straightforward for developers to implement. And the format struck the right balance between simplicity and capability—complex enough to handle real-world GPS data, simple enough that developers could write parsers without extensive specialized knowledge.

Timing helped too. GPX emerged just as consumer GPS devices were becoming mainstream and before any proprietary format could establish dominance. It filled a vacuum at exactly the right moment.

Practical Implications

Understanding GPX empowers you to move your location data freely. That restaurant list in Notion? Export it to GPX and load it on your phone for your next trip. The hiking trails you've collected in AllTrails? Export them and import into Gaia GPS for better offline maps. Your travel wishlist becomes portable, not trapped in any single application.

This is the philosophy behind Notion to Maps. Your places shouldn't be locked in Notion, inaccessible when you actually need them. By exporting to GPX, you're converting your carefully curated locations into a format that works everywhere—from dedicated GPS handhelds to smartphone apps to desktop mapping software. Your data, truly portable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use GPX files without internet?

Yes, GPX files work completely offline. Once you've loaded a GPX file onto your device or into an app like Gaia GPS, the waypoints are stored locally. Your phone or GPS device communicates directly with satellites to determine your position—no cellular or WiFi connection required. This makes GPX essential for backcountry navigation where connectivity is unreliable.

What apps support GPX format?

Nearly every GPS and navigation app supports GPX. Popular options include Garmin Connect, Gaia GPS, AllTrails, Komoot, Strava, OsmAnd, Maps.me, and Google Earth. Desktop software like QGIS, CalTopo, and Garmin BaseCamp also read GPX files. If an app deals with GPS data, it almost certainly supports GPX import and export.

What's the difference between GPX waypoints and tracks?

Waypoints are individual points of interest—single locations with coordinates, a name, and optional description. Tracks are recorded paths showing where you've actually traveled, consisting of many sequential points with timestamps. Think of waypoints as destinations and tracks as the journey between them. When you export from Notion to Maps, your places become waypoints.

How do I transfer GPX files to my Garmin device?

You have several options: upload to Garmin Connect web and sync via the phone app, connect your device via USB and copy the GPX file to the appropriate folder (usually GARMIN/GPX), or use Garmin BaseCamp software for more control. The exact method depends on your specific Garmin device model.

Can I convert GPX to other formats like KML?

Yes, GPX converts easily to other geo formats. Tools like GPS Visualizer, GPSBabel, and QGIS can convert between GPX, KML, GeoJSON, and other formats. Notion to Maps exports directly to multiple formats, so you can download whichever you need without manual conversion.