Choosing the Right Geospatial File Format

Geospatial data comes in many formats, each with different strengths. Here is a practical guide to help you choose the right one for your project.

GeoJSON (.geojson, .json)

The most web-friendly format. It is plain text, human-readable, and works natively with JavaScript mapping libraries. GeoJSON supports points, lines, polygons, and their properties in a single file. Best for: web applications, APIs, small to medium datasets, sharing.

Shapefile (.shp)

The industry standard for GIS data. A "shapefile" is actually a collection of files (.shp, .shx, .dbf, .prj) that store geometry and attributes together. It has wide tool support but requires multiple files. Best for: data exchange with GIS professionals, large datasets, government data.

KML / KMZ (.kml, .kmz)

Originally developed for Google Earth, KML is an XML-based format that supports rich styling and 3D features. KMZ is a compressed version. Best for: Google Earth workflows, data with custom styles, consumer-facing applications.

GeoTIFF (.tif)

A raster format with embedded georeferencing information. Used for satellite imagery, elevation data, and other gridded datasets. MapDataHub renders GeoTIFFs as raster tiles on the map. Best for: satellite imagery, DEMs, large continuous surfaces.

GPX (.gpx)

The standard format for GPS data. Contains tracks, routes, and waypoints from GPS devices and fitness apps. Best for: hiking trails, cycling routes, field surveys, fitness tracking data.

WKT / WKB (.wkt, .wkb)

Text and binary representations of geometry. Commonly used in databases and data exchange. Best for: database imports, programmatic data generation, minimal overhead.