How to open a GPX file
Here is how to open a GPX file the fast way: drop it into a browser-based viewer — no app to install and nothing
to upload. Open gpxviewer.app, drag your .gpx file onto the page, and the route
appears on a map with distance, elevation, and speed. It works the same on iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows.
Open your GPX file now
Drag a .gpx file onto the viewer to see it on an interactive map with speed heat-zones and an elevation profile. The file is read in your browser and never leaves your device.
Open a GPX file on your platform
The browser method above is the same everywhere. If you'd rather open the file in a specific app — or send it to one — pick your platform for exact steps:
Open a GPX file in a specific app
Sometimes you don't just want to view the track — you want it inside the app you actually train or navigate with. Which app to send it to depends on what you're doing: route planning, recording, or following a course. See open a GPX file in a specific app for step-by-step guides to Strava, Garmin, komoot, Google Maps, Gaia GPS, OsmAnd, Suunto, COROS and more — each leading with the one fact that matters for that platform.
What you'll see when it opens
In gpxviewer.app, once the file loads you get:
- The full route drawn on an interactive map, coloured by speed heat-zones.
- Distance, moving duration, elevation gain and loss, and average and maximum speed.
- An elevation profile and an interactive speed chart you can scrub.
- An animated replay of the track, and — for boats — speed in knots.
None of this requires an account, and the file is never sent to a server.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to open a GPX file?
Open it in a browser-based viewer. Go to gpxviewer.app and drag your .gpx file onto the page — the route appears on a map in a second or two, with no app to install and no upload. This works the same on iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows.
Why won't my GPX file open when I double-click it?
Most operating systems have no default app for the .gpx extension, so a double-click does nothing or opens a text editor showing raw XML. Instead, open a GPX viewer first and load the file from there, or drag the file onto a browser window.
Can I open a GPX file in Google Maps or Apple Maps?
Not directly. Apple Maps cannot import GPX at all, and Google Maps only imports via a My Maps workaround. To simply see the route, a dedicated GPX viewer or Google Earth is faster and more reliable.